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The project area is located in Sambacounda, in the Valley of Tanaf. The site is a point of connection among several villages in the surroundings and it is placed 7km far from the Casamance river. The market of Tanaf is a meeting point for commerce that attracts not only the locals but also those from the villages in the proximity. Once a week there is a big market rea-ched from sellers of products who come walking 20km with a basket on their head. During the week it host a smaller market, which arises from indispensable purchase of objects or food. Normally the market is made by a large shed or by a series of stalls that are disorderly distributed around a central area where they sell food. The stalls draw articulated and narrow pathways as well as they provide breakfast for people. The traditional center of the market is an open space covered by a curtain. The products are placed directly on the floor, therefore different diseases might easily spread out. The aim was to respond to basic needs and health criteria to allow good ventilation and better conditions, since the market is not sheltered or even protected by tents. Our first approach was based on the analysis of the tradi¬tional features of the market, mainly focusing on the culture and social context. Reflecting on the meaning of the market place we highli¬ghted its qualities and tourned them into potential driving forces for our project: the market is not only a trading place, it is a space for sharing life, where diffent activities take place. Since tha market shapes itself according to the weekly schedule, it needs a flexible organization. Our project responds to users’ needs and to senegalese habits. The space is designed to meet daily activities such as prayer time, daily meals, celebration and commercial exchange. The initial concept was developed starting from the study of a round shape which derives from weaved straw baskets, traditionally carried on the top of women’s head wich is a symbolic image of the african spirit. Another inspiring image was the one of the traditional senegalese house: it has a round shape with a inner court enlightned by a cone that let the light enter in, creating a suffused and suggestive atmosphere. The circle is used to build for communal space as well as private homes. Therefore we decided to reinterprete and play with this form, applying local structural techniques and natural materials, adopting a sustainable approach and fine lines. The plan is designed to guide people towards the core of the market, through a straight pathway which keeps the perspective fixed on the central cone: the gathering space. This one is characterized by a light well with a rain collector embedded in the ground. The inclinations of the roof guarantee the correct flow of water directly to the pool, which is then canalized through an underground system of pipes. The collected water is subsequently stored into tanks and then used for phytopurification. This situation happens over the rainy seasons. On the contrary the central pool works as a ‘plaza’, which means that it changes within the seasons and in drought periods it becomes a theatre for performances and dances. The main axe is populated by stalls that present a large variety of Senegalese items, artefacts and food, freely organised depending on the specific necessity. During the big market event the space comes to life with the colourful stalls of people coming from the surroundings. The activities are separated between each other depen¬ding on the products that are on display. We then decided to have different kinds of pavements that come from an analysis and combination of local materials: laterite, river sand and stones, pure clay, wood, shells of Casamance and waste materials. The final result is a joyous patchwork of ground textures. Our proposal for the stall is a modular system made of wood and bamboo trunks: it can have different shapes according to the use and products that are sold. The module is a box that opens itself and becomes a stand with supports that allows sellers to hang their stuff. At the end of the day, the box can be closed and becomes a storage for products, so that to prevent theft or damages from animals. The external vision is thought as a furniture element in the natural land¬scape. The design of the market coincides with the design of the roof: it is composed by two layers. The main structure, which holds the covering and defines the pathways, is made of timber tied up with palm fibres. The secondary structure resembles a blanket of natural elements laid down on the primary structure. It is additional¬ly supported by a grid of light bamboo trunks that allow the flexibility and the curved line of the roof. The final aspect is refined by a layer of dried palm leaves weaved together like braids that prevent the water to flow inside the market. Another relevant feature of the chosen shape derives from the study of sun light so that during daytime shadows and shelters are provided for sellers. Moreover, the inclination allows the flow of air and a good ventilation, that is an important aspect for health care and diseases prevention. The final result is an open air market that becomes a new landmark for the community and territory, and give a new place for gathering and sharing different activities and moments of everyday life. As far as we are concerned, we think this plan responds efficiently to people’s needs without having an aggressive impact on their cultural and natural heritage, since it was conceived starting from senegalese traditional construction systems and reviewed in a modern approach. We aimed to design an unconventional architecture, and finally we managed to convey the idea of a lively and welcoming space for everyone.
Project by:
Kengo Kuma Associates_Kengo Kuma
Tokyo University_Ko Nakamura
Gabriele Castellano, Olga Cottone, Ambra Delogu, Elena De Santis, Federica Giannone, Valentina Longo, Cristina Magrì, Maite Margalho, Cristina Paci, Alessio Trovato
