MPONDAMWALA UNICEF SCHOOL, MALAWI

PROJECT INFORMATION

CLIENT: UNICEF
TYPE: Educational Facility
STATUS: Construction Scheduled 2027-2029
COMPLETION: 2020
ADDRESS: Mpondamwala, Malawi
IN ASSOCIATION WITH: JG AFRIKA ENGINEERS

The Mpondamwala school project, commissioned by UNICEF, was an upgrade of an existing school with the addition of new classrooms and a library, including teacher accommodation. The lead consultant and Project Managers, was the Cape Town based Engineering firm, JG Africa with Design Network providing the design and architectural scope. Our team visited the site to understand the local built environment, engage with local consulting teams and assessed the availability of local materials.

The project introduced a new dimension of our work, extending into the African Continent to expand our footprint on socially relevant architecture. The project was developed with good understanding of the climate conditions in Malawi and the harsh weather which needs buildings to provide adequate shade for the learners and users of the school but also maximising filtered natural light with adequate natural ventilation. The project also included facilities to accommodate teachers’ residences on site, providing them with opportunities for harvesting water to improve the quality of life in this remote area of Malawi. Completed in 2020, the project provides a safe and uplifting environment for children from the remote area of Mpondamwala, while also accommodating teachers’ residences with the objective to uplift the standard of learning and reinforcing the education programmes of UNICEF.