Sierra Leone School, Africa Building, Project, Photo, News, Design, Property

Sierra Leone School

Education Building Development in Africa - design by Foster + Partners

4 Jun 2009 Sierra Leone School Building Foster + Partners reveals designs for Sierra Leone school in Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London image : Foster + Partners Foster + Partners has unveiled a model for the design of a school in Sierra Leone at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in London. Working together with Article 25, Save the Children and Buro Happold, this unique project to establish a design prototype was the result of close collaboration with the local community to create a series of highly flexible buildings with larger classrooms, effective ventilation and natural light. Concept Sketch by Norman Foster picture : Foster + Partners The design draws parallels with a number of early social projects. Its modular system embraces floor, walls and roof on a flexible plan and can be easily assembled and reconfigured to meet the different demands of communities in Sierra Leone. The response to climatic and economic restraints has produced something close to a new vernacular: an ‘architecture without architects’. Visually, the scheme resonates with existing schools, yet functionally it is a dramatic departure. This has ensured widespread acceptance of the design, enabling teachers – for the first time – to circulate in classrooms that are light and naturally ventilated and offering better security and supervision. images : Narinder Saghoo_Foster + Partners The design is being jointly funded by Foster + Partners, Article 25 and Buro Happold and construction will be financed by the Foster family. Norman Foster said: “The project to design a school for Sierra Leone has been both an exciting design challenge, as well as an ambitious undertaking to help improve education in one of the world’s poorest countries. Our approach seeks to achieve the most with the least, using indigenous techniques and materials to create a prototype for a modern, flexible school building that is uplifting and inspiring to use.” Sierra Leone School images / information from Foster + Partners Sierra Leone School Building architects : Foster + Partners

School Buildings

Sierra Leone Schools - Background

• Article 25 is a construction charity working in International Development.
• The school is easily assembled using locally sourced bush-sticks, standard-sized timber planks and generic modules of sheet metal for the roof.
• Louvered apertures in the walls admit natural light and reduce contrast with the daylight outside.
• The pitch of the roof is at an angle of 30 degrees to minimise solar gain and encourage cross-ventilation. The ‘top hat’ of an additional roof increases air flow through the spaces and adds more natural light.
• The roof can be extended to create a generous overhang at either end of the building, creating shaded external areas for informal teaching or play.

Also by Foster + Partners in Africa:

Banyan Tree Corniche Bay, Mauritius

image : Foster + Partners
Banyan Tree

Cyrene Declaration, Libya
Foster + Partners

image : Foster + Partners
Libyan architecture

African Buildings + Developments

Bibliotheca Alexandrina / Alexandria Library, Egypt
Snohetta Architecture

photo from Snøhetta Architects
Alexandria Library Egypt

Four Seasons Seychelles

Congo Schools for Article 25, Democratic Republic of Congo
2009

image from architect
Congo School Buildings

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Sierra Leone School Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt

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