atelier RZLBD plans the benga secondary school in malawi with a central courtyard space

atelier RZLBD has designed the benga secondary school, to be situated in the nkhotakota district of malawi. the proposal focuses on the feasibility of the project – its affordability, constructibility, and expandability – using only basic and existing resources. the intention is to pursue a humble and modest design, to make the resulting scheme achievable.

looking towards the courtyard

images courtesy of atelier RZLBD

the scheme is planned by atelier RZLBD to establish a discrete and original spatial order. through this order, spaces are organized in such a way that places the community at the center. the layout leads people to the central gathering point – the agora – from any part of the school. this courtyard will serve as an area for formal and informal events, extending the learning environment beyond formal classrooms.

the running track (interstitial space) between classrooms and the admin building

by calculating the standard floor areas for each program, five modules based on 2.5m have been created and repeated throughout the entire plan, which allows for easy and fast construction that requires no complicated craftsmanship. the modular system, breaking down the programs to their essential components, produces a scheme that is well-scaled, allowing the project to blend in with the context.

view from the multi-purpose area to the teachers’ office and beyond

to minimize any necessary adjustments to the landscape, the modules are arranged linearly following the planes of the topography, so that each group of the modules is on the same ground level. at the same time, to preserve all the existing trees on the site, the modules are placed in-between the trees, and their canopies either expand over or enclose them, which ties the modules and the trees into one architectural entity. in the individual module, locally available construction methods and materials have been used, while the single-sloped roof system has been designed to maximize sunlight for solar panels and natural ventilation.

classroom view

on the façades, the corbeled triangular openings and screens, inspired by african fabric pattern, add a cultural identity to the project, while lightening the construction by removing the use of a lintel. to ensure the spatial quality through time, the project has been considered in its full expansion. on the fully constructed podium that sets the boundary for each program, the dormitory and the classroom modules are planned to grow inwardly, making the school more complete conceptually and spatially through the expansion.

dormitory view

context plan

site plan

general plan / phasing development (right)

axonometric view

project info:

project name: ‘benga secondary school’

project location: benga, nkhotakota district, malawi 

program: secondary school, dormitory, teachers’ residences

client: benga parish

architect: atelier RZLBD / reza aliabadi

project team: reza aliabadi, james chungwon park

structure: brick masonry, steel

site area: 10700 m2

size (ground floor area): 3425 m2 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom