Fractal Swarm is a site-specific kinetic installation by French artist Vincent Leroy, situated within the open landscape of the Tanzanian plains. The project investigates the relationship between geometric systems and natural forces, allowing wind and light to shape its spatial expression.

The installation consists of an ultra-light fractal framework composed of repeated modular elements, some produced through 3D printing. Rooted in principles of repetition and self-similarity, the structure begins as a precise geometric configuration. Through environmental interaction, however, the rigid mathematical system shifts visually toward a more fluid and organic presence.

The fractal geometry establishes a formal dialogue with the surrounding terrain. Its branching configuration echoes the silhouettes of leafless acacia trees and the fragmented textures of arid vegetation typical of the dry season. Rather than occupying the landscape as a static object, the structure operates as an extension of its visual patterns.

all images courtesy of Vincent Leroy

moving mirrored fins compose Vincent Leroy’s Fractal Swarm

Thin mirrored fins are integrated into the modules, capturing and refracting the intense light of the plains. As daylight conditions change, reflections alter the installation’s visibility, at times intensifying its presence and at other moments allowing it to blend into the horizon.

The structure is entirely wind-activated. Individual components oscillate and rotate independently, generating continuous micro-movements across the overall form. This decentralized motion gradually reconfigures the silhouette, producing shifting formations that recall collective natural phenomena such as flocks of birds in flight.

Through Fractal Swarm, artist Vincent Leroy translates mathematical geometry into a kinetic spatial system shaped by atmospheric conditions, positioning environmental forces as active contributors to the installation’s form and perception.

Fractal Swarm is installed within the open plains of Tanzania

wind transforms fractal geometry into living form

an ultra-light structure stirred by the wind

branching forms echo acacias and arid vegetation

a dense geometric constellation against the sky

metallic fins catching the shifting tones of the sky

a shifting silhouette against the sunset

gathering the final glow of the setting sun

the movement recalls drifting flocks in the evening light

project info:

name: Fractal Swarm

designer: Vincent Leroy | @vincent_leroy_studio

location: Tanzania

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Article 25, in collaboration with Tanzanian partners, has completed Kao La Amani Children’s Village in northern Tanzania. Conceived as a fully off-grid settlement, the project combines family-scale housing with shared learning and recreational facilities, using local materials and renewable energy systems to support long-term operation.

Located in the Kilimanjaro region, where approximately 8% of children are orphaned, the village provides accommodation for 60 children. The masterplan is organized around six domestic-scale cottages, each overseen by a live-in caregiver, and a central social building that accommodates dining, study, games, laundry, and kitchen functions. The spatial arrangement balances private living units with communal areas for education, sport, and play.

Kao La Amani Children’s Village by Article 25 | all images courtesy of Article 25

Climate-Responsive Architecture Rooted in Local Craft

Humanitarian architecture charity Article 25, joined with Tanzanian partners, centers the masterplan on six domestic-scale cottages. Environmental performance is embedded in the architectural strategy. Generous roof overhangs protect against intense sun and seasonal rainfall, while courtyards and dual- and triple-aspect rooms enable cross-ventilation. A butterfly roof over the dining hall shades adjacent outdoor areas and promotes passive cooling by drawing air through the interior spaces.

Construction prioritizes locally sourced, low-carbon materials and regional craftsmanship. Timber trusses form the primary roof structures, while doors and windows were fabricated on site. Upper wall sections are clad in locally sourced sisal poles, and bricks were fired in nearby kilns using agricultural rice-husk waste. Workshops and full-scale mock-ups supported collaborative refinement of detailing, ensuring accurate execution of passive design elements such as ventilated roof profiles and deep shading devices in a remote setting.

Kao La Amani Children’s Village completed in northern Tanzania

Collaborating with the local Engineering Framework

The village operates independently of national infrastructure networks. Electricity is generated through on-site solar photovoltaic panels; water is drawn from a borehole and heated using solar thermal systems; and wastewater is treated via septic tanks and a constructed wetland. These systems reduce operational costs and support long-term resilience.

Article 25 led architectural design, procurement strategy, and on-site construction management, working closely with Tanzanian architects, engineers, contractors, and craftspeople. Structural engineering was provided by Michael Hadi Associates, building services engineering by Hoare Lea, and civil engineering by WSP, integrating international technical expertise within a locally grounded delivery process.

six domestic-scale cottages structure the masterplan

From Play Infrastructure to Educational Expansion

In September 2024, a 30 × 30 meter playground was completed as a co-design initiative with the children and a local maker. The landscape integrates multiple play zones, including rope bridges, swings, sand areas, and timber elements, arranged around two small hills connected by a bridge. Solar lighting enables use after dark, and additional planting and a football pitch are planned.

