to research. They tested local building materials, focusing
on the strength and durability of local soil-based materials.
Some communities used soil to produce bricks but the
quality of the soil and fabrication process varied. These
and other local practices needed to be informed by tested
engineering options that increased safety and durability.
and locally sourced materials. This design feature and the
concrete frame’s modular form ensured the design was
scalable and replicable. Locals were already erecting
concrete frames, but the construction quality was poor. This
provided an opportunity to increase local skills in creating
vital structural components for future infrastructure.
Challenges: Perceptions
of local materials
The concrete was made from using locally sourced
pozzolana – a mix of clay and palm kernels – as a 30 percent
substitute for portland cement. Using locally available
materials for the infill walls also increased the sustainability of
the building and made it easier for communities to contribute
to the construction process and do routine maintenance.
The durable concrete frame is designed to bear the force of
shaking, high winds or other hazards. This provided the team
with an opportunity to use different or new materials for the
works without fear of compromising safety.
Convincing communities to build with soil and other local
materials proved challenging. In Ghana, communities
wanted to use concrete and other materials they associated
with development. Building school buildings completely
out of natural and local materials, and following vernacular
practices, put the school at risk of being seen as undesirable.
Rather than disregarding the community’s notion of progress
and pushing local materials for the sake of environmental
sustainability, the team had to build trust over time.
The community saw some value in vernacular design
but also wanted modern materials. The team opted for a
compromise in material choice consisting of a concrete
frame, with traditional materials like bamboo and stabilised
soil blocks used as infill walls.
At first, the prospect of building with mud seemed dismal
to community members. But after being trained on how to
manufacture the blocks properly, which included sifting the
soil and mixing it with locally available stabilising agents like
portland cement and pozzalana, the community members
saw the outcome as an improvement. The improved soil
blocks became more desirable and proved stronger than the
local concrete blocks. In addition, going through the entire
process of design and fabrication gave the community a vital
sense of ownership.
SECTION III: DESIGN
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By using a concrete structural skeleton designed to resist
seismic loads, infill walls could be made from renewable
Design specifications did not only focus on sustainable
material choices. The design team went to great lengths to
design the building for functionality. They created classroom
layouts to meet performance-based criteria for daylight,
temperature and acoustics. This provided a high-quality
learning environment without the need for external energy.
Every building element had at least two functions so that no
materials were wasted and add-ons were unnecessary.
Key takeaways
• Be sure the design team has done in-depth research into
local building materials, processes and aesthetics.
• Understand the gaps in safety that may exist in traditional
building techniques or current practices.
• Develop sufficient trust to show communities they can
improve and refine traditional building techniques.
• When appropriate, draw materials from the natural
environment. Be sure to extract at a sustainable rate.