Kaira Looro 2023
competition entry
location: Senegal
This educational complex, skillfully merging the local natural environment with academic needs, is divided into two main areas: a classroom complex and a faculty zone, supplemented by health and storage facilities. The classroom complex, forming the heart of the project, consists of four rounded, box-like structures. Constructed from local laterite brick, their curved walls create openings that allow natural light and air to flow through, providing a comfortable learning environment that also reflects a thoughtful blend of nature and architecture.
A peaceful reading area, which also serves as a library, is situated among the classrooms, leading to an open-air amphitheater designed for interactive teaching. The interior design is enhanced by the use of rosewood beams on the slanted roofs, which have practical benefits too. These architectural features enable side ventilation and direct rainwater towards a central garden, demonstrating a commitment to environmental care. The management and health sections are housed in two mirrored rammed earth structures, complementing the classroom design with their inward-sloping roofs. A standout feature here is a semi-circular classroom, partially built from recycled car tires, illustrating creative use of materials. The rest of the structure uses rosewood, tying in with the overall design theme.
A central opening in the classroom allows for natural light and greenery, contributing to a pleasant learning environment.
Next to the academic buildings is a football field, thoughtfully placed to bridge physical education and community engagement. The adjacent canteen, constructed with iron beams and a colorful corrugated metal roof, serves as a dining area for students and a shelter for spectators during games, maintaining the cohesive design of the complex.Overall, this project in rural Senegal represents a blend of local material use, environmental awareness, and innovative architectural design. It serves not just as an educational space but as a community hub, promoting learning and interaction in an environmentally balanced setting.
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