“Many Muslims today, of which I am one, carry with them a memory of the historical achievements of Islamic civilisations. What is the significance of this historical memory for the Ummah in the contemporary world with its many and varied challenges? How can we look back and reinvigorate aspects of it, and what level of significance should be accorded to it? Since there is this general feeling that something has been lost, it is critical to look back in order to look forward. This is the debate that must occur, in which there must be broad participation on a basis that, like that used in the Award, provides freedom for full exchange. The goal should be to turn this great resource into an intellectual trampoline to generate ideas for building the future productively and constructively in terms that will be meaningful and beneficial for Muslims generally.”
Shortlisted Project – 2014-2016 Award Cycle: Makoko Floating School, Lagos, Nigeria
Some 80,000 people reside in Makoko, in a stilt settlement south of Lagos, built over water, served by only one English-speaking primary school on reclaimed land susceptible to flooding.
The Floating School is a prototype structure whose main aim is to generate an alternative building system and urban culture for the populations of Africa’s coastal regions.
The triangular A-frame or pyramid (10m high with a 10m x 10m base), built from locally sourced wood and bamboo and buoyed by recycled plastic barrels, is an ideal shape for tall floating objects on water.
The structure has three levels: an open play area and community space; an enclosed space for two classrooms for 60 pupils, connected by stairs to the play area; and a semi-enclosed workshop space on a third level.
It is scalable and adaptable for other uses, such as housing, health clinic, market, an entertainment centre or an infrastructure hub.
Project Video
An alternative prototype building system that provides space for education and cultural programmes in Africa’s coastal regions.
Project Gallery
Sources:
- www.akdn.org/architecture/project/makoko-floating-school
- www.nleworks.com/case/makoko-floating-school/
- www.facebook.com/NLEWORKS/
- www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jun/10/makoko-floating-school-collapse-lagos-nigeria-slum-water
- What western architects can learn from Africa: Francis Kéré, Aga Khan Award for Architecture Laureate’s inspiring public-interest architecture
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Researched & Compiled by Arif Ali
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Ismailimail 
This gets my vote
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