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.

The Why Not Academy / Gaetano Berni, Ivan Cosentino and Giulia Celentano

Architects: Gaetano Berni, Ivan Cosentino and Giulia Celentano
Location: Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya
Project Team: Gaetano Berni, Ivan Cosentino and Giulia Celentano
Interior Décor: Gaetano Berni, Ivan Cosentino and Giulia Celentano
Project Year: 2015
Photographer: Photography project: Filippo Romano Video: Silvia Orazi - Fabio Petronilli - Maria Grazia Moncada Sociologist contributors: Marianella Sclav

Collaborators: Giulia Celentano - Maria Luisa Daglia - Luca Astorri - Francesco Segre Reinach - Conny Aieta
Agriculture project: Fabio Campana
Design project by Francesco Faccin

- 01 September 2017
- Datum Editorial
Sustainability , Contemporary , Contemporary African Directory , Materials , Editor's Choice , Education Centres , Schools ,

From the Architects:
The Why Not Academy is a school but above all a multifusion center for the Mabatini community, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Mathare slum in Nairobi. The school building project takes place in several phases. In the first phase of construction, wooden calls (twin pillars) were left in view of extending the school on a second floor.

During the work the school classes remained active and for this reason it was decided to build the first floor floor first and then to disassemble the roof. This yard set up allowed us to build the entire structure from the inside of the second floor.
The second floor buoys were made out of bamboo on the outside and in wooden aisles while the windows and doors were made with a wooden frame and bamboo tampons.
All the materials were found on the site, headed in informal quarters; And even the workers employed for the construction of iron balustrades are local artisans. Cypress wood of the supporting structure and buffer bamboo were purchased from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) 4 km from Mathare.

We have studied large classrooms that can be divided as needed to meet the strong need for multifunctional spaces.
Currently, the school receives 240 students attending 2 kindergartens and 8 primary classes. It is equipped with a kitchen and a computer lab. In addition to this, the school carries out many extra curricular activities, has started a tailoring for women, a talent academy; Runs basketball and soccer championships; Hosts a church during Sunday's day.
These numerous activities and the great community strength of the local association that manages it make the school a real civic center that is always open to the community of Mathare.

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