Zahara
Zahara is a pediatric healthcare center located in the town of Alemgena, 18 kilometers away from Addis Ababa, the capital city. The project is noteworthy for its use of sustainable building solutions. The design includes bamboo rods combined with steel frames to create the superstructure and roof truss systems. The walls are made of mud blocks that are carefully manufactured according to contemporary construction standards. Various tests and experiments were carried out on the site, including a compressive strength test on samples of stabilized earth blocks. The compressive strength for a well-produced cement-stabilized rammed earth wall/block typically ranges between 5 and 20 MPa. Moreover, the treatment of bamboo materials was studied to determine the amount of tensile force they can carry. Unprocessed bamboo structures only last a few years, as the material attracts insects and fungus, leading to decay and loss of strength.