The Mafabane Village School is conceived as both a learning environment for local children and an educational hub for surrounding villages, supporting long-term social development in a region where such opportunities are limited. The architectural concept is based on a circular layout comprising seven teaching blocks connected by an open gallery. This layout reflects the structure of the local community while also symbolizing the global circle of supporters and donors. Thanks to its modular design, the school can be built in phases and put into use at an early stage. The first completed blocks will allow the school to begin functioning. Each 60 m² classroom is designed to accommodate about 40 children, and once construction is complete, the school will be able to enroll 266 students.
Each building is based on a reinforced concrete frame (8 × 8 m) with walls made of locally produced compressed earth bricks, using clay from the site mixed with cement and sand. This approach reduces environmental impact while actively involving the community in construction. The lightweight metal roof, clad with sheet metal, uses materials sourced from local markets. Passive climate strategies are central to the design: staggered brickwork creates natural ventilation, while the elevated roof enhances air circulation, ensuring thermal comfort in the hot West African climate. Referencing local traditions of circular dwellings, one classroom is designed as an octagon, linking contemporary architecture with vernacular forms and reinforcing cultural continuity.
Close collaboration with the residents of Mafabane during site visits allowed the design to respond to everyday life while engaging the community as active participants in the process.
The initiative is driven by a collective of private individuals, including a local activist, educators, architects, and village residents, and is implemented in partnership with local construction specialists, supporting the local economy. The first phase of construction is currently funded through a crowdfunding campaign, focusing on the foundations and the initial classroom block.
