As the vision of Erebero Hills gradually began to take shape, key decisions needed to be made around design and architecture. As always, for us, the key drivers were sustainability, community involvement, and a deep connection to the environment.
Bamboo had been selected as the material of choice for the building of Erebero Hills, and Pablo Luna Studio identified as the best design company suited to bringing the project to life. In the delicate ecosystem surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, questions revolved around the environmental impact of the lodge creation and how it would forge connections for both the local communities and international travellers with each other, and with the forest.
In the second part of this two-part interview with Pablo Luna (read Part 1 here), we look at the design decisions that were made to specifically mitigate the environmental impact of the build and unpack how connections to both the Batwa and surrounding nature are shaped through the presence of Erebero Hills.
Sustainability is a core part of this project. What measures were taken to ensure minimal environmental impact throughout construction and operation?
The overall environmental impact is significantly mitigated by turning the 45-hectare former tea plantation into a vital ecological buffer zone near the highly biodiverse Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This transformation is driven by a massive reforestation initiative, which involves planting over 35,000 indigenous trees.
This management effort is unique. It is strategically guided by the Batwa elders alongside modern botany. This specific, targeted planting ensures the restoration of the native forest species, which are crucial not only for expanding wildlife habitats (like the mountain gorillas) but also for restoring the Batwa’s cultural resources (such as traditional food and medicine), thus actively healing the scars left by monoculture.
Minimal construction impact is guaranteed by adapting the architecture to the sloping terrain using structural solutions like suspended forms and terraces. This approach dramatically minimizes ground disturbance and eliminates destructive site levelling. Furthermore, construction heavily relies on cyclical and local primary materials bamboo, wood, stone, and rammed earth, significantly reducing the project’s embodied energy and transport emissions.
How do terraces, overhangs, and suspended structures help the building harmonise with the hilly terrain?
The key to the structural elements harmonising with the mountainous terrain lies in the “light touch methodology” of the design, which secures the site’s ecological integrity. Suspended structures, elevated on minimal footings, avoid extensive site levelling by resting above the natural contours. This fundamentally minimises soil disturbance, aids in healing monoculture scars, and prevents erosion on steep slopes.
Terraces act as adaptive transitional zones, following natural slope gradients and stepping the building’s mass. This allows the built form to mimic the mountain contours, integrating the architecture as an organic extension of the landscape.
Overhangs fulfil a bioclimatic function by extending the roofline for passive solar protection. This ensures thermal comfort and integrates the structure with the local climate and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest ecosystem.
Can you describe the four-stage approach your studio uses (Study, Design, Build, Nurture) and how it applied to this project?
Study is about presence and understanding. We spend time on the site, listening to its rhythms, observing how people and nature coexist. In Bwindi, this meant walking the terrain for days, spending time with the Batwa community and our local partners, noting light, wind, and topography while learning from local knowledge, stories, and traditions.
Design grows from this deep attention. Buildings are positioned to preserve existing trees and capture views of the valley, while roofs open toward the rising sun to bring in soft light and natural ventilation. The pathways follow the natural slopes, connecting spaces through gradual movement rather than imposed geometry.
Each structure is slightly elevated to allow air and water to pass beneath, reducing impact on the soil. Materials such as bamboo, stone, and earth were used in their natural state, chosen not only for sustainability but for their tactile and thermal qualities.
Build turns intention into craft. In this stage Studio Akeka has played a beautiful role, ensuring that the act of construction strengthens community ties and respects both materials and ecosystems.
Nurture is what sustains the project beyond completion. We monitor how the architecture lives over time: its ecological performance, its relationship with the community, and its ability to evolve. At Erebero Hills, this stage continues through reforestation efforts, cultural exchange, and maintenance practices that keep the forest and the project growing together.
In what ways did you integrate traditional knowledge and the culture of the Batwa community into the project?
At Erebero Hills, the knowledge of the Batwa community has guided us in three main ways:
- In the reforestation of the land, ensuring the forest is restored with native species.
- In the architectural design, which integrates Batwa principles such as harmony with the land, minimal disturbance to natural systems, and the use of locally available materials.
- In the daily life of the project, where their traditions and wisdom foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
In partnership with Change a Life Bwindi, Batwa elders lead the reforestation of the 45-hectare site, using their deep understanding of the Bwindi Forest to select native plants that once provided food, medicine, and materials for their community. This process heals the landscape while renewing their relationship with it.
The architecture continues this dialogue, offering spaces where the Batwa can share their crafts, music, and forest knowledge with visitors. Designed for reflection and exchange, the lodge becomes a place where nature and culture coexist naturally.
Through this collaboration, Erebero Hills stands as a living platform for restoration and cultural continuity, keeping the Batwa’s legacy at the heart of the forest.
How do you envision guests experiencing a connection with nature and culture through the architecture of Erebero Hills?
The guest experience is shaped by the forest rhythms and sensory awareness. The architecture is designed to blur the boundaries between the buildings and the forest. inviting them to observe simple moments, the change of light through the trees, the sound of rain on bamboo, or the feeling of mist drifting across open terraces.
Paths are intentionally creating a sense of discovery rather than direction. Spaces open and close in rhythm with the landscape, offering shelter without separation from the outdoors.
Cultural connection happens through presence and participation. Guests share meals prepared with local ingredients, learn from artisans working nearby, and take part in the ongoing restoration of the forest. The architecture acts as a gentle framework for these encounters, allowing visitors to feel not like observers but like participants in a living ecosystem.
Experience the wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the ancient wisdom of the Batwa, and the immersive connection to people, wildlife, and landscape that Erebero Hills offers. Opening on the 1st of August 2026.
Start planning your visit to erebero Hills today.
