Forensic Laboratory

Ecole Africaine des Métiers d'Architecture et d'Urbanisme (EAMAU) a Lomé (Togo)

Project idea

A vast territory of over 475,442 km² with a population of about 23.73 million, Cameroon is a country located in the heart of Central Africa. As an international crossroads for trade, with nearly 101 cross-border posts, three international airports and two deep-water ports, Cameroon is also home to many criminal offenses perpetrated by national and transnational criminal organizations. The tremendous growth of scientific and technological progress and the advent of the Internet have given criminals the opportunity to operate there while concealing their crimes. This has led to an upsurge in the phenomenon. Despite the security measures taken by the authorities, the phenomenon seems to be worsening and those in recent years.
While Western countries have responded promptly to the phenomenon by creating scientific investigation structures, Cameroon, like most African countries, has not done the same. Indeed, the country does not possess a real structure of scientific investigation at the forefront of modernity capable of offering support to the security forces in the fight against the criminal scourges that rage daily on the streets of national metropolises.

Project description

This architectural project proposes a technical and scientific police laboratory for Cameroonian investigative science professionals. It is a harmonious, soft and calm spatial framework that exalts among the users, rigor and discipline in the work. Given the sensitive nature of the elements it treats, the laboratory is an adapted framework whose layout and juxtaposition of spaces favor the physical and chemical analysis of the evidence in strict compliance with the rules of the art.

By its appearance and its monumentality, it refers the image of a building to the impenetrable aspect which dissuades from far or near, by its mere presence and also by its form. He always sends a message of intimidation to criminals, and at the same time a sense of security and protection to the model citizens. The frame is secured to protect personnel and equipment from external attacks. It is inspired by nature. It is a metaphor of the cellular universe, highlighting the lines and curves which, arranged according to a certain order, reveal the organic forms that compose the project as a whole.

Technical information

Gross floor area : 3 000 m²;
Site area: 30. 000 m²;
Building height: 25 m ; Building lenght: 115 m ;
Building width: 40 m ;
Estimated cost: $ 24 000 000.

Co-authors

M. Achille NDONGO NGUENDIA - Architect
Commissaire SEGOU Lucien - Forensic lab expert