KIBUYE HOUSE, a private eco-lodge on Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Building on steep slopes has become second nature for AWAA, yet this site presented a very different kind of challenge. Nestled within an extraordinary garden planted over twenty years ago, the land was alive with rare and delicate species that could not be disturbed. Designing Kibuye House became an exercise in precision—almost like open-heart surgery—where every gesture, from the first sketch to the final stone laid, had to honour and protect this living tapestry. To anchor the project even more deeply into the local landscape, we chose to rely exclusively on local materials and techniques.

Building on steep slopes has become second nature for AWAA, yet this site presented a very different kind of challenge. Nestled within an extraordinary garden planted over twenty years ago, the land was alive with rare and delicate species that could not be disturbed. Designing Kibuye House became an exercise in precision—almost like open-heart surgery—where every gesture, from the first sketch to the final stone laid, had to honour and protect this living tapestry. To anchor the project even more deeply into the local landscape, we chose to rely exclusively on local materials and techniques.

The earth excavated for the foundations was transformed into bricks directly on site. Local beeswax was melted and patiently worked to finish the concrete floors. The lamps were handcrafted by Rwandan artisans; the window frames shaped by a local ironworker. Each piece bears the signature of the region’s craftspeople and the quiet strength of their know-how. Scattered across the hill, the bungalows come in different shapes and sizes, welcoming couples, families, or groups of friends. At the top of the site, the main house overlooks the garden, the cluster of bungalows, and the shimmering expanse of Lake Kivu. This building is the heart of Kibuye House—the place where guests meet, share meals, exchange stories, and simply enjoy the pleasure of being together. As with our project El Chante in Costa Rica, the structures are placed with care throughout the site, preserving the spirit of the place, the lush vegetation, and the privacy of every visitor. Kibuye House is a project of sustainable simplicity, where every design decision remains intentionally modest so that local builders can achieve it beautifully, without imposing construction methods born in other continents. The elegance of the place comes not from complexity, but from harmony. Open-air structures create natural ventilation and cooling, embracing the Rwandan climate and celebrating a way of life that flows gently between inside and outside. In Kibuye, no place offers such an experience—one where simplicity meets refinement, where luxury becomes synonymous with authenticity and ecological awareness. Kibuye House introduces a new form of sustainable, understated luxury on the shores of Lake Kivu: a retreat for weekend travellers and holiday guests who seek to immerse themselves fully in nature, breathe deeply, slow down, and reconnect with the beauty of this remarkable landscape.

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