This project was with a partner: Aileen Tang 

The main concept of the design deals with two contrasting ideas autonomy and unity.  Autonomy in a way that the main programmatic spaces are their own separate spaces yet unified by forming the focal point that is nestled at the lowest part of the site.  This focal point is a multipurpose amphitheater which ties in all the programs together to create unity.

Due to the conditions in Abeche materials are limited so the main material is derived from the site itself.  Through excavating the dirt to form the contours it is then reused for the rammed earth walls and mud bricks.  However not all the materials can come from the site such as rebar, concrete, corrugated metal, and recycled styrofoam.  The different layers of the building can be compared to the idea of a basket or a bowl.  When looking at a basket it is very dense at the bottom and becomes porous towards the top.  Similarly the building starts with dense rammed earth layers following by a lighter layer of mudbricks where the open rebar truss system sits allowing the light to enter the space.