[pull_quote_center]As we try to influence through our buildings…we are keen on taking our designs one step further![/pull_quote_center]
By Ruth Girma
Eskinder Woubetu Architects is an architectural firm based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Established 8 years ago, it is a young yet robust firm with 15 employees. Having a close interaction with the staffs and clients, the firm flickers the flare and enthusiasm in what it does.
The firm was founded by Eskinder Woubetu, a holder of a Bachelor of Architecture and Urban Planning Degree and also a Master’s Degree in Urban Design in Ethiopian Institution of Architecture, Buildings and Construction (EIABC), AAU. He has practiced architecture for the last 20 years.
The firm which provides consultancy services in building and infrastructure is also a member of Association of Ethiopian Architects (AEA), African Union of architects(AUA) and Union of International Architects (UIA).
Primary Motive
The firm which is keen on working on details while providing quality service for its clients tends to stay innovative in its designs, and creates sturdy buildings that reflect a touch of cultural resemblance and climate responsibility.
The firm vigorously seeks to move in a direction which can take architectural design in Ethiopia one step further with designs that can be labeled “Ethiopian”.
Projects
The firm has numerous projects at hand and is mostly involved in construction genres like commercial buildings, residences, apartments, hotels, recreations centers.
Major projects include the United Bank Headquarters, a shopping center in Merkato area, a shopping mall around CMC area, a mixed use building around Ayat area, a community center around Bole area, a 7 storey luxury hotel around Bole area and a 4 star luxury hotel in Gonder.
Of the listed projects, some finished and others on the go, the firm singles out the United Bank as a breakthrough project for several reasons not least of which is the fact that they won the project in an architectural competition in which there were 70 entries, 41 nominees, and 7 finalists. The project is 30,000m2, 33 stories and is currently on a final design stage.
Services
“I believe in principle, an architect should be a man of integrity and when given a project,one has to offer priorities to bring positive changes to the surrounding environment with respect to their context and settings”. Says Eskinder Woubetu
Woubetu stresses that as architects the firm attempts to give good quality service and punctuality in project delivery. Expecting customers to respect the firms design process including the way it’s designed, the thoughts and principles behind the design, in return it makes an effort to serve clients with absolute integrity, taking in to account their ideas and thoughts.
“An Architect is the author and as such is the rightful owner responsible for the successful execution of his buildings despite the challenges faced throughout the construction”. Says Eskinder Woubetu
Future
Woubetu concludes by saying “It’s time we pause and think about the trend, the development and the fast pace of construction that is going on in Addis Ababa.
What would be the face of Addis Ababa in about 10 years? So much infrastructure, buildings civil works, reeve development projects going across; are we doing them the right way? Does it cross our minds how the next generation would ask ‘what kind of architects were these people? Did they really care about their city?’ crucial questionsthat run in my mind every day”.
