In Tanzania’s Mtwara region, an innovative housing project is helping reduce the risk of malaria through smart design. Known as Star Homes, the elevated houses are built to minimize contact with Anopheles mosquitoes, which typically fly close to the ground. Mesh screens improve ventilation while keeping insects out, and a recent study found residents faced a 44% lower malaria infection risk. Elsewhere in Tanzania, architects and researchers are revisiting traditional building methods, using local materials such as earth, bamboo and thatch to create more sustainable homes. Initiatives like TAWAH are also training women as builders, providing jobs, reducing construction emissions and helping communities build healthier, more resilient housing for the future.