NLÉ, the architecture and urban design firm led by kunlé adeyemi, has completed a set of classrooms and dormitories for a boarding school in tanzania. conceived as an immersive environment where students learn from nature, the ‘black rhino academy’ is situated on an undulating site surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. the masterplan for the campus is inspired by the region’s ancient civilizations where rings of small building units were connected by thorn bushes, thus forming protective belts around the villages.
all images courtesy of NLÉ
NLÉ’s masterplan sees the school program divided into three clusters: the ‘live island’, where comfortable dormitories with common lounge areas are oriented to face the rising sun; the ‘learn island’, which comprises classroom blocks and a school hall situated in a grid on the sloping landscape; and the ‘play island’, which will include a sports field located on the only flat part of the site. the clusters are interconnected by a pathway, which establishes a safe yet open environment protected from and yet within the wildlife.
the buildings are defined by their catenary arches
the buildings are defined by their catenary arches, which reference the site’s undulating topography. the brick arches combine the structural columns and stepped retaining walls within a continuous element that provides shelter and seating throughout the outdoor school hallways. the entire campus is connected by ramps that ensure access for those using wheelchairs. NLÉ has also designed the furniture found in each of the buildings, which was fabricated on site.
the ‘learn island’ comprises classroom blocks
NLÉ designed the furniture found in each of the buildings
the brick arches combine the structural columns and stepped retaining walls within a continuous element
the arches reference the site’s undulating topography
the entire campus is connected by ramps
windows ensure that the dormitories are naturally illuminated
comfortable sleeping accommodation is oriented to face the rising sun
the masterplan sees the school program divided into three clusters
project info:
client: black rhino academy foundation
program: primary & secondary school campus
status: phase I completed (2018)
size: 7 ha
team: kunlé adeyemi, farooq adenugba, marco cestarolli, bethan nelson, laura rokaite, berend strijland
landscape architect: inside outside
local architect: spacious architects partners
structural engineer: bezzallel + sam lld.
MEP engineer: alpha crown electrics ltd.
cost consultant: cost benchmark arusha
philip stevens I designboom
sep 22, 2018