Lorenzo Fontana

He’s even developed a method to enhance its durability and resistance, ensuring these structures can withstand the test of time and climate. His knowledge has earned him invitations to teach at universities in Switzerland and Italy, where students eagerly learn the craft from someone who has not only mastered it but is reshaping its future.

Through his workshops, Lorenzo brings European architecture students to Ethiopia, offering them hands-on experience with terra cruda. These workshops are more than academic exercises; they often result in the creation of vital infrastructure for local communities — schools, kindergartens, churches, wells — that are later donated to the people who need them most. His work bridges cultures, connecting theory with practice, and architecture with social good.

Building with earth is not only an eco-friendly choice, but it also makes practical sense in specific climatic zones like Ethiopia. Terra cruda structures offer natural insulation, keeping interiors cool during scorching days and warm during cooler nights. The materials are locally sourced, cost-effective, and leave a minimal environmental footprint, making this technique both sustainable and culturally attuned to the regions where it’s used.

Yet what truly sets Lorenzo apart is his unwavering commitment to community. He is not just an architect but a builder of relationships, someone who believes that sustainable architecture can — and should — be a force for positive change. Through his generosity and skill, Lorenzo has contributed immeasurably to Hawassa and beyond, creating not just buildings, but spaces where people can learn, grow, and thrive.