Social center and library
image: © all rights reserved
image: © all rights reserved
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In one of the poorest peripheral neighbourhood of Bobodiulasso, second city of Burkina Faso, the real need of spaces dedicated to education prompted the realization of a centre for ‘after school’ time for the youngsters of the secondary education. Generally the environment is a place of expression for the young minds and support for their scholar formation, in sight of a complete cycle of studies.
Designed as a point of gathering for the young people of the neighbourhood, the space of the centre is mainly defined by an internal courtyard as a traditional element of the local dwellings. In this case the court is open to the use of the local activities; in fact this semi public space can be transformed in many ways and used for feasts or just as an extension of the space dedicated to educational activities.
The architecture is defined by two main one storey volumes made by laterite, a local clay soil rich in aluminium and iron hydroxide. This volumes hosting classrooms for students and a conference room, are elements used to link the ample roofing metal sheet which protects from sun radiation one part of the square partially lowered to give emphasis of the presence of this new vibrant space for the public in the neighbourhood of Kuinima Kura. The few possibilities of detailing and the required simplicity of the plan helped to limit technical difficulties to communicate and control the construction site with local craft men, also thanks to the adoption of local methods and techniques.
