DJILAKH
Construction technique
Nubian Vault
Laterite adobe bricks made in situ
Elementary School Extension
Location
Djilakh, Sindia Commune
Thiès région, Senegal
Requirement
Additional classrooms
The elementary school is located in Djilakh, a village of approximately 4,000 inhabitants composed of 12 districts, 93 km from Dakar, in the Thiès region. The village counts two elementary schools.
Two buildings comprising five classrooms were built in 1996 by an NGO. Three additional classrooms, constructed in 1969 in the middle of the school grounds, are now in very poor condition and potentially unsafe. One of them is still in use.
The school currently accommodates 387 pupils, with some classrooms hosting over 90 students. To respond to overcrowding, a new 50 m² classroom was added for children aged 2 to 5 years old.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
This construction technique:
Uses locally sourced earth bricks
Creates self-supporting vaulted roofs
Provides natural thermal insulation and cooling
Ensures durability against harsh weather conditions
Minimizes the use of cement and steel, reducing environmental impact
The project was led by Chiwara, a team specialized in the Nubian Vault technique.
Up to this date:
387 pupils enrolled
More to come – Djilakh High School
There is no high school in Djilakh. Each of the two elementary schools hosts around 400 pupils, and most children walk several kilometers daily to attend class.
After completing elementary school, many students drop out due to the distance to the nearest high school, located in Takhoum, 7 km away.
Some students attempt the 14 km round trip daily, but fatigue, heat and long distances severely impact their motivation and academic performance.
The next phase of this project is the construction of a high school in Djilakh.
An international architectural competition is being organized for the second time by Archstorming, with the winner to be announced in February 2026. The focus of the competition is to experiment with innovative roof construction techniques.