House in Hohoe

This residential study explores a contemporary interpretation of the courtyard typology in Hohoe, a provincial town in Ghana’s Volta Region. Designed in close dialogue with the client and site, the project connects to both the urban character of its growing neighborhood and the surrounding mountain landscape.

The building positions itself at the edge of the plot, suggesting a future densification while referencing the scale of nearby homes. Rather than enclosing the site with a wall, privacy and security are integrated into the courtyard-based layout—maintaining the openness still present in much of the area.

A thin hp-surface concrete shell forms the roof, its low, horizontal silhouette responding to the terrain and orienting views toward the surrounding ridges. The roof geometry is shaped by four angled perimeter walls that relate to site contours and long vistas. A curvilinear courtyard is carved from the volume to frame a key view of the mountain ridge and sunset.

The structure sits on massive rammed concrete walls, which house built-in storage and services within their poché, contributing to the building’s passive climate performance. Inside, the layout is a layered open plan with private and social zones articulated through floor and wall modulations. The three-dimensionality of the roof is experienced from within, lending spatial depth and specificity to the compact dwelling.

Location: Hohoe, Ghana / Program: private residence / Year: 2019 - 2020 / Area: 180m2