LEVS Architects

Gangouroubouro Primary School

GANGOUROUBOURO PRIMARY SCHOOL

 LEVS Architecten

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

ARCHITECTS
LEVS Architecten

AREA
295.0 sqm

PROJECT YEAR
2013

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

Text description provided by architect.

In the open plain near the Malian village Gangouroubouro LEVS designed a new primary school. The architecture of the school reflects a connection to the local building traditions, culture and function.

Compared with the rich architectural areas near the rocky walls in the Dogon area, particularly at this location the plain offers the possibility of a different architectural appearance.

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten
Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

The ensemble consists of a school, blocks with sanitary facilities and a communal outdoor space. The structure of the school building consists of an enlarged front porch of more than 3 meters parallel to the three classrooms.

The walls are constructed with newly developed and locally produced hydraulic compressed earth blocks (HCEB) in alternating strips.

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten
Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

They determine the rhythm of the facades and provide a cool inside climate. The porch, which is equipped with stone benches on both sides, forms the large terrace of the school.

The roof is constructed of overlapping steel plates, each hanging 1 meter over and creating extra shade spaces.

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten
Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

By means of thin steel shaft profiles, the mass of the roof is being transferred to the buttresses. The Poligny rafters stretch across the class rooms and create a free floor surface.

Wind forces are prevented from pushing up the roof by a wide stroke of semi-open masonry for ventilation and by the use of several openings of long and narrow windows.

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten
Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten

The openings in the facade with its tilt window frames are painted in an ochre yellow colour. The office and the storage facility have been built with curved roofs and on a smaller scale, corresponding to the function of the space.

Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten
Gangouroubouro Primary School
© LEVS architecten


Gangouroubouro Primary School
Rendering
Gangouroubouro Primary School
Elevation 1
Gangouroubouro Primary School
Elevation 2


Gangouroubouro Primary School
Section AA
Gangouroubouro Primary School
Section BB


Gangouroubouro Primary School
Site Plan
Gangouroubouro Primary School
Floor Plan

LEVS Architects
T +31 20 6735762
LEVS Architects
Cruquiusweg 111D, 1019 AG Amsterdam, Netherlands