CEM Kamanar Secondary School Senegal building

CEM Kamanar Secondary School Senegal Building Design, West African Education Architecture Photos, Thionck Essyl

CEM Kamanar Secondary School in Thionck Essyl

post updated 25 May 2026

Design: Dawoffice / David Garcia, Aina Tugores

Location: Thionck Essyl, Senegal, West Africa

The modules are arranged in year-group classroom sets around squares and existing trees:

Photos by Amir Anoushfar

24 June 2022

CEM Kamanar Secondary School Senegal Building, West Africa

When architects from Dawoffice saw the overcrowding at Thionck Essyl’s only secondary school, they resolved to build a new one through their charitable foundation, Foundawtion.

The clay vault modules were produced using local techniques:

Climatic comfort and low cost were paramount. Clay, the region’s most abundant material, was freely available on site; the quarry became the school’s sports field.

A series of squares articulate the space and give value to the pre-existing trees:

The catenary vault form was chosen because it works purely in compression – the only stress that clay can withstand. Clay vault modules produced by volunteers using local techniques are enclosed with wooden lattices, allowing light in.

The vaults are made of compressed clay blocks:

The clay and lattices act as an evaporating cooler – no artificial air-conditioning is required. Grooved metal sheeting protects the clay from rain and sunlight.

Interior view of a classroom:

The clay and lattices act as an evaporating cooler: no artificial air-conditioning is required:

The building includes two administration volumes and sanitary facilities.

Each square is linked to a tree:

The detached modules or “awlas” are arranged in year-group classroom sets around a series of squares, each accommodating a pre-existing tree.

Outdoor seating shaded by a large tree:

A library, two administration volumes, sanitary facilities and a Foundawtion space complete the complex. Its modular form facilitates future expansion.

Site plan:

image courtesy of architects practice