Hlauleka Secondary School
Academic year: Spring 2022
Studio: Studio Mozambique; Super Resilient 
Instructor: Maged Guerguis
Project type: Education
Location: Chokwé, Mozambique
In this proposal for a new secondary school addition to the already existing Hlauleka school in Chokwé, Mozambique, building/construction strategies were carefully considered to fit the broad scope of needs determined by this truly unique site. Because the school sits within an arid landscape that can quickly transform into flooded sprawls during Mozambique’s cyclone and rainy seasons, the primary architectural factor that defines the re-envisioned site is the use of two-story brick buildings. Utilizing two stories on as many individual structures as possible maximizes the site’s space and lifts half of the school up and out of reach of floodwaters. The use of masonry construction also allows the two-story scheme within the proposed master plan to be a feasible task for local builders in Chokwé.
This proposal aims to celebrate a place with a strong cultural identity while also grappling with unique climatic constraints. Looking at various case studies that deal with similar sites, climates, and building typologies, this project focuses primarily on the development of a master plan that takes into account all of these factors. Two buildings, the library complex, and multi-level classroom, were further designed and integrated into the master plan. Overall, the numerous architectural strategies present with the master plan aim to create a safe, functional solution for students and a feasible one for the long-term Hlauleka expansion plan.
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