Images - Regional Holcim Awards 2020 Middle East Africa

The virtual jury meeting to select LafargeHolcim Awards winners for region Middle East Africa (l-r): Mariam Kamara (Head of jury), Benno Hossbach, Elli Mosayebi, Joana Dabaj, Marilyne Andersen, Guillaume Habert, Linna Choi, Mohsen Ech, Zegeye Cherenet, Heinrich Wolff, and Luisa Pastore.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Interlocking adjacent structures, spaces are distinctly divided between service and served functions.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Main school library building and public plaza. The architectural language takes after local construction techniques and materials and adapts them for more durable future structures. The facilities in the school are designed to be accessed and used by the local community.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Aerial view of project, showcasing the modular buildings of the school complex in the Iraqi Marshes. The modules are adapted from the local arched structures traditionally built, using locally-sourced materials.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Open public spaces, gathering areas and landscaping take up the majority of the site.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Classroom interior, rammed earth material is showcased as daylight penetrates the space.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Library interior featuring an indoor courtyard, woven reed screens and floor-to-ceiling shelves.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Site plan.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Ground floor plan.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Modular unit adaptation from local arched structures simplifies construction. Shown in section A-A.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Used local materials and sustainable passive design strategies.

Earthen Education in Iraq

Noor Marji

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The system is integrated into the daily routine of a typical resident of Kasanvu informal settlement.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The system is integrated into the daily routine of a typical resident of Muyenga.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The Muyenga-Namuwongo neighbourhood is a typical illustration of the territorial, social and economic fragmentation that plagues the city of Kampala. The goal of the Connecting Communities project is to bridge over these gaps through the creation of a system defined by Points (social public spaces) and Links (improved transport infrastructure). This system works as an avenue that allows for people in the different parts of the neighbourhood to connect.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The system is created through the strategic location of social and public spaces which are equally and fairly distributed within the neighbourhood. Some of these spaces exist and are improved, while others are new and retro fitted within the neighbourhood. These social and public spaces are then connected by use of improved pedestrian transport infrastructure which facilitates and eases the movement of people from one part of the neighbourhood to the other.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The links are transformed from edges/ boundaries into social spaces that engage the community.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The system can be scaled up from the neighbourhood to the metropolitan, regional and global scales.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The maintenance of the system is a product of co-creation between residents and city authorities.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The improved pedestrian infrastructure incorporates an improved drainage system to mitigate flooding.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

The system promotes place making and creates safe, comfortable and sustainable streetscapes.

Connective Infrastructure in Uganda

Priscilla Namwanje

Various landscaping strategies on site contribute to fighting erosion and sand dune advancement.

Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP) is a multidisciplinary design firm with offices in Morocco and Canada.

Joudour Sahara focuses on environmental and social sustainability through the programmatic overlapping of the music school, ecolodge and anti-desertification testing ground. Courtyards between buildings promote passive cooling and collaboration between users. Outdoor reed canopies allow for active use of the site during the hot summer. Multi-use spaces such as shared administrative facilities and an outdoor auditorium reduce the built footprint and promote shared resources.

Longitudinal building volumes are oriented along the southwest-northeast axis in accordance with prevailing wind directions to encourage natural ventilation, and to block open spaces from the encroachment of sand dunes. Various planting strategies such as spiral formations and using half-walls to protect vegetation will serve as anti-desertification case-studies. The seguia (seen in blue) connects the site to the Drâa River east of the road.

Joudour Sahara is the first off-grid music school and ecolodge of its kind in Southern Morocco.

The palm tree grid seen in the foreground reduces sand encroachment, and walls protect vegetation.

M’hammid El Ghizlane is home to twelve tribal musical styles which are taught at Joudour Sahara.

This map demonstrates energy usage, water distribution, and circulation by different users.

A passively cooled occupiable water reservoir and anti-desertification eco-lodge room strategy.

The compost toilet system streamlines waste produced on site and protects a tamarisk tree.

Exhibition spaces promote passive cooling with solar chimneys and a solar-powered Canadian well system.