Design For Dignity

Design by the People For the People

BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

In a context where one billion people living in poor and insecure conditions in the world today, and in light of the complexity of challenges that face human settlements development, an integrated, interdisciplinary approach is called for to tackle its entangled existence. At Oecumene Studio, we believe that Architecture is redefining itself today to become a process to build societies, empower communities and support them to transmit their leg through generations.

Design possibilities For positive Impact

oecumene écoumène\ecumene\oikumen

"In Augustin Berque’s opinion, the human milieux did not only reveal the planet or the biosphere, but referred to the Ecumene, i.e. the relationship between humanity and Earthly space. In other words, the Ecumene comprised the human body’s process of extension towards everything external to it: “The Ecumene is our flesh, it is part of our body”(Berque, 1998, p.82)

Oliviero Frattolillo, 2014 Share

People deserve to live in better places where they can raise their families, feel secure, feel empowered. We foreseen Architecture as a tool to rebond, reconcile, the Human with his 'Milieux': The 'Ecumene'.

Oecumene Studio is the evolving hub for creative processes, complex and connected mechanisms, disciplines, knowledge and people to rebuild resilient societies by bridging the gap between the Know and the Know how (Theory and practice). Oecumene Studio is a research, design & build social cooperative and more. We like the idea that we don't fit into a mould.

Insaf Ben Othmane

Founder

Creative solutions with a twist

Participatory and collaborative urban planning and design

Sustainable architecture & Cost effective construction

Research, Training and Advisory

1. Strategic Integrated planning

We are continuously developing strategies for design practices based on our field experiences and on intense collaboration with actors from different fields. In light of the complexity of challenges that face human settlements nowadays, an interdisciplinary approach is a necessity.

2. sustainable solutions

We develop contextualised design solutions founded on creative processes combined with human centred methodologies. Our projects aims to be culturally, environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. We prioritise environmental performance, and use of local ressources. We work with local actors to offer high quality, affordable buildings and spaces.

3 . vision

Expanding the definition of architecture and space practices beyond their narrow image of posh design and elitism. Design is a powerful tool to address today’s challenges of socio-spatial justice, human dignity and empowerment for positive, bigger impact.

>15

Initiated & implemented deisgn and build projects

>30

Participatory workshops

>5

Public free Exhibitions & Symposiums

>10000

BENEFICIARIES

community based projects

INTEGRATED and COLLABORATIVE APPROACH applied THROUGHOUT our community based PROJECTs

Our Missions partners

thinking outside
the box is our motto

We are here to offer participatory need assessments, research studies, tailored solutions, advisory, training support, innovative projects and initiatives and training support FOR States government non- governmental organizations, private entities and individuals.

OS WeAfrica

Oecumene Studio – WeAfrica (OS WeAfrica) founded in 2020 – operating since 2019. It is a registered social cooperative based in Mpigi, Uganda , which focuses to empower communities and in particular women through the design and construction of buildings and spaces. Oecumene Studio relies on action based research and design & build processes in ways that promote equity, inclusion and social economic development. OS WeAfrica operates as their own full-service designer & builder. OS WeAfrica aims to support women and to develop their self-confidence in a male dominated country. Women are able to create a stable income, and to take on leadership roles across OS WeAfrica worksites and integrated development projects and to gain skills and abilities, opening the opportunities to access a wider range of careers in the design and construction sectors.