#educationalprojects

Barcelona-based architecture studio Urbanitree has designed the African Flow School, a 1,600-square-metre kindergarten on the outskirts of Yaoundé, Cameroon, that celebrates traditional building techniques through modern educational design. Located in Soa and commissioned by the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the school integrates spatial pedagogy with environmentally conscious construction. Patterned rammed-earth brick walls and locally sourced hardwoods define the structure, creating a building that serves as both an educational environment and a teaching tool.

The school's design is organized around a U-shaped brick structure enclosing a communal courtyard. This layout reflects the mission’s "flow" pedagogical model, using spatial arrangements to structure learning. By combining low-carbon materials with thoughtful spatial sequences, the design seeks to harmonize ancestral methods with contemporary educational requirements. The interiors feature local hardwoods such as sapele, movingui, and doussie, while the structural timber – azobé – is termite-resistant and sustainably sourced.

Urbanitree co-founder Vicente Guallart explains that the project emphasizes reconnecting with local construction culture. "In Cameroon, 'progress' is often associated with concrete. For us, progress meant working with ecological, low-carbon materials," he stated. The African Flow School exemplifies how architecture can simultaneously respond to global challenges like climate change and urbanization while embracing cultural heritage.

Spatial Organization and Educational Flow

The African Flow School is guided by four ecosystems – mountain, village, savanna, and forest – each shaping the layout of classrooms and sculptural elements. At the northern end, the "mountain" comprises a blocky, stacked hardwood structure that doubles as a grotto and climbing element for students. Adjacent, the "savanna" and "village" include a linear hall with stepped seating and a curved chapel, encouraging both individual and group learning experiences. The journey culminates in the "forest," a gridded tree-house structure offering elevated views of the courtyard.

Materiality and Construction Techniques

The school employs rammed-earth bricks and local hardwoods to construct walls and interiors. Timber screens, perforated brickwork, and clusters of small openings filter light, evoking the natural characteristics of each ecosystem. The northern "mountain" area receives sunlight from above, while dappled lighting animates the "forest" space. These material choices foster tactile engagement and connection to local ecology and culture, enhancing both environmental sustainability and educational experience.

Environmental Features

Sustainability is a core principle of the project. The neighbouring water tower, constructed with a lightweight timber frame instead of concrete, includes photovoltaic panels to mitigate power outages. Low-carbon building materials throughout the school help minimize its environmental footprint. The use of azobé and other hardwoods ensures durability while supporting local craftsmanship and supply chains.

MaterialFunctionEnvironmental ImpactRammed-earth bricksStructural wallsLow-carbon, locally sourcedAzobé timberMain structural frameworkTermite-resistant, sustainable hardwoodSapele, Movingui, DoussieInterior carpentry and finishesLocally sourced, low-carbonTimber screens & perforated brickLighting and ventilation modulationPassive design, natural light optimization

Architectural Analysis

The African Flow School integrates traditional construction methods within a contemporary spatial strategy. Its U-shaped plan and courtyard-centered organization facilitate natural circulation and communal interaction. The use of patterned rammed-earth bricks and hardwoods reinforces local identity while demonstrating climate-responsive architecture. Spatial sequences, inspired by ecosystems, offer a layered educational experience, where each classroom environment stimulates curiosity and interaction. The interplay of light through perforations and screens enhances sensory perception, creating a dynamic visual and tactile environment.

Critically, while the design champions cultural heritage and sustainability, its reliance on specific local materials may limit scalability in other contexts or require specialized labor, raising questions about broader applicability. Nonetheless, the project exemplifies how contextually sensitive architecture can influence both pedagogy and environmental stewardship.

Project Importance

The African Flow School demonstrates how architecture can serve as an active educational tool. It teaches architects the potential of integrating local materials and techniques with modern pedagogical models, enriching the discourse on architectural research and design for learning environments. Its ecosystem-based spatial narrative encourages designers to rethink typology and user engagement, emphasizing cultural continuity, environmental responsibility, and spatial storytelling. In an era of climate consciousness and urban expansion, this project highlights the relevance of low-carbon materials and adaptive design strategies for contemporary architecture.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The African Flow School exemplifies a seamless integration of cultural heritage, environmental consciousness, and spatial pedagogy. Its use of rammed-earth and local hardwoods creates a visually rich and tactilely engaging environment. One critical consideration is whether these specialized materials limit replication potential in different regions, yet the project offers a constructive reflection on sustainable, culturally rooted design. Ultimately, it presents an innovative narrative for how architecture can actively participate in education and community building.

Conclusion

Urbanitree’s African Flow School is a compelling example of architecture that goes beyond functional requirements to become an educational instrument in itself. The project’s thoughtful use of low-carbon materials, spatial organization, and sensory-rich environments embodies a model for sustainable and culturally grounded design. By translating the "flow" pedagogy into physical form, the school nurtures exploration, play, and learning, creating spaces that inspire both children and educators. Its integration of environmental strategies, such as timber-framed photovoltaic structures, illustrates how architecture can address local challenges while reinforcing global sustainability goals. For architects and designers, the African Flow School underscores the importance of designing with context, culture, and pedagogy in mind, offering a blueprint for future educational architecture that is socially, environmentally, and culturally resonant

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On 3 September 2025, ETH Zurich outlined a comprehensive plan to refurbish the HIL Building on the Hönggerberg campus. Completed in 1976 and never significantly updated, the structure now faces poor insulation, outdated systems, and limited space for the academic departments it houses.

A Building Ready for Renewal

Home to the university’s Architecture and Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering departments, the HIL Building shows clear signs of age. Inefficient energy performance and obsolete services have prompted the university to set out a long-term redevelopment program. The goal is to modernize facilities and create a more suitable environment for study and research. The HIL Building front view, showing the exterior materials before refurbishment works begin.

Turning the Campus into a Living Lab

From 2026 to 2029, the building will serve as a living laboratory, where faculty and students will test ideas and prototypes in: - Energy efficiency - Climate-responsive design - Circular construction and material reuse The knowledge and results gained during this phase will feed directly into the final refurbishment design. The HIL Building aerial shot, highlighting its position within the campus and nearby green areas.

Construction Timeline

Major works are scheduled for 2030–2035, with plans to add new storeys along the building’s length. The project will also overhaul its infrastructure and services.

Leadership and Approach

The project is overseen by Professor Matthias Kohler (Architecture) and Hannes Pichler (Real Estate Management). Kohler noted that conducting research within their own workplace brings an extra dimension to the project. It combines academic inquiry with hands-on practice. The HIL Building side view, showing the longitudinal depth and window arrangement prior to renovation.

Broader Goals

ETH Zurich aims to transform an aging campus facility into a benchmark for integrating research, teaching, and sustainable construction. It will demonstrate how universities can adapt legacy buildings for the future.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight