COMMUNITY ROOTS

Project idea

Rural communities in Casamance are traditionally organized around two essential elements: the village tree and the communal well. The tree provides shade and a place for gathering, while the well supports everyday life through access to water. However, contemporary communities face increasing challenges related to climate uncertainty, limited educational infrastructure and the gradual loss of shared public spaces.

The project proposes a Community Center that reinterprets these two elements as a contemporary social infrastructure. Organized around a communal well and protected by a large canopy, the project creates a place where education, cultural exchange, community activities and water management coexist. Rather than being a closed building, it acts as an open framework that supports collective life, environmental resilience and long-term community development.

Project description

The project consists of a circular Community Center organized around a communal well. The program includes an education area, library and knowledge hub, creative workshop, community forum, rain gallery, service spaces and flexible gathering areas.

The central well functions as both a water source and a social catalyst. Rainwater collected from the roof is filtered, stored underground and redistributed through the well. The circular layout promotes accessibility, visibility and interaction among users.

The project prioritizes spatial flexibility rather than fixed room allocation. Bamboo screens create adaptable boundaries that allow spaces to expand, contract or merge according to different activities. Educational programs, workshops, meetings, markets and cultural events can coexist within the same architectural framework, ensuring long-term adaptability to changing community needs.

Technical information

The building is designed using locally available, durable and low-impact materials. Reinforced concrete is used only for foundations and underground water-storage infrastructure. Compressed earth walls provide thermal mass, climatic comfort and reduced environmental impact.

The primary roof structure is built with Bamboo Vulgaris, selected for its high strength-to-weight ratio, renewability and local availability. Corrugated metal roofing creates a lightweight canopy that provides shade, protects users from seasonal rainfall and supports rainwater harvesting. Bamboo screens ensure natural ventilation, daylight control and flexible spatial organization.

The construction process is simple and modular. Foundations and underground water systems are constructed first, followed by earth walls, bamboo structural elements, roofing and adaptable bamboo screens. The system can be built, maintained and expanded using local labor, local skills and locally available resources.

Documentation

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