John McAslan + Partners
Jump to the contentNeno Schools Project
Malawi, Africa
JMP's most challenging recent pro bono project, set up with the $100m Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi, supports the Malawi government's scheme to develop free primary education for all children in well-designed buildings. The first target is to provide schools at various sites for 10,000 children.
Hannah Lawson, co-director of JMP's Culture and Education Unit, visited Malawi during a four week feasibility study, and after selection of a trial site, developed with her team a preferred design option for a school building with teacher accommodation, and provided construction details in partnership with a Malawian architect and contractor. Theorientation of the schools in relation to sun-paths and local prevailing winds, are key to the design and construction of individual schools.
The first building type to be deployed will have two classrooms, divided by a teaching courtyard, under a 'lifted' and inclined clerestory roof with a large overhang on the sunnier side. The clerestory void will let light and air in, improving cross-ventilation at a high level to cool the underside of the roof. The buildings will be constructed using locally sourced materials.
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