Phase 1, completed in early 2023, delivered three family cottages and the central social building. Subsequent phases expanded the development to six cottages, staff accommodation, and landscaped outdoor areas, with full completion achieved in March 2025. Future plans will support a nearby school in Boma, refurbishing existing classrooms and delivering new facilities, including a preschool and primary school, so children have access to safe, supportive learning environments alongside a dignified place to live.

the off-grid settlement combines housing and shared learning spaces

courtyards enable natural cross-ventilation throughout the village

film by Avesh Gaur

a large playground integrates multiple play zones

a butterfly roof enhances passive cooling in the dining hall

bricks were fired in nearby kilns using rice-husk waste

planted pergolas provide shade in the garden areas

timber trusses form the primary roof structures

private living units are balanced with communal areas

children peer from one of the brick cottages in this village providing residential care

project info:

name: Kao La Amani Children’s Village

architects: Article 25 | @article_25

location: Boma Ng’ombe, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

structural & MEP engineers (Tanzania): Estate Care

local architect (Tanzania): Multiphase

QS (Tanzania): MK Arch & Plan

contractor: Mosha Building Works

solar engineers: Power Providers

pro bono technical collaborators: Article 25’s More Than a Building network, including engineering partners MHA Structural Design (Structural), Hoare Lea (M&E) and WSP (Civil)

video: Avesh Gaur

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Located in Kazole Village, Zanzibar, Lei Wa Lakom Library by PARALLEL STUDIO is conceived as a lightweight, climate-sensitive structure that prioritizes openness, adaptability, and human scale. The architectural language draws from Swahili principles of shaded spaces, cross-ventilation, and visual permeability, allowing the building to remain naturally comfortable while maintaining a strong relationship with its surroundings. Rather than separating inside from outside, the library blurs these boundaries, reinforcing a sense of belonging and accessibility. The envelope is defined by perforated opaque corrugated panels that filter daylight, creating a soft, ever-changing interior atmosphere while ensuring privacy, safety, and air circulation.

all images courtesy of PARALLEL STUDIO

PARALLEL STUDIO Adopts an Environmental Design Approach

The design team at PARALLEL STUDIO complements this environmental approach with an integrated water feature, which holds cultural and symbolic significance within an Islamic tradition, where water is associated with life. Timber framing and exposed structural elements express material honesty and ease of construction, reflecting locally familiar building techniques. The roof form extends beyond the walls to provide shade and protection from heavy rainfall, reinforcing the building’s environmental responsiveness. Internally, the space is deliberately flexible and non-hierarchical. Low furniture, open floor areas, and adaptable zones support reading, learning, discussion, and communal activities, particularly for children, allowing the library to function as both an educational and social space.

Lei Wa Lakom Library is part of the Parallel Gives program, an architectural initiative that explores how small-scale, socially driven projects can generate long-term impact through thoughtful, context-responsive design.

Lei Wa Lakom Library is located in Kazole Village, Zanzibar

an integrated water feature holds cultural and symbolic meaning

water references life within Islamic tradition

openness and adaptability define the building’s architectural language

exposed construction reflects locally familiar building methods

filtered daylight creates a soft and changing interior atmosphere

interior and exterior spaces are intentionally blurred

the library by PARALLEL STUDIO functions as both an educational and social space

project info:

name: Lei Wa Lakom Library

architect: PARALLEL STUDIO | @parallel_studio

lead architect: Mai Al Busairi

location: Kazole, Zanzibar, Tanzania

area: 94.5 sqm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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World Monuments Fund (WMF) announces the 25 sites on the 2025 World Monuments Watch. The international, non-profit organization first launched the list in 1996. It is a biennial, nomination-based program to build public awareness on how important it is to preserve historic sites and heritage. Among the 25 sites on the 2025 World Monuments Watch list, the Moon makes it for the first time. WMF says this is a way to recognize and preserve humanity’s first steps beyond earth, now that researchers and entities keep testing its properties. This year’s Watch includes a wide variety of cultural heritage sites facing major challenges. 

