Kabala Primary School
Kabala, Sierra Leone
Construction complete 2007
We were privileged to work alongside a local community in rural Sierra Leone to design and build a six classroom primary school. The construction process used locally available materials — including compressed mudblock and locally- sourced timber roof framing — and local labour for the construction. Not only did school families invest in the project, but other “rival” schools sent their children to assist with construction by carrying mudblock from the swamp to the site, in a long local tradition of community building.
The buildings are designed to enhance the local landscape by taking advantage of existing site features, including the mature Mango tree at the heart of the schoolyard. This tree is the focus of the campus and is used throughout the school year for gathering and storytelling. All verandahs face this “quad” and are interconnected by paved paths to improve accessibility. The library and centre of learning is located where all the buildings come together, and features a double-gable roof form to emphasize its importance.
Today, the school has grown into a full secondary school. The education it provides is unparalleled in its local district, giving the school an impact on a national level in Sierra Leone.