Innovation & Sustainability

Overview of the project

We intend to develop and test the viability of the first-of-its-kind affordable housing standards in Cameroon and to demonstrate existing and new energy-efficient technologies for affordable housing. The SHIFT HOUSE project will be the catalyst for the modernisation of the construction sector in Cameroon, which is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. The project encompasses the design and construction of a low/zero carbon home. These innovative homes will function as tools to address the challenges faced by the construction industry in its endeavour to create a sustainable urban environment in Cameroon and Africa. The project also addresses the Cameroonian Government Code for Sustainable Homes. The homes are designed to various degrees of innovation and flexibility to allow the testing of different aspects of building construction. The SHIFT HOUSE aims to act as a live laboratory for the investigation of the relationship between the deploying technologies, occupants and building performance. The SHIFT HOUSE built will be used as a living test site for deploying sustainable building technologies; their performance and impacts will be monitored over 12 months. The houses are used for research and development projects, student training and the promotion of sustainable technologies in Cameroon and overseas.