

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





3D model

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

elevation

elevation

elevation

section

chimney section full article here

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