The #Startup_Lions_Campus is an information and communication technologies (#ICT) #campus, located on the banks of #Lake_Turkana, #Kenya. The project responds to the pressing challenge of #youth #unemployment faced in the region by offering #high_level #training and access to international job opportunities, allowing #young #entrepreneurs to thrive professionally without having to leave their place of origin. The #campus will provide 100 new #workstations and is the first step in an ambitious vision of spreading #ICT #networks in #remote_areas.
Text description provided by the architects.
The project celebrates the unique morphology and natural beauty of its site. It is built over two levels that follow the natural slope and features extensive roof terraces that offer sweeping views over Lake Turkana. The roof terraces are shaded by creeping vegetation, providing pleasant outdoor meeting spaces and opportunities for the informal exchange of ideas.
The building takes inspiration from the towering mounds built by termite colonies in the region. Tall ventilation towers create a stack effect to naturally cool the main working spaces by extracting warm air upwards, while fresh air is introduced through specially designed low-level openings. This system allows the campus to withstand high temperatures and is especially well suited as it prevents dust from damaging the IT equipment. In addition to their functional role, the towers create a landmark in the surroundings.
The campus is built out of locally sourced quarry stone with a plaster finish. In choosing which materials and construction techniques to use, ecological sustainability, cost, and availability factors were weighed to arrive at the best compromise. Collaboration with the local community was key in this decision-making process, drawing from their experience and expertise.
Architects: Kéré Architecture
Area: 1416 m²
Year: 2021
Lead Architect: Diébédo Francis Kéré
Construction: BuildX Studio
Startup Lions Campus / Kéré Architecture
Curated by Hana Abdel
July 01, 2021
https://www.archdaily.com/964238/startup-lions-campus-kere-architecture?ad_medium=gallery
