The Machui Community Centre

This Community Centre built for the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood is located some 15 km away from the Zanzibar city centre, land inwards, among a coconut plantation. As the islanders are in the majority Moslem, it was not intended to let the 1,5 ha large facility appear too gigantic to the neighbouring villagers. A design principal was therefore to develop the complex in form of a wedge, the smallest part of it looking towards the village centre. Here the dominating material used was stabilized mud block, made from material found on site, mixed with lime and pressed. The design focused on creating green court yards from which all areas are communicated from and support natural ventilation. The facility has next to residential buildings also a medical clinic, chapel, Kindergarten and Vocational Training Workshops as well as extensive fruit and vegetable gardens, which allows the complex to be self sustainable.

Project images (click the image to start the gallery)

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