malian school by LEVS architecten constructed with rammed earth blocks

malian school by LEVS architecten constructed with rammed earth blocks
all images courtesy of LEVS architecten

near the malian village of gangouroubouro, LEVS architecten has designed a primary school that both reflects and utilizes vernacular building traditions. the project comprises an educational facility for local children, toilet blocks for sanitary facilities and a shared outdoor space.

the building’s walls have been constructed from locally produced hydraulic compressed earth blocks

the structure of the school consists of an enlarged front porch that runs in parallel with each of the site’s three classrooms. the building’s walls have been constructed from locally produced hydraulic compressed earth blocks (HCEB), positioned in alternating strips that determine the rhythm of each façade. stone benches line both sides of the porch, establishing a communal hub that also serves as an external terrace.

a front porch runs in parallel with each of the site’s three classrooms

the roof is assembled from overlapping steel plates that create an additional area of much-needed shade. openings cut within the structure’s elevations are painted in a shade of ochre yellow, while internally, rafters have been stretched across each classroom ensuring free and open floor space.

a three meter overhang provides areas of much needed shade

rafters have been stretched across each classroom ensuring free and open floor space

the school is located in an open plain near the rural malian village of gangouroubouro

1/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

location: village of gangouroubouro in the land of the dogon, mali
GFA: 295 sqm
program: primary school with three classrooms for 180 pupils, office and depot
client: foundation dogon education (SDO)
contractor: enterprise dara (sevaré, mopti) in collaboration with students of the technical college in sevaré and with the local population of gangouroubouro
photography: LEVS architecten