Otto-Roman Barnert
Austria
Born in Vienna Austria on 4.1.1958 as son of a textile engineer
Primary schooling in Zimbabwe between 1967 and 1976 returned to Vienna to study Structural Engineering to obtain Diploma in that discipline.

Worked as Structural Engineer in Vienna but also took up Architectural studies at the Technical University Vienna to obtain a Degree in Architecture in 1986 with a thesis on Educational Facilities in Developing Countries which included a design proposal for the SOS Childrens Village in Mbabane/Swaziland.

After a practice period in an architectural studios, developed an interest to work in Africa. This led to a commissioning to design and built the SOS Children's Village of Zanzibar between 1987 and 1991, called by some the SOS Childrens Stone Town.

Formed with Norbert Bauer "3D design-development-display" and cooperated on numerous projects in both Tanzania and Austria. These included;

Community Complex with educational, health and residential facilities in Zanzibar for the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood Kenya (1991 - 1996)

Renovation of the Old Dispensary of Zanzibar for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (1991 - 1996), project management of the entire project cycle to completion

Zanzibar Serena Inn for the Tourism Promotion Services Aiglemond (1991 - 1993), project management of the pre-construction period

Between 1991 and 1996 designed and built numerous small scale projects for private and public clients in Zanzibar including but not limited to;
A Youth Centre using low cost construction techniques for an Italian NGO
Experimental Low Cost Housing for low income families
Residential villas for expatriates along the sea side
The International School Complex
Community Hall with a span of 24 metres of the Bwawani Hotel
Airplane hangers for a charter company
Feasibility dossiers for three tourist hotel schemes

Since 1997 I am working in the Balkans as temporary agent of Agencies of the European Union, (re)constructing and/or rehabilitating residential and public building facilities, damaged either through causes of war or lack of maintenance, in a post war environment. It is the prime aim to introduce EU standards and improved building techniques while attempting to maximize available budgets through use of appropriate technologies and the utilization of local construction companies.

My late interests focuses on the reduction of energy needs in heating or cooling residential and public buildings facilities by use of appropriate insulation materials and solar powered systems.
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