Details of the new Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development in Monrovia, Liberia have been revealed this week by atelier masōmī, the lead designers of an all-female project that will include exhibition designs from Counterspace’s Sumayya Vally and input from local architect Karen Richards Barnes.

The project supports the EJS Center’s mission with workshops, office spaces, exhibition galleries, a café, and a library. The center was formally established on International Women’s Day in 2020 and will now play host to the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize-winning former President’s personal and professional archives. 

The atelier’s founder, Mariam Kamara, says: “The design is a direct response to the history, climate, cultural, and architectural heritage of Liberia. The project is an introspection on the challenges faced and on the strength and hope brought about by inspirational leaders such as Madam Sirleaf. The first woman Head of State on the continent, her ability to bring communities together, and be supported by those communities in return, particularly women, was an important component of the conceptual vision of the project. The objective was to design a building that captured the sense of humility, service to a people, grounded in cultural authenticity and great vision that symbolizes Madam Sirleaf’s work.”

A collection of four pitched roof volumes references the local influence inspired by Liberian pavala hut designs and is connected by aerating courtyards. Locally-sourced materials such as raw earth bricks, fired clay bricks, rubber wood, and woven palm leaves unite the design with sustainability principles and the regional economy. Finally, a program of local plantlife aids in stormwater collection while endowing the complex with beautified surroundings.

“The project is sustainable at its core, developing a series of simple strategies for minimizing energy consumption and material waste,” a press announcement reads finally. “The design maximizes natural light over artificial lighting, through the addition of abundant skylights and windows, which helps to circumvent Monrovia's lengthy electricity shortages. Opportunities for natural ventilation keep the interiors cooler in the hotter months and provide a lower reliance on artificial cooling. This effort in lowering energy consumption will be enhanced by the use of solar panels to provide a sizable portion of the electricity for the Center’s day-to-day operations. The result will be a place that serves as a beacon in the world and aims to energize and instill a sense of self-pride and optimism in its visitors, particularly Liberians.”

No project timelines were available at press time.