The organization enlists Gaza’s Historic Urban Fabric in Palestine; Ukraine’s Teacher’s House in Kyiv; the Historic Lighthouses of Maine in the US; Africa’s Swahili Coast; the Old City of Antakya, Turkey; and the Chapel of the Sorbonne in France, to name a few. In total, the 25 sites represent 29 countries across five continents and the Moon. These historic sites and landscapes are also located in Albania, China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Tanzania. The list is a result of over 200 nominations reviewed and selected by an independent panel of international heritage experts.

Cinema Studio Namibe | photo by Walter Fernandes; all images courtesy of World Monuments Fund unless stated

Regional trends from climate change to conflict

As the heritage experts review the nominations for the 2025 World Monuments Watch, they find specific regional trends. Climate change is a critical issue for sites and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, while it’s the rapid urbanization in Asia and the Pacific. Nominations from Europe and North America have issues with insufficient funding and resources, and those from Latin America and the Caribbean report tourism as a main concern.

Conflict and natural disaster are the pressing challenges around the Middle East and North Africa regions. After the announcement of the 2025 World Monuments Watch list, the non-profit organization’s team is set to evaluate the needs of the nominees and co-design plans for advocacy, preservation, and fundraising. After the funds are raised, the World Monuments Fund expects to collaborate with local partners in these sites to develop a preservation project to help maintain these historic places. So far, WMF has secured two million USD in funding.

ruins of Qasr al-Basha after a December 2023 airstrike, January 2024 | photo courtesy of Getty/Anadolu

Complete list of the 2025 World Monuments Watch

The complete 2025 World Monuments Watch list includes the Monasteries of the Drino Valley in Albania; the Cinema Studio Namibe in Angola; the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System around Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru; the Buddhist Grottoes of Maijishan and Yungang in China; the Swahili Coast Heritage Sites in Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania; the Chapel of the Sorbonne in France; and the Serifos Historic Mining Landscape in Greece. The remaining 2025 World Monuments Watch lists the Bhuj Historic Water Systems and the Musi River Historic Buildings in India; and the Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites in Japan. 

The list also includes the Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia; the Jewish Heritage of Debdou in Morocco; the Chief Ogiamien’s House in Nigeria; the Gaza Historic Urban Fabric in Palestine; the Waru Waru Agricultural Fields in Peru; and the Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery in Portugal; the Ruins of Old Belchite in Spain; the Water Reservoirs of the Tunis Medina in Tunisia; the City of Antakya in Turkey; the Kyiv Teacher’s House in Ukraine; the Belfast Assembly Rooms in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; the Great Trading Path and the Historic Lighthouses of Maine in the United States; the Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape in Zambia; and the Moon.

the Ramkund stepwell near Hamirsar Lake has stored water for Bhuj inhabitants for centuries

aerial landscape of a Waru Waru agricultural field

the Three Buddha temples at Erdene Zuu house a collection of Buddhist artifacts

Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the Moon

Snow-covered ruins of Old Belchite

rubble from the Antakya earthquake

Teacher’s House in central Kyiv, prior to sustaining damage in the war

Storm surf at Portland Breakwater Light (“Bug Light”), South Portland | photo by Dominic Trapani

mining loading bridge at Mega Livadi, Serifos | photo by Orestis Karamanlis

project info:

name: 2025 World Monuments Watch

organization: World Monuments Fund (WMF) | @worldmonumentsfund

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Architecture and design studio HASSELL reveals the 3D printed earth design for a central community building in Hope Village, Tanzania, in collaboration with local charity foundation One Heart. This building forms part of a master plan to support, care for, and educate vulnerable young girls within Kibaha on the eastern fringes of Dar es Salaam. The overall masterplan is developed alongside ClarkeHopkinsClarke (CHC), providing safe family accommodation, a school servicing 480 students, and childcare and skills training to benefit the local community. Hope Village alone provides a home for up to 67 children aged 3-18. 

3D printed earth building in Tanzania | rendering © IMIGO, courtesy HASSELL

3D printing the walls using local earth

The community building at Hope Village in Tanzania showcases sustainable innovation via new construction methods. HASSELL’s ambition is to incorporate 3D-printed earth into the design for its numerous environmental benefits, from the use of site-based materials and reduction in energy production to its recycling and afterlife qualities, developed in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). The architects plan on 3D printing the walls out of local earth. This process was tested earlier this year in a series of full-scale mock-ups at IAAC’s 3dPA Forest Campus in Barcelona, using 3dWasp Crane Technology. Instead of a solid barrier, the walls feature a complex pattern of interwoven layers for increased ventilation and natural light within the building’s interior spaces.

