Gando Primary School

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product was implemented by Kéré Architecture via the  Kéré Foundation. 

Manufacturing/Building Method

The school was designed and built mainly using a local material, clay, for the enclosure.  The enclosing walls are made with a mixture of clay and cement for added strength. The bricks were cast in situ. The villagers are said to have participated in the building process: the children gathered the stones to be used for the foundation, and the woman brought water for making the clay bricks

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

The building was designed and built by Kéré Architecture sponsored by the Kéré Foundation. 

Distributions to Date Status

The building is a site-specific design. Only one school has been built with exactly the same characteristics. However, the architects are currently working on building the Gando Primary School Library in the vicinity, using similar design strategies.

Design Specifications

The design utilizes traditional construction materials from the area with some technical adjustments for improved efficiency. The classroom blocks are made with a brick cast in situ with clay, concrete, and an aggregate. The bricks provide thermal protection against heat, and are easy to fabricate. The design of the school targets good daylight and ventilation. Typical constructions in the area utilize metal roofs, which can receive enormous amounts of radiation from the sun and create overheating. Thus, the design proposes a roof that is detached from the main building block, on top of a clay roof made with bricks. The separation allows for improved ventilation and thermal comfort

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

 Bricks that make the building envelope are made on site with local materials, and thus, could be replaced

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designer has specified as performance targets: improved ventilation, thermal comfort, low cost.

Vetted Performance Status

No testing has been completed

Safety

Unknown

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

None