» Team

The Gulit Project is the result of a group of friends and collaborators from around the world sharing the common goal to improve public space as well as reducing urban waste. From Ethiopia, Spain, Germany, Venezuela and Canada, the international team have been working in the field of architecture and community engagement in Latin America, Europe and Africa.

In partnership with IDEO and Tena Kebena, a sustainability awareness organization, the project is directed by Desalegn Firew (Tena Kabena) and Addis Ababa based architects, Melat Assefa and Julia Mauser with support from the international studio, uAbureau.

Desalegn Firew

Director + Lawyer

Desalegn is a lawyer and sustainable development agent based in Addis Ababa. He is Tena Kebena’s Co-founder and has been its Executive Director since 2014. He is responsible for the project’s overall monitoring and evaluation, and it’s communication to beneficiaries and local government stakeholders.

Mezgebu Tigabu

Finance specialist + Teacher

Mezgebu is a finance specialist and teacher based in Addis Ababa. In addition to being Tena Kebenas finance head; he handles the day to day activities of the project.

Melat Assefa

Architect + Researcher

Melat is a Addis Ababa based architect and researcher. She is a lecturer and former chair for Computer Aided Design and Geo-Informatics (2011-2014) at EiABC. Along with Julia Mauser, Melat is a project leaders coordinating the day-to-day operation of the project.

Julia Mauser

Architect + Researcher

Julia is a German architect currently based in Addis Ababa. Julia is a project leader focusing on the day-to-day coordination of the project as well as the financial administration

Nicholas Waissbluth

Architect + Researcher

Nicholas is a Canadian architect and cofounder of uAbureau, an international design studio based in Spain and Canada, and the Insitu Foundation. Along with James and Rafael, Nicholas brings a background in architecture, technology and participatory design.

Rafael Machado

Architects + Community Engagement Specialist

Rafael is a Venezuelan architect with an emphasis in developing projects through community engagement. Rafael is also a cofounder of the Insitu Foundation where he currently leading two projects in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

James Brazil

Designer + Master Builder

James is a designer and master-builder based in Barcelona, Spain. A cofounder of uAbureau and the Insitu Foundation, he is driven by exploring new ways of building, construction technologies and working with local citizens.

Yabesra Akalu

Student + Volunteer

Yabesra is a university student based in Germany who is volunteering for Tena Kebena as part of its partner organization, artefact. Yabesra has been supporting the project in: developing of the different prototypes; and carrying out questionnaires in the market community of Addis Ababa.

Bezawit Bekele

Student + Volunteer

Bezawit is a university student based in Addis Ababa. She is on her fourth year Architecture program in EiABC and is particularly interested in contemporary architecture and graphics design. She is supporting the project in: doing background research; carrying out questionnaires in the market community; and developing prototypes.

ADMINISTRATION & SUSTAINABILITY PARTNER

Tena Kebena is an Addis Ababa based NGO whose mission is to enable citizens to free themselves from poverty, lead a healthy productive lives by actively promote urban agriculture and educating the community on environmental , HIV/AIDS, gender and social issues.

Within the Gulit Project, Tena Kebena is a primary consultant and coordinating partner as well as focusing on the development of the project within the Agoza Market. Led by Desalegn Fikre and Mezgebu Tigabu, they bring over 10 years of experience working in sustainable development, and community engagement.

Website Link: http://www.tenakebena.org/

PROTOTYPE + CLAY RESEARCH PARTNERS

Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia (TLH Ethiopia) is a Nonprofit, Non-Governmental organization established in June 2004. Re registered on October 30, 2009 as Ethiopian Residents Charity Organization according to the new Civil Societies Legislation. www.timretlehiwotethiopia.com

Shega, is a joint social enterprise of TimretLehiwot Ethiopia (TLH Ethiopia) and designlab, established in 2013 and work on addressing the needs of disadvantaged artisan women by empowering them to tackle their socio economic needs.

Focusing mainly on artisan mothers and girls who live in poverty, Shega has aimed to empower them economically by exploring the relationship between similar schemes to foster future alliance opportunities besides promoting this creative sector.

Shega Initiative will work on Ethiopia’s artisan craft production skill, giving the country much potential to develop cultural tourism. Jewellery, embroidery, pottery, photo framework and leather work are the major ones among others. Shega will also establish a research center that will focus on developing the skills of local artisans to better benefit from their works.

www.shegacrafts.com

FUNDING PARTNER

An US based organization that provides technical and financial support to develop ideas to strengthen urban facilities to improve climate resilience.

RESEARCH PARTNER

The Ethiopian Institute for Architecture, Building Construction and City development (EiABC) which is under the umbrella of Addis Ababa University, offers teaching programs on Bachelor, Master and PhD level, all related to the built environment. Its curriculum is designed in close consultation with the building industry in Ethiopia. The institute also provides consultancy services to potential partners, who are interested in exchange of ideas, practical solutions, and standardizations. For more information visit EiABC’s website: www.eiabc.edu.et