Housing, Campus UCAD of Dakar

A symbol of excellence in West Africa, Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar (UCAD) is a benchmark beyond the continent's borders. The 14 new buildings, designed to house some 10,000 students, are spread over two sites (8 on the UCAD campus, 6 at Cité Claudel). The quality of the interior spaces and thermal comfort have guided the design, with a careful choice of materials, natural ventilation, a balance between solar protection and sufficient natural light, wind channelling, etc. The morphology of the buildings reflects this approach. The morphology of the buildings reflects this bioclimatic approach and respects current urbanization (limited height). At the center of each building, corridors and walkways create convivial open-air spaces. The first floors are home to communal services (laundries, study rooms, TV rooms, community rooms, kitchens) and a number of commercial premises that are an integral part of students' daily lives on campus. The facades, defined by the regular grid of rooms, are enlivened by moucharabieh patterns that provide both solar protection for the facades and privacy for the rooms. The claustras were designed jointly by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and the artist Alun Be, also an architect, who helped the team to understand the cultures present in the multi-ethnic University of Dakar.