Nianing, Senegal
The new public high school of Malicounda, designed by In Situ Architecture, follows the canon of the local architecture based on the morphology of xerophytic plants and consists of eight classrooms and an amphitheater.
Malicounda High School has recently been awarded a 2023 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
To beat the subtropical climate, openings have been made in the lower and upper parts of the classrooms to promote air circulation and cooling.
The walls are made of raw earth brick and the ceilings are made of Ronier palm fiber.
The architects have created a building that is completely autonomous thanks to solar panels and rainwater recovery.
Project: Malicounda High School
Architects: IN SITU Architecture
Lead Architect: Nicolas Vernoux Thelot
Design Team: Alexandra Teplova
General Contractor: G2C
Client: Ministry of Education of Senegal – Malicounda Public High School
Photographers: Genevieve Sauv, IN SITU architecture