Secondary schools, Malawi and Zambia

A conceptual design is being developed for the construction of secondary schools in Zambia and Malawi that takes into account the local conditions in each country. Nevertheless, the aim is to ensure the transferability of design and construction principles in order to achieve standardised processes in planning and implementation, thereby enabling efficient and cost-effective planning and construction. Local site conditions, material availability and common construction methods are leading to a revision of the school designs developed to date, which also involves investigating the production of specially manufactured adobe bricks.

An analysis of the school projects already completed in both countries has led to the development of a new design concept. The focus is on a natural and structurally simple ventilation system of the rooms and a roof structure modelled on existing construction methods, which can be realised by the same building professionals with only minor adjustments. The asymmetrically oriented roof, which is raised off the walls to allow for ventilation, not only represents a design refinement of the familiar gable roof but also provides space for solar panels on the shorter, steeper side. The larger, flatter side serves to collect rainwater in a central tank, which can be installed in the courtyard along the side of the school building. The roof overhang towards the courtyard also serves as a covered walkway running alongside all the rooms in the classroom and administrative areas.

In addition to the main school building itself, plans include accommodation facilities for students and teachers, as well as an assembly hall, all of which follow the same design principles. The roof shape extends across the entire campus, though it is adapted to the different dimensions of the buildings. A common feature of all the buildings is that the asymmetry of the roof – and, in some cases, the view of the high roof trusses – can be experienced from the inside.