Omar Harb

advisor

Phoenicia University

Lebanon

As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more

Feedback: Umushila wa kwishiba
This project presents a beautifully conceptualized and deeply resonant vision for a sustainable and inclusive educational space in rural Kashitu, Zambia. Your team has crafted a design that genuinely embodies a strong connection to local traditions, environmental conditions, and community needs.

The project idea is exceptionally strong, drawing inspiration from the resilient baobab tree to shape a school that fosters cultural exchange, community gathering, and hands-on learning. This metaphor of a school that "grows with its people" is powerful and establishes a clear, inspiring goal.

The project description effectively translates this vision into a holistic educational environment. By designing spaces as "moments of encounter" with knowledge, others, and nature, and incorporating open courtyards and covered paths, you've ensured the layout promotes continuity, harmony, and belonging. The inspiration from traditional Zambian homes further grounds the school as a living organism rooted in its community, making it far more than just a collection of buildings.

From a technical information perspective, the commitment to sustainable and context-appropriate construction is highly commendable. The use of compressed earth blocks (CEB), locally manufactured with manual presses and interlocking to eliminate mortar, is an excellent choice for cost-effectiveness, local labor involvement, and environmental impact reduction. The concrete strip foundations provide a robust base. The roofing system, combining galvanized metal sheets with local Mukwa wood beams treated for durability, demonstrates practical material selection. Crucially, the addition of a compacted clay layer beneath the metal sheets for noise reduction and acoustic comfort is a thoughtful detail often overlooked in similar projects. Finally, the integration of celosías made with adobe panels and bamboo rollers for passive airflow and natural lighting, along with local wooden frames for openings, showcases a sophisticated approach to climate adaptability and easy maintenance.

To further enhance this already exemplary project, consider these aspects:

Quantifying Environmental Performance: While passive strategies are well-described, providing more specific metrics on how these choices contribute to thermal comfort (e.g., estimated temperature reduction, thermal mass performance) or energy savings would strengthen the technical argument.
Scalability and Replication Details: Given the rural context and the project's sustainability, elaborate on how the design or construction methodology could be easily scaled or replicated in other similar communities within Zambia, perhaps detailing modularity or community training programs for construction beyond the initial build.
Post-Occupancy Evolution and Community Engagement: How might the school be designed to flexibly adapt to future educational needs or community growth over time? Furthermore, how is the "hands-on learning" integrated into the actual building's maintenance or future modifications, fostering long-term community stewardship?