Localworks

Building an East African Movement for Green Construction

Last Friday’s Circular Building Experience by CoolBricks Uganda brought together innovators, policymakers, and young changemakers united by a shared vision for a more sustainable, circular built environment in Uganda and beyond.

It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and creativity of a new generation reimagining how we build – from CoolBricks‘ unstabilised compressed earth blocks to engineered bamboo products showcased by Amabanda and Studio Akeka to our timber-based EcoPrefab range of prefabricated school buildings. All these innovations reflect a growing movement determined to make sustainable construction not just possible, but mainstream.

The energy in the room was contagious which was a clear signal that the future of green building in East Africa has already begun. The biggest roadblock is not a lack of regulatory frameworks or the unavailability of funding, but our own inability to think big and make the change happen. East Africa can become the world’s model region for green construction, and together we will make it work!

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵

The Bidi Bidi Music & Arts Centre, designed in collaboration with HASSELL, features a recording studio. Aligned to the green ambitions of the project, the question how sound-proofing may be achieved without relying on imported chemical material came up very early on in the design process.

Hassell’s Lead Architect Xavier De Kestelier introduced us to the magic of Helmholtz Resonators which absorb sound at specific frequencies. With the support from Arup UK’s acoustic engineers the idea of an ‘earthen Helmholtz Resonator’ was born: a cavity wall made of compressed earth blocks, with the inner skin perforated towards the corners of the room and protruding towards the centre, and filled with vermiculite. This mica-like flaky mineral, mined in Uganda’s Mount Elgon region, is known for its sound-absorbing properties. Ordinary mosquito net holds the flakes in place.

At Localworks, we like to try out such ideas in real size, and ideally right in our studio. This is how we ended up with a CEB Helmholtz in the middle of our office, and the Music & Arts Centre with a rather attractive-looking textured wall in theirs.

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𝗣𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿

EcoPrefab finishes its buildings with pigmented lime plaster – a natural, breathable material that offers both aesthetic and environmental benefits.

Made by mixing lime with natural pigments, this plaster eliminates the need for synthetic paints or chemical coatings. The result is a rich, earthy finish that reflects the local context and ages beautifully over time.

Unlike cementitious plaster, which blocks humidity from passing through walls, or chemical paints, which are toxic, costly and require frequent repainting, lime plaster regulates indoor humidity by allowing walls to breathe, helping to prevent moisture build-up and mould. It is also highly durable, low-maintenance, and contributes to a healthy indoor environment.

Pigmented lime plaster enables EcoPrefab to combine performance, sustainability and visual character in a single finish.

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
There’s nothing high-tech about a stone foundation, and that’s the point. It’s durable, local, low-carbon, and it works. Popularised by Frank Lloyd Wright, this age-old technique is highly suitable for East Africa where we are grappling with a lot of rain and humidity. Drystack stone has no capillary action; when combined with a ground beam, a well-laid stone foundation does exactly what it needs to do: carry the structure for generations and provide a dry basis for floors and walls above.

All our EcoPrefab pre-fabricated school buildings are built on stone because it's readily available in many parts of Uganda and requires little processing. No cement blocks trucked in from far away. No energy-hungry concrete pours. Easy to build.

Very often innovation means going back to what worked for centuries but was forgotten when the cement industry took over.

Building with Timber: Responsible Forestry and Green Construction

Date: 17th September 2025.
Online: Register here https://bit.ly/3Jww1PT
In-person: Fair Ventures’ Timber Innovation Centre, Kampala Road https://bit.ly/4fVvVgC

Meet the speakers
Gaster Kiyingi – Director, Tree Talk Plus

Gaster Kiyingi is the Director of Tree Talk Plus and a committed advocate for tree planting, sustainable forest management, and wood-use innovation. A strong supporter of FSC certification in Uganda, he has extensive experience in the forest sector, having worked with various national and international organizations. Now a consultant in forestry, environment, and natural resources management, he continues to promote conservation, sustainable wood value chains, and climate change resilience.

