Located on the site of a former toxic solid-waste municipal dump, this horticultural school, plant nursery and testing site was built by the NGO Medomed when Rabat’s municipality decided to clean up the dumpsite. The scheme incorporates Morocco’s first landfill biogas capture facility, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions while improving the watercourse and producing energy. The school was built using clay bricks from clay quarried on site, creating an opportunity to train local people in this traditional building method. The scheme consists of classrooms, library, administrative wing and cafeteria; the heavy, oversailing concrete roof provides shade and the earth walls keep the building cool, reducing energy needs.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture