Melaku Center Ethiopian building, Tigray architecture, East Africa design property images
Melaku Center Ethiopia : Building in Tigray
New Architectural Development in east Africa design by Xavier Vilalta Architect, Spain
post updated 18 May 2026
Architect: Xavier Vilalta
The Melaku Center – Tigray Building
Project developed for a Spanish Foundation working in Ethiopia, northeast Africa.
2 Oct 2009
Melaku Center Ethiopia
The Melaku Center will be new center of learning, working and projection for the inhabitants of Mek’ele, capital of the Tigray, a region of the north of Ethiopia.
The building will be a reference model of sustainable development in Africa, from the design of the buildings to the program itself. The whole project will be a ecosystem of knowledge, development and natural resources.
Geometry and architecture integration
A common parameter in the traditional African architecture is the use of the fractal scale: small parts of the structure tend to be similar to the bigger ones, for example, the circular villages are made of circular houses.
The project master-plan geometry is based in a fractal hexagonal grid that holds the different sizes of classrooms and services. The classes are organized in small groups of three or four pieces that have the shape of a flower. Understanding the climate and the vernacular architecture of Ethiopia, the exterior spaces become the corridors of the school.
Natural ventilation
All the learning spaces have natural ventilation from both sides and the porch to access them holds the solar panels that will provide the school of electricity.
Landscape
The landscape of the center will integrate local species and the students of the center will be the researchers and gardeners for the intermediate spaces.
Solar energy
All the buildings of the project hold a photovoltaic panel network that will provide the center of electricity. Some of the energy produced will be send to the city.
Water reuse
All the water from rain will be collected in natural collectors and this will be used for drainaged of the gardening and for services.
Melaku Center – Building Information
Client: Angel Olarán Support Foundation
Architect: Xavier Vilalta
Design Team: Biagio Cardella, Zazie Maquet, Noelia Arquero, Reza Nik, Maria Rosaria Favoino
Structural Engineer: AL Enginyeria
Services Engineer: AL Enginyeria
Digital Imaging: Xavier Vilalta Studio
Construction start: Nov 2009
Xavier Vilalta Studio d ‘ Arquitectura – Melaku Center Ethiopia designers
Melaku Center Ethiopia images / information from Xavier Vilalta
Location: Ethiopia, Northeast Africa
East Africa Buildings
African Architecture Designs – chronological list
Contemporary East Africa Architectural Designs – recent selection from e-architect:
Bishoftu International Airport, Abusera, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects and Pascall+Watson Architects
image : X Universe
Pure Power, Tanzania, Eastern Africa
Design: Hong-En,Lin
render : Hong-En,Lin
National Teachers Colleges, Mubende Uganda
Design: Oubuntu-DASUDA & BKVV Architects
Eppo Karsijn
++
African Architectural Designs
Ethiopia Buildings:
British Council Building, Addis Ababa
British Council Building Africa
South African Embassy, Ethiopia
Design: MMA Architects
South African Embassy Ethiopia
Comments / photos for the Melaku Center – Ethiopian Architecture design by Xavier Vilalta Architect page welcome.
