Green buildings in Zimbabwe

Designing Zimbabwe’s Future Cities

Across Zimbabwe, from Harare’s growing skyline to new developments in smaller towns, green buildings are redefining what it means to build for the future. By reducing energy and water use, and by embracing climate-smart design, these projects are paving the way for cities that are healthier, more resilient, and better adapted to our environment.

Why Sustainable Architecture Matters

The United Nations projects that by 2050, nearly 68% of the world’s population will live in cities. Already, cities use 78% of global energy and generate about 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. In Zimbabwe, rapid urbanisation — especially in Harare, Bulawayo, and fast-expanding peri-urban centres — makes sustainable design a critical priority.

Green architecture responds to these challenges by incorporating renewable energy systems, climate-responsive design, and locally available materials. In a country where electricity supply and water security are pressing issues, efficient buildings are not just environmentally responsible — they are practical and cost-saving.

What is a Green Building?

A green or sustainable building is designed to improve quality of life while minimising its environmental footprint. In Zimbabwe, this often means:

Designing for natural ventilation and daylight to reduce dependence on power.

Using locally sourced materials like stone, timber, and rammed earth to cut transport costs and emissions.

Capturing and recycling water to ease pressure on limited municipal supplies.

Integrating solar energy systems to reduce reliance on the grid.
In South Africa, Green Star provides a benchmark for sustainability. In Zimbabwe, even without formal certification, a few projects are applying the same principles to meet local needs.

Key Characteristics of Green Buildings

Sustainable architecture in Zimbabwe is shaped by both international standards and local realities:

Eastgate commercial centre

A revolutionary building inspired by anthill heat dissipation. The Eastgate Centre employs a biomimetic ventilation system inspired by termite mounds, using natural convection to regulate temperature and drastically reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning. Its façade and internal atria are designed to maximize natural light and airflow, minimizing energy consumption and enhancing occupant comfort. Locally sourced materials, including brick and concrete, provide high thermal mass and support passive cooling strategies suited to Harare’s climate.

Pantic Architects offices - Green building in rammed earth

A sustainable building building constructed using green passive ideas and approaches. The building incorporates passive design strategies such as deep overhangs to reduce solar heat gain while maintaining natural ventilation throughout the interior spaces. Built out of rammed earth sourced on the site, it promotes locally sourced materials and eliminates transport and production carbon footprint.

Harare International School Amphitheatre

An ingenious building that utilises the cool underground temperatures to cool the spaces above ground. Undeground rock stores, naturally at temperatures much lower than the external temperature have air circulating through them. This air is then used to cool the theatre areas.

Greenfuel HQ - sustainable green building

A company headquarters office building located in the scorching heat of Chisumbanje, Zimbabwe. A double roof protects the underlying building, while trees provide shade and a lake evaporative cooling. Massive external walls provide thermal inertia, while solar tubes provide interior lighting without heat gain and in the middle of the building.

Great Zimbabwe Museum & Visitors centre

Buildings in service of Zimbabwe's most iconic world heritage site at Great Zimbabwe, close to Masvingo. Built out of rammed earth with a green garden on top of the building and trees pasing through, it was studied to have minimal impact on the landscape and the underlying terrain.

Towards Sustainability in Zimbabwe

Harare is already seeing projects that combine solar-powered offices, green public spaces, and water-wise infrastructure. Across Zimbabwe, schools, clinics, and community buildings are turning to rammed earth, natural ventilation, and renewable energy to cut costs and boost resilience.

Pantic Architects are proud to be part of the work that CTCN and UN Habitat are working on guidelines for Sustainable design in Zimbabwe, that should lead to a framework for new green building By-laws in Zimbabwe.

By adopting climate-responsive architecture, Zimbabwe can position itself as a leader in Africa’s green transition — creating cities and neighbourhoods that are livable, resilient, and proudly connected to both tradition and innovation.