Planting Future: Design-Build Project in Uganda

Phase 4 of Construction – August / September

The fourth construction phase in the summer of 2023 marked a continuation of the successful collaboration between students from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and Uganda Martyrs University. This project phase began with a three-month planning phase in Augsburg. The ASA team worked alongside the student team from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. During this time, the previous construction phases were evaluated and the floor plan of the guest house was optimized. In addition, a pavilion was designed to serve as both a gathering place and an outdoor classroom. Plans were also made to plant the surrounding hills with native species.
The six students from the ASA team began the initial preparations on the construction site in July. The team from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences followed in August. For two weeks, students from Uganda Martyrs University also joined the construction site, so that—together with local workers and volunteers—up to 50 people were helping out at the same time.

The tasks on site were divided among small groups to work efficiently on several projects at the same time.

Phase 5 – July through October 2025

The fifth construction phase was prepared during the summer semester of 2025 and continued the collaboration between students from Uganda Martyrs University and Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. The focus was on building furniture for the buildings that had already been completed. To this end, prototypes were first developed and tested in Augsburg in collaboration with ASA students from Uganda; their design was then adapted in Uganda to the hardwood available there. 

Another important task was carrying out minor repairs and maintenance work. For example, the leaking roof of the lobby in the learning cluster was replaced and equipped with new photovoltaic panels, and the cracked rammed-earth floor of the pavilion was replaced, with its long-term durability ensured by applying new layers in combination with a maintenance plan. In addition, new construction projects took place, such as building a house for a local farmer that includes a small retail space and erecting viewing platforms overlooking the expansive hilly landscape. At the same time, the reforestation project is continuing: with the involvement of residents from surrounding villages, additional native plants were cultivated, promoting biodiversity and ecological connectivity in the area.

The ASA team arrived at the construction site first and immediately began work on the guest house’s foundation. For this, a strip of soil was excavated, and a leveling layer of concrete was poured to serve as the base for the natural stone foundation. This required excavating the ground to a depth of about half a meter. The formwork for the floor slab could then be prepared and the concrete poured. Thanks to the ASA team, the preparations were completed, allowing the THA team to begin the masonry work.

Once the foundation slab had hardened, we were able to begin building the walls. Under the guidance of the local volunteers, we mixed the mortar for the walls ourselves using a specific ratio of sand to cement.

The bricks were then transported from the production site to the construction site via a human chain.

To ensure that the rows of bricks with mortar remain level, a brick is placed at each end and checked with a level. The corner bricks are aligned vertically using a plumb line. A string is stretched across the corners so that the remaining bricks can be laid accordingly. Since the walls were not to be plastered, the joints were subsequently touched up to ensure a uniform appearance.

To prepare the roof structure, we first had to pour a ring beam. To do this, we prepared the formwork and rebar cages simultaneously. We then connected and bolted the formwork together on site. Once everything was ready, we were able to install the rebar cages. The ring beam was now ready to be poured. The concrete mix was prepared and poured into the formwork using various containers.

After a few days, the concrete had cured and the formwork could be removed.

From building the last guesthouse, we knew how difficult it is to obtain uniform beams of sufficient length. That’s why, during the planning phase in Augsburg, we developed a design consisting of several parts that can be bolted together. This allowed us to work flexibly with the beams available from Uganda. We brought the appropriate screws for the structure with us from Germany.
The advantage of this became apparent on the construction site, as the individual parts could be prefabricated and transported. Before the trusses were assembled, the structural integrity had to be checked once again. To do this, we sat on one of the trusses together as a test and determined that it could support approximately 900 to 1,000 kg. Once the structural integrity had been verified, the trusses were installed on the ring beam and the load-bearing center wall within two days.

Once the roof supports were in place, we moved on to installing the roof sheathing. We opted for wooden sheathing to create a wood-grain appearance on the interior. We then had to screw another layer of furring strips and counter-furring strips onto the sheathing; in the next step, we would fill the space between them with clay.

Another problem that had to be solved during the planning phase was soundproofing the roof, since a metal roof can get very loud during heavy rain. For soundproofing, we opted for a layer of clay as an eco-friendly alternative to concrete. Local workers helped us with this. The clay was prepared and brought to the right consistency.

The clay was packed into the cavity by hand and compacted. Once the clay cavity was filled, the roof could be covered. To ensure adequate protection from rain, we installed a metal roof. This completed the exterior work, and interior construction could begin.

Upon delivery of the eucalyptus wood, it was determined that it did not meet the ordered specifications. The logs varied in thickness, some were less straight than others, and did not have the expected diameter of 10 cm, which had been factored into the calculations. The straightest pieces of wood, with a diameter of 7–10 cm, were selected for the supports. These were then screwed to the metal bases, which provide stability and protect against moisture. To build at this height, we needed a central post at least 8 m tall, which was cut down in the local style using a panga—a type of machete—and buried about 1.2 m deep.

To strengthen our structure and in response to the smaller dimensions, we decided to connect the original single ring anchor to a second one using diagonal braces. We then cut the seven main rafters to length on the ground, trimmed them to the proper angle, and screwed them onto the center post. Next, an additional rafter was bolted to the side of each of the seven main rafters. Three inner rings and diagonal braces on the main rafters reinforce the structure.
The battens, which were to form the substructure of the grass roof, were measured, cut to length, and nailed in place.

The grass for the roof was delivered to the construction site and had to be stored in such a way that no moisture could accumulate. As soon as the pavilion was ready for roofing, the grass was carried on foot from the storage area to the pavilion. Workers skilled in this traditional craft came to help with the grass roof. After a week of manual labor, the roof was finished.

The pavilion is intended to be used as an outdoor classroom and offers a shady yet dry spot with a wonderful view.