CREATIVE ASSEMBLAGES

This project is designed as a path to learning that takes inspiration from the daily life, culture, and climate of Kafoutine. The location of the project between the river delta mangroves and the Atlantic beaches provides food, jobs, and construction materials.

The school and its program are organized along a communal path that runs from the northwest to the southwest corner. This path begins at a small public square under the entrance’s large moringa tree and ends at the site’s central moringa tree, which welcomes everyone to the school’s main piazza in front of the multipurpose room. As students and staff move through this learning path, they will come across courtyards for gatherings and circulation nodes to access classrooms, offices, play areas, and services.

The orientation of the building harnesses prevailing winds, which enhances natural ventilation, enables outdoor views and provides adequate natural lighting. Additionally, this layout’s modularity, simplicity, and efficiency allow for seamless phased construction.

The project is a replicable example of low-cost, low-carbon, and durable construction. The walls are made from Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) produced locally. The roof truss is made of formagier and mangrove timber poles. A layer of iron sheet with an underbelly of soil mixed with rice and peanut husks and closed off with cane mat for sound and heat insulation makes up the roof cover. The ceiling consists of interwoven and colourful sisal mats for additional insulation and vibrancy to the spaces.

The WASH facilities are double-pit dry composting toilets with minimal water usage. For hand-washing points, locally available “step & wash” points are proposed. The proposal provides low-cost, low-tech, and near-to-zero carbon consumption with high thermal, sound, and functional performance for the school.