CSPS Laongo: A Sanctuary for Growth and Integration, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
In the rapidly expanding neighborhood of Rimkieta, where urban growth often outpaces basic infrastructure, this project serves as a vital bridge between educational necessity and social cohesion. By evolving from a simple "classroom under a canopy" into a structured, integrated center, it provides a stable environment for street children and sports programs to thrive. The design honors the spirit of the original informal space while establishing a grounded, resilient foundation for the community’s future.
The Vision
The design process was rooted in the need to consolidate scattered community activities into a cohesive, functional space. Rather than imposing a rigid structure, the architects prioritized the flexibility of the site, ensuring that the layout serves both the educational and athletic programs while leaving room for future expansion. The central entrance serves as a deliberate pivot point, separating the staff and training rooms from the locker rooms and hygiene facilities, creating a logical flow that respects the needs of both students and instructors.
Tectonics
Materiality is the heart of this project, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding unfinished concrete constructions. The walls are crafted from compressed earth bricks (BTC), a choice that offers both thermal comfort and a tangible connection to the local landscape. The perimeter is defined by dry-stone walls made of lateritic rock, which anchor the building firmly to its site. These natural materials, softened by the inclusion of planted acacias, bring a warmth and human scale to the neighborhood, actively rejecting the sterility of mass-produced concrete blocks.
The Living Building
The project utilizes a clever "parasol" roof system—a metallic structure topped with ribbed galvanized plates that hover above the masonry walls. This detached, exempt roof provides essential shade, preventing direct solar gain while allowing for constant natural ventilation, which is particularly critical for the hygiene facilities located to catch the prevailing easterly winds. By leaving the majority of the interior ceiling open to this protective canopy, the design maximizes airflow and creates a light-filled, airy environment that adapts perfectly to the Burkinabé climate.
Data Sheet
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Architect: Albert Faus
Completion Year: 2012
Area: 215 m² (interior)
Key Materials: Compressed earth bricks (BTC), lateritic rock, galvanized steel
Typology: Schools / Community Center
Client: Friends of Rimkieta Foundation (FAR)
Project Gallery
