Construction of a Training Center in Louksi
Burkina Faso
A center for people with motor disabilities: accessible, functional, and symbolic. Three laterite units, built with local techniques, designed to welcome, train, and include.
Year
2015
Project goals
The aim was to create an accessible training center for people with disabilities in the village of Louksi (Burkina Faso), 15 km from Ouagadougou. Thanks to the initiative of the Association pour le Soutien aux Handicapés (ASH), the center offers a valuable point of reference for the local community and surrounding villages.
Site conditions
The project area covered 2,000 sqm of land with no existing infrastructure. The context was marked by limited resources, rudimentary tools, and non-specialized labor. Harsh climate conditions and strong social needs represented key challenges for the design.
Design approach
The solution was a radial layout made of three identical buildings – for training, administration, and reception – arranged around a central square. Curved forms and circular distribution of spaces encourage accessibility and social interaction. The project focused on construction simplicity and replicability, to actively involve the local workforce.
Details and materials
Each building stands on a raised concrete base, with domes built in laterite using the compass method, and steel structures supporting corrugated metal roofs. The design responds to the local climate: the elevated base protects from heavy rains, the domes’ openings allow natural ventilation, and the roof shields from direct sunlight while collecting rainwater into a central well.
