ROOT to ROUTE: Nurturing Identities
The design proposal for the primary school in Sédhiou integrates local materials, embraces the surrounding environment, and prioritizes the formation of children's identities. It takes traditional community life in Casamance as a key element and emphasizes spatial organization, communal engagement, protected boundaries, and active route, for children's development and exploration:
The spatial organization of the school takes inspiration from the Fromager tree, known for its resilience, longevity and symbolic significance in Casamance. The school's structure is designed to resemble the resilient roots of the tree, symbolizing the strong bond between the community and education. It is articulated in design as the partition walls of the school. The classrooms are organized in three phases (IC, CP; EC1, EC2; CM1, CM2) of the study cycle to accommodate different age groups.
The commune space, where students gather and engage in activities during breaks, is inspired by the local impluvium, representing unity and solidarity. The school is envisioned as a center for community activities, open to the public outside of school hours. This inclusivity allows for out-of-school activities such as seminars and courses that benefit both children and their families, providing an exemplary understanding of education and life in the society.
The school's circular boundaries are designed to provide a sense of protection and security, resembling the belief in ancestral spirits that guide and safeguard the Casamance people. This thick walls isolate the children from the immediate environment, while niches on it encourage interaction and activate the children and reveal the energy of the place, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence.
Open and semi-open spaces within the school emphasizes creating an environment that encourages physical activity and exploration for children aged 6-11 such as vegetable gardens, playgrounds, and sand gardens which allow for freedom of movement. Six classrooms can be flexible, with folding doors between units, enabling joint lessons and accommodating different group sizes.
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