Common River

Placemaking

Common River is a US-based NGO implementing a community development program in the heart of coffee growing region in Ethiopia. Nestled in the Great Rift Valley, 300 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, it is rich with resources, diligent workers, creative thinkers…ripe with possibility. Common River’s mission is to empower the community to become balanced, productive and self-sustaining for others to witness and replicate.

Laraarchitecture was assigned the task of translating the organization’s mission statement into a land use plan for the 10-acre site that would include a school for vulnerable children, community medical clinic, sanitation and river restoration projects, and a volunteer campus.

Lara’s visit to Common River is a pivotal moment in her personal story and she remains deeply involved as funding is secured and the project continues to be implemented in phases.

group of Ethiopian women lined up shoulder to shoulder with some smiling at Common River

children sitting on floor at tables drawing pictures in a classroom at common river in Ethiopia

A sense of place and purpose are defined in this development plan created on site and being utilized as a road map and a fundraising tool for organization.

Ethiopian man working with Bamboo to build hut

details on Bamboo huts at common river in Ethiopia

Ethiopian man working on building a bamboo hut

two story bamboo hut at Common River in Ethiopia

The vernacular Sidamo Hut is studied and reinvented with the addition of bright color and multi-level construction.

rain collecting catchment at Common River in Ethiopia

An on-the-ground laboratory for design thinking... design for the other 90%.