Zuyu Living is a visionary housing project in Tamale, Ghana, designed by Ohene Twum Architecture to provide sustainable and community-oriented residences for students and young professionals. The development emphasizes environmental responsibility through the use of rammed earth construction, which offers natural insulation and reduces the building's carbon footprint. The design features passive cooling strategies, including open north facades for enhanced ventilation and south-facing overhangs to minimize solar heat gain, ensuring comfortable indoor environments without reliance on mechanical systems.
Central to Zuyu Living's ethos is the integration of communal amenities that foster a sense of belonging among residents. The project includes shaded courtyards and green spaces planted with native species, promoting social interaction and ecological sustainability. It has a rooftop hydroponic farming system, which enhances food security and water conservation. As a replicable model, Zuyu Living demonstrates how climate-responsive architecture can balance affordability, sustainability and social well-being.
Bio Ohene Twum is an award-winning architect known for visionary, context-driven designs that bridge cultures and reimagine spatial possibilities. With honors including IDA and Architecture MasterPrize awards, his work spans pavilions, homes, and urban spaces—from Ghana to the U.S.—rooted in heritage, sustainability, and bold creativity. He leads Ohene Twum Architecture with a mission to design awe-inspiring, socially resonant architecture.
Other prizes Architecture MasterPrize (2x) London International Creative Competition (2x) Inaugural IIDA Diversity in Design Award International Design Award (4x) Golden Trezzini (3x)
