Amphitheater in Burkina Faso

FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture

Project idea

There are three main zones defined in the area and these include the Work, Show and Labo zones. These zones are designed in circular shapes, which are complemented or surrounded by existing trees in some parts. The circles are supposed to represent communities - the strength of Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world. Community is an integral part of life of the majority of the country’s population (except for larger cities). Its functions cover sharing of space, needs, values, identity as well as a way of survival and a family. Circle is a symbol. It is open all visitors, performers, employees and students from all the directions to. The combination of circular roofs and existing trees, which are a natural meeting place in Africa due to its cold and shade, creates a space for gatherings. In total the zones consist of six circular roofs with square buildings located underneath. The principle of double roofing is used throughout the whole complex. It improves the conditions in the buildings as it allows air circulation and supplies coldness. The buildings of the individual zones are distributed in such a way that they are all accessible to each other and at the same time provide privacy, especially in the Work zone and in the accommodation area. The construction of the buildings will be carried out from the available natural materials located nearby. The aim of the overall solution is to create open, relaxed and safe atmosphere and affect the visitors in this way.

Project description

The complex has two entrances. The main entrance from the south is intended for visitors, the other on the north serves as an entrance for supplies and an entrance for employees. After entering the complex through the main entrance the visitor immediately reaches the Show zone consisting of two partially sunken circular roofs. The first building is the checkpoint, which serves as an information centre, a ticket office and security check. There is also a bistro with a café, part of the bistro is open to the flexible central space of one of the circles which provides space for theatre performances and meetings. The café opens into the second circle which can be variably used for concerts, gatherings and installations. The last buildings in the Show zone are designated for toilets. The existing building nearby is newly used as the Labo zone and it has three floors. The first floor accommodates two of the four classrooms (for dancing, theatre, music, circus) where the height of one of them equals the height of all the floors (designed especially for the circus), and there are changing rooms with sanitary facilities as well. The second floor is designed for two classrooms and the third includes an archive, a recording studio, a photo studio and a video editing room. The next and last connecting part of the Labo zone is accommodation. It consists of ten buildings built in a circle which are separated from the Show zone in the west and from the Work zone in the north by existing trees. Each building is designed for two people. The Work zone is accessible to visitors from the Show zone and guides them to the stage. The amphitheatre, the main part of the Work zone, is attached by two wings on the sides. One is the facility for performers and the other includes a room for the construction and storage of stage set and a room and a workshop for repairing and storage of technical equipment. Behind the amphitheatre there is a sewing workshop in separate buildings, two buildings with toilets (women, men), a garage and a meeting room with a kitchenette, all open to the centre of the circle it forms. The last circle functions as a separate toilet with three buildings, a toilet for women, men and non-mobile persons. This part is common for the Work and the Show zone and is intended for visitors as well.

Technical information

The supporting system consists of columns and walls. Columns made of steel tubes with a diameter of 100 mm support the roof with an axial distance of 4 meters. The buildings are formed by 150 mm thick bearing walls made of burnt bricks. The foundation of the columns is on the feet, the foundations of the walls form the foundation strips. The roof is supported by a beam structure and enables air circulation in buildings. Clear heights of the buildings range from 3 to 12 meters depending on the purpose of the buildings. The filling of doors and windows is made of bamboo wood. Window shutters protect from sunlight and allow ventilation.

Documentation

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