The spaces are articulated around the central square, the modular classrooms and supporting environments are designed for children and the development of their potential and encourage observation, relationships and language development.

Globally, construction sector contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, which calls for a reduction in the use of concrete. However, traditional materials often lack durability. The project promotes resilience techniques using CEB (Compressed Earth Blocks), a low-emission material suitable for the rainy season.

This project was a learning experience for everyone involved. Fondazione E35 commissioned a construction and cooperation project, hiring a young professional to oversee the creative and bureaucratic process. The institutions in Pemba actively collaborated with an international NGO, committing to replicating good construction practices.

The local company worked with sustainable materials, limiting the use of cement and experimenting with modular design. Children learn through experiential teaching methods in spaces that are designed to be modified according to need.
During a day with elementary school children, E35 tried to stimulate their imagination about the concept of a kindergarten:
RAIN OF DRAWING: proposing the metaphor of the school as home (as a familiar environment), the question was asked: “What should the children’s house be like?”. A small school was drawn in the center of the sheet, and the children drew what couldn’t be described with words. Trees, balloons, helicopters and wooden boats appeared.

The unit of the classroom is the module to develop all the spaces of the school and measure 50 m2 and it hosts 25 children. The classroom is shaped following the archetype of the home, drawn by the children during the participation activity. The  carpenters built the hexagonal tables that allow different shapes of the classroom depending on the activities.

In the classroom full-height windows allow cross-ventilation and diffuse lighting, but especially provide openings for children to peek into outdoor spaces and the garden. At the same time, opening the side windows opens up a unified, indoor, dynamic space that makes the pre-school a gathering place for parents, educators, citizens.