Primary school in Mbakadou

A school of sand, clay and typha in a rural context

Mbakadou, Senegal
2017—2019: design and realization of the 1st phase
GFA 200 sqm
Beneficiaries Mbakadou and bordering communities
Partners Associazione di Solidarietà Dimbalente onlus, Associazione Insieme
Funds Caritas Ambrosiana and private funds

In 2014, after the construction of a first classroom, Solidarietà Dimbalente, Insieme and the community of Mbakadou called us to rethink and improve the general project of their school for the classroom to come. Together, we have started a project which applies bio-climatic principles for high thermal comfort, valorizes local natural materials and sustainable processes, and directly involves the participation of local people both in design and building phases.

Innovation by participation has been the core of our project, indeed we combined simple but effective technologies (easy to replicate, such as sandbags and mudbricks) and local traditional knowledge. Further, both women and men of the village have worked at the building site, improving technical skills and creating a deep sense of belonging at the same time.