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An executive master's programme thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


From Earth to Education: A Sustainable Approach to Climate Resilient School Design in Rural Zambia

Term

4. term

Publication year

2025

Submitted on

Pages

178

Abstract

This thesis proposes the design of a secondary boarding school in rural Zambia, in which different strategies are integrated to make the design climate resilient as well as providing a high-quality learning environment. The project is designed with a community driven approach, ensuring the needs of the users are fulfilled. An additional focus area is the use of simple construction methods from locally sourced materials, enabling the local community to take part in the building process. Furthermore, this thesis examines the relationship between a comfortable indoor climate and the environmental costs associated with achieving it in the context of a developing country. The final design seeks to reach a balance between environmental impact, indoor climate and user comfort, offering a solution that is both contextually relevant while still providing the design with architecturally qualitative spaces. Ultimately, this work advocates for a thoughtful approach to school design. An approach that embraces environmental responsibility, strengthens community engagement and involvement, and creates an educational environment through climate-conscious decisions.