Kashitu secondary school

Project idea

The goals of the project include creating a climate-responsive and sustainable educational environment that addresses the challenges of its tropical African context, while also translating neuroscientific principles into architectural space. The design aims to foster a balance between logic and creativity, providing spaces that stimulate both structured learning and imaginative thinking. Special attention is given to gender-sensitive planning, particularly in the dormitory configuration, to ensure safety, comfort, and privacy. Overall, the objective is to deliver a school that is not only functionally efficient and environmentally adaptive, but also symbolically rich—an architecture that thinks like a brain, elevating the learning experience through thoughtful spatial organization and contextual relevance.

Project description

The scope of this project encompasses the complete architectural design of a secondary school campus adapted to a tropical African context. It includes the development of academic facilities (classrooms, laboratories, and library), administrative spaces, a multipurpose hall, student dormitories, and associated landscaping. The design addresses not only spatial organization and educational functionality but also incorporates climate-adaptive strategies such as passive cooling, natural ventilation, and thermal insulation through a double roof system. The project also explores social and cultural dimensions, such as gender-sensitive planning in the dormitory layout and the use of landscape as an informal learning and interaction space. The solution aims to integrate concept, context, and climate to produce an environment that is educationally stimulating, environmentally responsible, and symbolically meaningful.

Technical information

The project employs a structural system composed primarily of reinforced concrete frames for durability, load-bearing capacity, and ease of local construction. The walls are infilled with stabilized compressed earth blocks (CEBs), selected for their thermal mass, low embodied energy, and contextual relevance in African climates. A key technical feature is the double roof system, which consists of a ventilated metal outer roof supported above a secondary insulated ceiling. This passive system allows hot air to escape and reduces heat transfer into occupied spaces, enhancing natural ventilation and thermal comfort. Openings are strategically placed to support cross-ventilation, while extended roof overhangs provide solar shading and protection from rainfall. The use of locally sourced materials reduces transportation costs and supports sustainable construction practices. Rainwater collection and passive daylighting strategies are also integrated into the design to minimize energy and water consumption across the campus.

Documentation

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