rendering © IMIGO, courtesy HASSELL

fabric-like roof made from locally sourced timber

The design brief required a large, open, and uninterrupted area with few columns to ensure flexible use by many. HASSELL achieves this by incorporating a central steel beam that serves as the structural spine of the hall, supporting a tensile roof framework spanning the entire community building. Jointly with structural engineers EOC, the studio designed an innovative roof structure made from small locally sourced timber sections. The roof will be formed by connecting short timber pieces to create a fabric-like structure resembling a woven timber blanket draped over the hall’s central steel spine. It will be supported by cladding made of corrugated metal sheets. Inside, a warm and spacious community-focused environment will unfold. 

rendering © IMIGO, courtesy HASSELL

a multi-purpose space by hassell for vulnerable girls in tanzania

Creating a multi-purpose space was essential, pushing the team to divide the program into several small areas or one large area to increase capacity. Additional internal facilities include a kitchen, bakery, and communal storage. The building, primarily serving as a school hall for gatherings and meals, will be open to all residents on weekends. It will function as a community hub for events, performances, connections, and reflection, becoming a recognizable landmark in Hope Village and the surrounding area. 

While focusing on educating and caring for vulnerable girls, the project emphasizes community involvement from start to finish. HASSELL, One Heart Tanzania, IAAC, and the CHC team will oversee the transport of essential equipment to 3D-print the building’s walls using local earth, creating job opportunities, training, and collaboration. This approach ensures the community’s active participation in constructing this central hub. Sponsorship and donations for Hope Village can be made on the One Heart website. More information is available here.

3D Earth printing testing at IAAC for Community Hall Walls, Hope Village | image courtesy 3dPA

image courtesy HASSELL

image courtesy HASSELL

project info:

name: 3D earth printed building 

location: Hope Village, Tanzania

architects: HASSELL | @hassell_studio

charity: One Heart Tanzania | @one_heart_co

collaborator: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia 

structural engineering: EOC | @eocengineers

renderings: IMIGO | @imigo.it

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Mariam’s Library, a project by Parallel Studio, emerges in Zanzibar’s Mwanyanya village in Tanzania, as part of Parallel’s Gives Program, harmonizing tradition with modernity. The design reflects a deep respect for the island’s architectural heritage, emphasizing sustainable practices. Material selection prioritizes environmental and local craftsmanship considerations. Working closely with artisans, traditional building techniques are seamlessly integrated, paying homage to Zanzibar’s legacy.

all images courtesy of Parallel Studio

Mariam’s Library project focuses on community engagement

Beyond construction, Kuwait-based Parallel Studio‘s commitment to community welfare is evident, with swift action taken to ensure team well-being. Mariam’s Library educational resource center represents educational empowerment and the transformative power of learning, innovation, collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement.

Mariam’s Library, by Parallel Studio, graces Zanzibar’s Mwanyanya village, blending tradition with modernity

as part of Parallel’s Gives Program, Mariam’s Library showcases a design deeply rooted in sustainable principles

material choices prioritize environmental consciousness and the incorporation of local craftsmanship

beyond construction, Kuwait-based Parallel Studio exhibits a strong commitment to community welfare

Mariam’s Library provides resources for learning but also sets an example of culturally sensitive architecture

the design weaves traditional building techniques into the library’s structure as a tribute to Zanzibar’s history

the educational resource center symbolizes the transformative power of learning, and community engagement

project info:

name: Mariam’s Library
architect: PARALLEL STUDIO | @parallel_studio

lead architect: Mai Al Busairi

area: 100 sqm

location: Mwanyanya, Zanzibar, Africa

video: Nassor Othman | @_nassder

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Developed by a cross-disciplinary team of architects — led by Ingvartsen Arkitekter — physicians, scientists entomologists, and the local community, the Star Homes Project provides robust and affordable housing prototypes for a healthy future in Sub-Saharan African conditions. These regions are projected to have a population growth of 1.1 billion people by 2050, which will necessitate the construction of millions of new homes.

Unlike most single-level rural Tanzanian housing, Star Homes’ prototype occupies two stories. The construction seeks to provide robustness, as many houses collapse due to the poor quality of their foundations during rainy seasons. Thus, each house is built on a raised concrete plinth, cast in a single pour to improve strength, and is backfilled with compacted earth, reducing the use of concrete. 

all images by Julien Lanoo

improved housing on family health in Tanzania

Proper ventilation is needed both for the house’s condition as well as for the residents’ health. Thick walls, common to traditional housing, absorb heat during the day and radiate it into the home at night which reduces the use of bed nets and increases the risk of malaria transmission. Cooking inside without adequate ventilation causes respiratory tract infections, especially in children and women, and inadequate water supply and sanitation can result in enteric infections.

