Architectural model of a modern building with surrounding trees and miniature people walking by.

Sambou Toura Drame School

The Sambou Toura Drame Elementary School in Senegal is a low-cost, sustainable project that reimagines local materials in a bold geometric form, creating a unique identity for the school and educational experience for the children. Constructed using cob walls—made of clay, earth, bamboo, and water—the design leverages Marsassoum's clay-rich soil and abundant bamboo for structural stability. Curved walls enhance circulation and guide movement, enclosing a central courtyard that serves as a communal space. The courtyard preserves a moraceae tree, anchoring activities like learning, gardening, and tending chickens. Sloping corrugated metal roofs collect rainwater, while elevated roofing promotes natural ventilation through prevailing southwestern winds. This design offers a sustainable, climate-responsive environment while fostering a vibrant learning community.

Competition 2020

Location: Marsassoum, Senegal

Size: 920 square meters

Architectural model of a modern building with trees and people in front
Architectural model of a building with curved brown walls, multiple tiered seating, and small white figurines representing people, set on a textured surface.
Architectural diagram of a school building with labeled sections including roof outline, classroom, polished concrete floor, canteen and auditorium, secondary entrance, director's office and teacher's lounge, courtyard, garden, library, main entrance, cob wall construction, Moraceae tree, and composting latrine.
Diagram of a wall section showing construction layers including painted corrugated metal roofing, bamboo sound damping, roof framing, bamboo screen, wall plate, plaster finish, lime render, cob wall, stone foundation, concrete finish, slope, foundation, and drainage elements.
Diagram and instructions for constructing a cob wall using clay, earth, straw, and water, with steps including mixing, combining, adding water, stamping, adding straw, rolling, forming blocks, trimming, Thwacking, and compressing the wall.