urko sanchez designs a car-free village for children in djibouti

urko sanchez designs a car-free village for children in djibouti
all images by javier callejas

located in the horn of africa, djibouti is a country that suffers from persistent droughts and continuous water scarcity. within this context, urko sanchez architects was asked by SOS kinderdorf to complete a children’s village comprising 15 individual houses. the complex responds to the region’s extreme weather conditions as well as local community traditions.

the design team sought to understand housing in similar cultural and climatic environments, before basing their plan on three key principles. firstly, it was essential that the development formed a safe environment for children, with no cars permitted inside. consequently, this allows the scheme’s narrow streets and squares to become constant places of recreation. secondly, it was decided that there should be plenty of open space, with public and private areas clearly defined. finally, the team wanted to integrate natural vegetation, with inhabitants encouraged to take care of their own plants and trees.

the children’s village comprises 15 individual homes

all houses follow the same layout, but are arranged in different ways — placed close to each other in order to offer shade. natural ventilation was also taken into consideration, with chimneys positioned to discharge heat where needed. the project was possible thanks to an international team, with local builders helping in the village’s construction.

the development forms a safe environment for children

no cars are permitted inside the compound

all houses follow the same layout, but are arranged in different ways

natural ventilation and sun shading were taken into consideration

the scheme’s narrow streets and squares become constant places of recreation

public and private areas are clearly defined

the design team sought to integrate natural vegetation

inhabitants are encouraged to take care of their own plants and trees

chimneys are positioned to discharge heat where needed

local builders helped in the village’s construction

the project was funded by the german cooperation aid

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project info:

name: SOS children’s village in djibouti
location: tadjourah, djibouti
year: 2011-2014
client: SOS the children, international
architect: urko sanchez architects
photography: javier callejas

full team:
dji fu – chinese contractor based in djibouti
john andrews – ugandan architect based in djibouti
fritz bachlechner – austrian project manager based in kenya
estrella de andrés – spanish architect based in kenya
oliver kabure – kenyan engineer based in kenya