Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project

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Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project

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  • Project Name: Building a Woman
  • Student Name: Sarina Patel
  • Softwares/Plugins: Rhinoceros 3D , Enscape , Adobe Photoshop , Adobe Illustrator , Procreate
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Excerpt: ‘Building a Woman’ is a Masters Design Project by Sarina Patel from the ‘Bartlett School of Architecture – UCL.’ The aim of this project is to provide an alternative to the Maasai Emuratare ritual by creating a rite of passage centered on learning, preserving, and innovating vernacular architecture through the construction of Manyattas. By combining ancestral wisdom with architectural education, the project empowers girls to participate in cultural continuity while fostering sustainable building practices.

Introduction: FGM is regarded by the Maasai as a rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood. For the majority of females, the coming-of-age transition is the only significant life event in which her family, friends, and fellow clan members acknowledge her. Outlawing the practice, however, has backfired somewhat, driving it underground and drawing criticism for being culturally inappropriate.

The aim of this project is to reinterpret the Emuratare ritual of the Maasai people by proposing an alternative rite of passage that involves learning about Manyattas, or traditional Maasai dwellings. Over many generations, vernacular building systems have been refined to use local, natural resources in cost-effective construction methods and passive design to adapt to their individual climates. Through the construction of traditional Maasai homes, women of all ages pass ancestral wisdom from one generation to the next. However, younger Maasai girls are deprived of the generational learning experiences that come with building these dwellings because of the establishment of permanent cities, colonial perspectives on indigenous typologies, and easier access to education.

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Site Context

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Community Context: The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. | Talek is a town in Narok County, Kenya. Talek region is sandwiched by the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the south and the Mara Conservancies to the north. The small town has emerged between these wildlife areas in the heart of the Mara ecosystem in recent years.
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Site Map
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
North of Talek Town is the site of the Institute for Maasai Education, Research, and Conservation (MERC).

Working in partnership with The Institute for Maasai Education, Research, and Conservation (MERC), the project proposes an architectural education and research center designed using vernacular systems and materials but optimizing design and programmatic requirements. The center sits on the institute’s ten acres of land in a rural and remote high savanna area near the town of Talek in Kenya. 

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Site Plan
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
The building is situated on the institute’s ten acres of land in a rural and remote high savanna area.

Girls within the community will be coming to the center to learn how to construct their traditional architecture while experimenting with new methods to make it even better. In order for industry professionals and girls from the community to collaborate on ways to combine tradition and innovation in the pursuit of more sustainable buildings, they will receive support from both the older generation of Maasai women and professional researchers within the larger architectural research center.

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Structural System Of The Free-Standing Solid Walls, Built Using The Construction Systems Of Manyatta Walls
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Detail Of The Fixed Windows In The Solid Walls | Detail Of The Woven Pivot Doors
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Detail Of The Beaded Folding Walls Used For Internal Partitions | Physical Model Of The Beaded Folding Walls Used For Internal Partitions
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Woven Pivoting Kinetic Facades

For the walls, vernacular methods inspired by manyattas were adopted, with timber frames bound by sisal rope and plastered with soil and cow dung for cooling. These non-load-bearing walls, configured like puzzle pieces, incorporated fixed windows and woven sisal doors. Beadwork and basket-weaving—crafts rooted in women’s cultural heritage—were integrated through beaded folding partitions for spatial flexibility and a kinetic woven façade with rotating panels.

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
The Maasai Shuka
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Floor Types: Indoor Tiling Derived From The Patterns Of A Traditional Maasai Shuka
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Maasai Basketry
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Floor Types: Pavements Derived From The Patterns Of Traditional Maasai Basketry | Furniture Design For Functionality And Programmatic Flexibility, Inspired By The Traditional Maasai Saruni Ceremonial Stool

Flooring was designed independently, with patterned tiles referencing Maasai Shuka cloth in formal spaces and basket-inspired pavements linking indoors and outdoors. Furniture design drew on the Saruni ceremonial stool tradition, reinterpreted into lightweight, adaptable pieces crafted on-site to support flexible learning environments.

Design Process

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Exploded Diagram Of The Umbrella Roof Structural System | Physical Models Were Used Iteratively To Test And Optimize The Structural Stability Of The Umbrella Roof Structure
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
he Umbrella Roof Structure For Rainwater Harvesting
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Global Stability: Systematizing The Roof Structure Through Structural Bracing

The design process began with an exploration of a roof structure inspired by Le Ricolais’ Chair and traditional Maasai necklaces, using timber and sisal rope to test a system where members work purely in tension or compression. As the decagonal forms did not tessellate, configurations were developed by connecting “umbrellas” in groups of three or four to create a stable roof. This roof evolved into a funnelled structure to harvest rainwater, with six units channeling water into a central community garden reservoir, addressing gendered challenges of water insecurity.

 

Final Outcome

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Floor plan illustrating the programmatic functions and design decisions of the whole building
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Overall, the building celebrates, in its construction and function, Maasai women and their vernacular construction systems and crafts, by harnessing local labour, skills, and knowledge

The final floor plan brings together all design decisions into a cohesive whole. The north wing houses educational spaces, including flexible study areas and indoor-outdoor learning environments, while the south wing accommodates research facilities with offices, laboratories, and libraries. To the west, a central courtyard integrates a community garden, reservoir, and material forest.

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Indoor Learning: classrooms where girls are taught the concepts and principles of manyatta building
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Indoor Learning: individual and collective study spaces

The three wall types define spatial experiences: solid vernacular walls on the east façade and research wing provide enclosure and a maze-like library; beaded folding partitions support adaptability in central learning spaces; and basket-woven kinetic walls along the west façade enable openness and views to the garden. Detached walls and independent flooring enhance permeability, allowing air, light, water, and greenery to flow seamlessly between interior and exterior.

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Environmental Strategy: the building is solely designed on principles of passive environmental design and circularity
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Construction Process: following the ethos of the building programme itself and due to the site’s remoteness, the building not only relies on local materials, but also on local labour and construction techniques

The building prioritizes passive environmental design, employing natural ventilation, shading, and thermal mass. Rainwater harvesting and circular material cycles sustain irrigation and reduce ecological impact. Materials are grown, harvested, and processed on-site, utilizing vernacular knowledge. Construction relies on community labor and traditional crafts, creating employment and fostering ownership.

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Outdoor Learning: interactive learning through building the manyattas
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
On special occasions, to celebrate the girl’s graduation to womanhood, the community gardens become a place where the celebratory aspects of the traditional emuratare ritual can be performed

Conclusion: Ultimately, the building becomes both a place of learning and cultural transmission, empowering Maasai women and girls while celebrating vernacular construction techniques in a climate-responsive, socially impactful architecture.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]

Site Context

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project

Design Process

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project

Final Outcome

Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project
Building a Woman: An Alternative Rite of Passage Through Vernacular Architecture | Masters Design Project

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