Primary school Balaguina in Mali

The architecture of the school is inspired by local building traditions. Like almost all Dogon villages which merge into the landscape the building fits into the surroundings. This is possible by using hydraulically compressed earth blocks that are produced by a number of mobile presses using soil from the construction site. Compared to traditional clay, these blocks resist the extreme weather conditions easier and provide an even more comfortable interior climate. The ensemble consists of the school building with three classrooms for 180 pupils and with verandas on both sides, houses for teachers, sanitation blocks, a well and in between a schoolyard with trees to provide shadow.