Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Architects: Atelier KOE
Location: Dakar, Senegal Senegal
Interior Décor: Atelier KOE
Project Year: 2014
Photographer: Atelier KOE
Website: www.atelierkoe.fr

- 27 January 2016
- Karanja Samuel
Residential , Sustainability , Contemporary African Directory , Conservation Architecture ,

From the Architects
The project Al Hamra resulted from a meeting between a young client in Dakar and Atelier KOE. The buzzing capital of Senegal led him to explore a remote area of the bush, where he eventually wanted to settle.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

The question was how to build and live in this seemingly hostile environment?

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Atelier KOE found the response to both the architectural aesthetic as well as energy autonomy. The spacious residence, built entirely with stabilized earth bricks, totals 400m2 divided into six suites, a large living area, kitchen and dining room. This house was built as a place of open hospitality, welcoming guests with an interior peristyle and quiet fountain. A 12 meter wind tower helps circulate fresh air throughout the building year round.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

More than a relaxing escape from the city, the site was also designed as a working farm, where livestock and agriculture thrive on the land. The entire property is planted with fruit trees, grains, peanut, vegetable and grain crops. This natural vista emerges through the large arched doors and windows of the villa with additional views of the stables and chicken coup.

House Al Hamra / Atelier KOE

Working around the idea of autonomy, Atelier KOE developed a multi-faceted project which offers different levels of privacy, tranquility or activity. Social, cultural and agriculture dynamics seamlessly interact, inside and outside the building.

The architecture, inspired by the site and its surrounding terrain, have brought the land to life. As both villa and farm, Al Hamra functions in its beauty and purpose.

- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 01
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 2
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe Main Image
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 6
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe Section
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 5
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 07
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 8
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 09
- © House Diapo Alhamra Atelierkoe 10

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

If you want your own avatar and keep track of your discussions with the community, sign up to archiDATUM >>

SELECTED WORKS

- African Wildlife Foundation Ilima School Mass Design Group
- 09 Sep 2015
You give, they give, we all give. That is the mindset that Mass Design group entered the Ilima School project with, that a little care fr...
- L’Amandier Hotel / Nick Gowing Architects
- 13 Aug 2018
Nick Gowing's L’Amandier Hotel emerges from the rich, red earth of the L’Amandier Plateau. So, whilst remaining true to the natural colou...
- Villa Z / Mohammed Amine Siana
- 30 May 2016
The Villa Z is a product of very strict city regulations, ones that ultimately confined the building into a 15m distance in a tight squar...

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DIRECTORY

- Equatorial Guinea Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy / Saraivae + Associados
- 19 May 2015
Government buildings, in any developing country should set the pace for innovation, technology, sustainability and high-tech solutions fo...
- Koudougou Central Market / Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation + Laurent Séchaud
- 28 Oct 2015
Designed as an urban community project, the mission and end goal of the design was to improve the human spirit by responding to the growi...
- Arijiju Resort / Life Grand Group
- 02 Apr 2017
Arijiju lies on the lowland. The building behaves as though it has always been on that warm stone hillside with living, grassed roofs tha...