Milan Heilmann – Managing Director, SuperTimber 2000 & Head of Business Development, CPS Africa

He is leading efforts in sustainable urban development and establishing East Africa’s first engineered timber facility. His work focuses on leveraging technology and innovation to build local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and promote affordable, sustainable housing. Passionate about timber as a key material for Africa’s urban future, he positions his companies as leaders in circular, carbon-negative building systems that support communities, job creation, and green investment.

Edson Agume – Director Localworks; Director of Civil and Structural Engineering at Aquila Gallery Ltd.

Edson is a registered Civil Engineer and a corporate member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, with over fifteen years of experience in structural and civil design and construction supervision. He is the lead structural engineer at Localworks, a multidisciplinary design and build collaborative based in Kampala, Uganda, specialising in the design and realisation of ecological architecture in East Africa. Edson focuses on the innovative use of local and natural materials, pushing their boundaries to create sustainable and contextually appropriate structures. He also serves as a trustee for the Localworks Foundation.

In EcoPrefab classrooms, the blackboard wall does more than hold chalk.

A narrow skylight just above it brings in soft, indirect daylight enough to illuminate the front of the room without glare. Made of a translucent sheet, it is wide enough to let a good amount of light into the classroom, but narrow enough not to reveal too much of the sheet’s discoloration that will naturally occur over time.

It’s a simple idea, but it makes a big difference. Teachers don’t have to squint in the dark or rely on artificial lights. Students can see the board clearly, even on cloudy days.

Lighting design doesn’t always need wires. Sometimes, a well-placed roof window does the job better.

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‘So So Local’

…is a Ugandan way of describing something that is of really poor quality.

To the contrary, Localworks wants to show that it is possible to create amazing architecture with local materials, and that the region is full of great craftsmen who produce innovation, refinement and beauty every day; in short, that ‘local’ in fact ‘works’ really well!

Sawdust Lime Infill Blocks

EcoPrefab uses proprietary sawdust-lime-cement infill blocks as part of its walling system. These blocks are made from sawdust and carbide lime (both waste products) mixed with cement.

By turning industrial waste into building material, the system reduces environmental impact while improving resource efficiency.

The blocks are low-carbon, breathable, and provide natural thermal and acoustic comfort, helping to keep classrooms and homes cooler without mechanical cooling. They also add the benefit of sound insulation, creating more comfortable indoor environments.

The lime prevents biodegradation, giving the blocks durability and resilience over time. Used as infill within a larger wall system, they reduce reliance on conventional, carbon-intensive materials such as bricks or concrete blocks while offering an affordable and climate-appropriate solution for Uganda.

Building with Timber: Responsible Forestry and Green Construction

Join us for the next Localtalks session on the future of sustainable timber in East Africa. This hybrid event will explore forest management, innovative building techniques, and resilient construction practices.

Date: 17th September 2025.

Online: Register here https://bit.ly/3Jww1PT
In-person: Fair Ventures’ Timber Innovation Centre, Kampala Road (https://bit.ly/4fVvVgC)

Featured Speakers:
Gaster Kiyingi – Director, Talk Plus
Milan Heilmann – Managing Director, 2000 & Head of Business Development, CPS Africa
Edson Agume – Director & Head of Engineering, Localworks

Breeze walls

These are walls designed with intention—structured to let air move through a space without compromising privacy or security. They do more than look interesting; they serve a real function.

In hot climates, breeze walls create natural cross-ventilation, reducing the need for fans or air conditioning. They allow buildings to stay cooler during the day by letting hot air escape and fresh air in. At the same time, they filter sunlight, soften glare, and create visual interest through light and shadow.

Built using simple materials and smart spacing, breeze walls offer comfort by design. They’re a practical, low-energy solution for better indoor environments—and a reminder that architecture doesn't always need to be high-tech to be effective.

Entusi is a community-focused resort and retreat centre on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale.

Phase 1—renovation of the main building, reception, and dining area—is nearing completion. On our recent site visit, we were glad to see the suspended steel chimney fully installed. With snag rectification now underway, this phase is in its final stretch.