Article source: BasaboseStudio (Pty) Ltd

Nyiragongo Villa I is the expression of resilience of the city and people of Goma. A city of one million people located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, in the North Kivu province, DR Congo.

Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano.

On 17 January 2002, after several months of increased seismic and fumarolic activity, a 13km fissure opened in the south flank of the volcano, spreading in a few hours from 2800m to 1550m elevation and reaching the outskirts of the city of Goma. Lava streamed from three spatter cones at the end of the fissure and flowed in a stream 200 to 1000m wide and up to 2m deep through Goma. About 245 people died in the eruption from asphyxiation by carbon dioxide and buildings collapsing due to the lava and earthquakes. At least 15% of Goma comprising 4,500 buildings were destroyed, leaving about 120,000 people homeless.

Image Courtesy © BasaboseStudio (Pty) Ltd

• Architects: BasaboseStudio (Pty) Ltd
• Project: Nyiragongo Villa I
• Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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