Taking its cues from the Magoda project and traditional homes in South-East Asia, the Star Homes (see more here) is well adapted to the hot-humid climate. The prototype by Ingvartsen Arkitekter (more here) seeks to reduce both the environmental impact and building cost of the housing, offering better healthy conditions for its residents, as well as teaching the community new construction skills.

Walls emerge solid but are in fact hollow, including two thin layers of cement rendered on wire mesh. A skeleton made of 0.75mm thick prefabricated light gauge steel members can be erected in under two days by a local team. The resulting structure utilizes 70% less concrete compared with a typical concrete block design and 40% less embodied energy.

the star homes project explores low-cost, comfortable, and insect-proof housing

Regarding the interior, the team opted for breathable surfaces of netting to reduce indoor temperature and the entry of mosquitoes that can potentially carry diseases. On the ground level, the house accommodates a kitchen and storage area while the bedrooms are located on the upper floor. The latrine is positioned in a separate volume.

The design team utilized iterative parametric modeling and environmental simulation techniques, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to improve indoor comfort and the design of individual elements, like the smokeless stove. The exterior has built-in benches, while rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in a 2000L tank and through a first flush system, can provide free clean drinking water. 

the design of the houses aims to reduce rates of malaria, respiratory tract infections, and enteric diseases

all materials have been sourced from within Tanzania and constructed by a local team

the team opted for breathable mesh surfaces to reduce indoor temperatures and the entry of mosquitoes

unlike most single-level rural Tanzanian housing, Star Homes’ prototype spans two stories

The Star Homes Project is part of the ADFÆRD / VELFÆRD exhibition at the Royal Danish Academy. An exhibition model, built on a 1:1 scale, showcases the architectural elements and health interventions of a Star Home, as well as the spaces inside the house. Constructed in wood instead of LGS, the model explores the possibility of adapting different building methods and materials with lower embodied carbon.

photo of the model at the gallery ©Otis Sloan Wood

project info:

name: The Star Homes Project

location: MTWARA, Tanzania
photography: Julien Lanoo | @julienlanoo

team:
lead architect: Jakob Brandtberg Knudsen (Principial, Ingvartsen Architects. Dean. Architecture. Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation)
clinical studies: Led by Lorenz von Seidlein (Professor, Mahidol Oxford Research Unit, Bangkok / University Oxford) and Salum Mshamu (Founder, CEO & Lead Consultant, CSK Research Solutions Ltd. Tanzania)
research team: Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation

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danish architecture studio ingvartsen has completed ‘the field laboratory’ on an urban site in mtwara in southern tanzania. the two-story building is a base for researchers working on the public health, entomology, and architectural post-occupancy studies of star homes, a project which investigates the impact of improved housing on family health in tanzania.

the recently completed building challenges the idea that a field laboratory in a hot, tropical climate must be fully air-conditioned by aiming to have the majority of spaces passively cooled. this was achieved through techniques such as introducing large overhangs on the north and south façades and vertical fins on the east and west to increase shading and minimize overheating and glare during the day.

images courtesy of ingvartsen architects

the double roof structure is designed to reduce solar radiation and heat gains to the upper floor. the orientation of the building and the interior layout are organized for optimum airflow. spaces that are required to be temperature-controlled, such as lab storage, are well insulated to lower in-use energy demand. shared offices include openable screened sliding windows which enable them to be passively cooled for most of the year.

as some of the passive design strategies used in the project were interdependent, such as the shading fins and the movement of air through the building, different design options were simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to better understand which strategies would be most effective for overall cooling. these simulations enabled alternative layouts to be analyzed to balance different factors and ensure optimal performance of the building.

the interior layout is organized for optimum airflow

the lab was designed to have lower embodied energy compared to a standard concrete block laboratory building per square meter, which was achieved by enclosing only the necessary spaces and making use of a light gauge steel (LGS) frame structure and a hollow wall build-up.

the program is centered around a covered terrace on the upper floor, which provides a comfortable space for colleagues to relax, share ideas and enjoy views out into the landscape. the project includes bespoke furniture, kitchen and storage. internal spaces are designed to be flexible and adapt as building use requirements evolve.

