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Architecture / Landscape / Urban Design
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Elementary School Sambou Toura Drame

In this school design, we challenged the traditional notion of figure and ground in architecture and landscape. By placing the architecture at the background along the plot's edge, we created a courtyard inside where all programs could be accommodated, offering space for children to play, learn, and engage both inside and outside the school.
This school has become an iconic symbol within the community, serving as a main center for education and empowerment. Despite the limited budget, we employed a low-tech yet exemplary approach that promotes practical learning and use of the area.
The design includes seven standard classrooms, offices, a library, and a canteen facing the courtyard. The movable furniture on the playground and resting areas are complemented by existing trees, an orchard, and a small corral. The school's self-sufficiency is fostered by growing food in the orchard and raising chickens, providing both educational and nourishing opportunities for the children.

Elementary School Sambou Toura Drame

With safety in mind, we have minimized fence area by having only three entries. Additionally, we've included space for storage and a bike rack. Clay bricks measuring 40 x 20 x 10 modules, easily made by the local community using a standardized clay module machine, were utilized for construction. This machine can continue to benefit the community.
To promote sustainability, we implemented a rainwater collecting system. The connected roof and gutter channel water to a cistern below the ground. The elevated wood truss structure allows for air ventilation and natural light to permeate the classrooms.