Excerpt: Lela Primary School and Training Centre by Architects Atelier Ryo Abe, rooted in traditional concepts, serves as a landmark and community hub. The design of the school features three blocks with curved walls, inspired by the village’s vernacular style. The construction promotes sustainability and cultural integration through locally sourced materials, such as rammed earth walls, wooden columns, bamboo veils, and repurposed tires.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The village of Niandouba and Lela, located in the poverty-stricken Kolda region of South Senegal, West Africa, faces challenges such as a lack of proper infrastructure and limited access to education for its 150-200 children aged 6-12. In response, a primary school has been designed to serve as a landmark and community hub. Rooted in traditional concepts of prosperity, the school is situated between two mango trees, providing shade and featuring north-south oriented classrooms with adequate ventilation.
The school’s design consists of three blocks: administration and canteen; a north block for phase-1 children having classrooms and toilets; and a south block for phase-2 children along with a lab and mini-vegetable garden. Inspired by the village’s existing vernacular style, curved walls create a harmonious environment. The entrance offers an inviting view of the mango tree and courtyard with bamboo playscapes.
A central concept is maintaining the nutrition cycle. An agora connected to the canteen and lab, along with separate edible gardens for each phase, enables children to learn about crop cultivation and poultry rearing and contribute to their meals. The lab is a flexible space for various activities, and the administration block is strategically placed for teacher supervision.
Community involvement is emphasized through landscape design and walkability, encouraging parents to send their children to school. A community vegetation field allows shared farming, and a flexible area near the sick room supports skill-developing workshops, training sessions, or village meetings after school hours.
Tire-scapes are introduced as landscaping and playing elements to enhance the school’s playfulness and ensure playability during the rainy season. A mango forest in the north and a covered courtyard in the south block contribute to recreational areas, while the customized furniture serves dual purposes of play and storage. A water reservoir and shallow pond promote rainwater collection and add vitality to the learning environment.
Material choices prioritize sustainability, utilizing locally sourced materials to integrate the school with its environment. Rammed earth walls, wooden columns, bamboo veils, and repurposed tires demonstrate a commitment to cultural integration and reduced environmental impact.
The construction process incorporates traditional techniques, such as building walls using a mixture of laterite, gravel, sand, lime, straw, and cow dung. A wooden structure made of rosewood supports the roof, with a focus on modular design for efficient assembly. Considering the pollution created by cement production, the architects have tried to keep the use of cement as minimal as possible, which led to the choice of poured earth as the principal foundation material. Using bamboo reeds in the roof serves as a second layer of roofing and helps the cooling process. Finally, the project encourages community engagement by involving villagers, especially children, in the tire coloring process, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in the finished structure.
By incorporating adaptable design, natural materials, and local participation, the project not only creates a functional and harmonious space but also empowers the community and fosters a fondness for attending school within the community.
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