Project Title: Haliaeetus vocifer – Empowering Voices of Tomorrow
Subtitle: Empowering Voices of Tomorrow, Soaring Minds, Strong Voices

This project is a visionary proposal for a sustainable school campus in Zambia, inspired by the national bird—the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer). Symbolizing strength, vision, and freedom, the eagle serves as a metaphor for the aspirations of Zambia’s younger generation. The school is conceived as a nurturing ground for young minds, equipping them with the tools to become critical thinkers, community leaders, and active contributors to a sustainable future.

Situated within the cultural and environmental landscape of Zambia, the design responds to both the educational needs of rural communities and the call for environmentally responsible architecture. It seeks to ground students in their cultural heritage while empowering them with modern knowledge and future-ready skills.

The overarching goal of the project is to create a learning environment that fosters educational excellence, cultural pride, and environmental stewardship. The objectives include:

Designing a sustainable and self-sufficient school infrastructure utilizing local materials and passive design strategies;

Embedding ecological systems such as rainwater harvesting, solar power, and composting toilets to promote environmental awareness and resilience;

Providing flexible and inclusive spaces that support collaboration, creativity, and personal growth;

Celebrating and preserving local identity through architectural language, construction methods, and community engagement.

By uniting education with empowerment, tradition with innovation, and sustainability with functionality, Haliaeetus vocifer envisions a campus where the voices of tomorrow are nurtured to soar.

The scope of this project encompasses the planning, design, and partial implementation of a sustainable school campus in rural Zambia, addressing both educational and environmental challenges faced by underserved communities. The proposed solution integrates architectural, cultural, and ecological strategies to create a self-reliant, future-oriented learning environment.

The solution includes the following key components:

Site-Responsive Campus Planning

Arrangement of buildings and outdoor spaces that respond to climate, topography, and existing vegetation.

Zoning of academic, administrative, communal, and sanitation areas for functional clarity and safety.

Sustainable Architectural Design

Use of rammed earth walls and Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEBs) to ensure thermal comfort and reduce environmental impact.

Passive design strategies such as cross ventilation, shaded verandas, and skylights to minimize energy demand.

Integrated Environmental Systems

Rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable water use including toilet flushing and irrigation.

Solar energy generation through rooftop photovoltaic panels to power lighting and water systems.

Composting toilet systems designed to operate off-grid while promoting hygiene and waste reuse.

Structural and Material Strategy

Reinforced concrete foundations with embedded anchor bolts for durability.

Timber columns and trusses to support lightweight metal roofs with integrated skylight sheets.

Educational and Community Impact

Creation of flexible learning spaces to support traditional instruction, project-based learning, and group collaboration.

Spaces designed to host community workshops and outreach programs, enabling the school to function as a local empowerment hub.

Cultural and Symbolic Integration

Architectural expressions drawn from local vernacular forms and symbolism of the African Fish Eagle, reinforcing a sense of identity and pride among students.

The project focuses on providing scalable, replicable, and community-integrated solutions that not only improve access to quality education, but also promote sustainability, resilience, and long-term self-sufficiency.

1. Foundation System

Type: Reinforced concrete pad or strip footing.

Method:

Excavation of footing trenches to specified depth based on soil analysis.

Placement of reinforcement steel bars in accordance with structural design.

Casting of concrete with embedded anchor bolts to receive timber columns.

Proper curing of concrete to ensure strength and stability.

2. Wall Construction

Rammed Earth Walls (with Openings):

Application: External and load-bearing walls with doors or windows.

Materials: Local subsoil, sand, stabilizer (5–10% cement or lime), and minimal water.

Method:

Mix soil to proper consistency.

Compact soil in layers (approx. 150–200mm thick) within formwork.

Cure for several days to achieve structural integrity and thermal mass.

Wall Thickness: Typically 300–400mm, subject to structural needs.

Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) Walls (Without Openings):

Application: Partition walls or enclosed rooms with minimal fenestration.

Materials: Stabilized mixture of soil, sand, water, and cement/lime.

Method:

Pressed using a manual or mechanical block press.

Cured under shade for 14–28 days.

Laid with soil-cement mortar in stretcher bond.

Wall Thickness: Typically 230mm (single brick) or 300mm (double brick).

3. Structural Framework

Timber Columns:

Material: Treated local hardwood or engineered timber.

Method:

Erected vertically and aligned precisely.

Fixed to the concrete foundation via galvanized anchor bolts and steel base plates.

Connected to roof trusses at top junctions using metal connectors.

4. Roofing System

Truss Structure:

Timber trusses pre-fabricated or site-assembled.

Spanning across building widths and secured to timber columns.

Roof Covering:

Material: Lightweight corrugated metal sheets.

Additional Feature: Integrated translucent skylight sheets (e.g., polycarbonate) for natural daylighting.

Installation: Sheets fixed to timber purlins with screws and washers.

Edge Protection: Roof edges sealed with galvanized flashing and waterproofing membranes to prevent leakage.

5. Sanitation System

Composting Toilet Unit:

Structure: Raised timber or concrete platform.

Design:

Twin-chamber system to allow alternating composting cycles.

Urine diversion system separates liquid and solid waste to aid decomposition.

Ventilation pipe to control odor and promote aerobic composting.

Access: Removable panels for compost removal and maintenance.