News: Floating School nominated for Design Award

–A Nigerian suburb of Lagos, with an estimated population of over 100,000,  is building an innovative floating school to ensure better access to education for the Makoko population. The design of the school, nominated for a design award, aims to bring much-needed education to the children of Makoko, which was previously served by one Primary School. Its architects say it is an exploration of how African cities can cope with the breakneck pace of urbanisation, and with flooding and sea-level rise brought on by climate change.

The school was built by local builders out of reclaimed materials from the area: using empty plastic barrels abundant in Lagos as floats. A staircase on the side connects the open play area, the classrooms and a semi enclosed workshop space which is up on the 3rd level. The school opened in spring 2013 and can accommodate up to 100 students.

Images courtesy of: NLEWorks & GreenBiro.

You need to Login or Register to bookmark/favorite this content.