the field laboratory was designed by architects jakob knudsen, hannah wood and otis sloan brittain with consultancy from salum mshamu and lorenz von seidlein and was constructed by eco homes tanzania.

the shared offices include openable screened sliding windows

the field laboratory has a covered terrace on the second floor

the building is a base for star homes researchers

vertical fins increase shading

large overhangs minimize overheating and glare

different design options were simulated using computational fluid dynamics

year: 2021

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom

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xcassia unveils plans for ‘zanzibar domino commercial tower’, a spiraling skyscraper on a manmade island off the west coast of tanzania‘s zanzibar archipelago. the massive 370,000 sqm mixed-use development will reportedly become the second tallest building in africa and the biggest hotel in east and central africa. the project takes design inspiration from the shape of stacked dominos and is composed of 360 ‘keys’ that rise toward an observation platform at the top.

‘as a legacy project, its story is as unique for the developer than it is for us,’  says founder and design director of xcassia, jean-paul cassia. ‘first sketched in paris in 2009 after my late father, two sons and I played a round of dominos, I dreamed of building this project for over a decade. between its innate mathematical order and geometries found in nature, its pure lines and proportions that evoke growth, progress and freedom, it had all the bearings of an icon anyone could remember and draw on a paper napkin. all it lacked was the right visionary investor and site to make it come true.’

image © TCG international consultants / xcassia

an emblematic tourist destination

tanzanian AICL group and edinburgh crowland management have now signed a contract for xcassia to develop the concept for the zanzibar site, however, the domino tower was initially in development for locations in both vietnam and saudi arabia. cassia continues,‘these were stunning opportunities, each with their own localized character and challenges. both sites proved inconclusive however due to height, budget, marine and infrastructure constraints, not to speak of the COVID-19 pandemic. the social media response was nonetheless impressive and it was thanks to this medium that we were contacted early in 2021 by AICL group’s executive chairman…’

envisioned as an emblematic tourist destination, the development will be realized on a 20-hectare, 4km-long site. the extensive masterplan comprises leisure, entertainment, retail, and residential programs with notable features including an island resort complete with golf course, and a wedding chapel on a private islet. the tower itself will house 560 residential units as well as a 5 and 6 star hotel and spa facilities. 

image © TCG international consultants / xcassia

‘positioned as one of africa’s first truly iconic global destinations for tourism, entertainment, culture and conferencing, the zanzibar domino will offer visitors, residents and businesses a multi-faceted program designed to create year-round distinctive experiences, professional pathways and investment opportunities,’  says youssef s. amour, executive chairman of AICL group. ‘we are thrilled to be working with jean-paul cassia and his exceptional partners and team for the development of this groundbreaking project.’

image © TCG international consultants / xcassia

image © TCG international consultants / xcassia

project info:

name: zanzibar domino commercial tower

location: zanzibar, tanzania

architect: xcassia

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approach

images by missing picture

the competition was launched in partnership with jubilant school and orphanage located in the kilimanjaro region. the brief called for the design and construction of a nursery school for orphans from 3 to 6 years old. the main aim of the project is to create a sustainable space where kids can start their educational journey feeling at home; a space to learn, discover, and play.

entrance

T R radhakrishnan‘s proposal looks to africa’s traditional settlements, where self-sustaining communities are grounded to the land. embracing these values, the proposed school merges with surrounding farmlands to allow the actions of the farm to become activities of play. by doing so, the project anchors its value on the belief that the future lies in self-sustenance.

play follows farm

alongside self-sustenance, the design also looks to play as the most integral function of the pre-school. the scheme takes advantage of the open, unadulterated rural context of moshi district to make learning an experience unbounded by the limitations of a classroom.

extended farm

the programs take the form of a boundary wall to create safe, inclusive, well lit, and ventilated spaces. this arrangement forms a central sloping void that blurs with the banana grove. a series of punctures are created in the bounding volume for circulation. the plinth responds to the sloping topography; with a series of stepped terraces that houses flexible classroom activities. the roof slopes down toward the farm and the walls are kept as simple extrusions with louvered openings facing the farm/play area. the structure is conceived using interlocking compressed earth blocks along with local timber. 

classroom

site plan

actions of the farm as play activities

sections

wall detail

project info:

project name: play follows farm

location: moshi district, tanzania

competition: earth architecture competition: a school for tanzania

client: jubilant orphanage

architect: T R radhakrishnan

visualizations: missing picture

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom

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