'l'assemblée radieuse, assembly hall' by WORK architecture company (WORKac), libreville, gabon
image © WORKac
new york-based firm WORK architecture company have recently won the competition to design 'l'assemblee radieuse,' the new
assembly hall for the 2014 summit of the african union in libreville, gabon. the circular footprint and dramatically sloping roof
encompass the assembly, conference and dining facilities in three diverse courtyards that represent each of the country's unique
ecosystems. the canopy grows out of the hills of the 'cité de la démocratie,' the new diplomatic quarter that surrounds the site.
a central 1000-seat auditorium can be split into two acoustically refined assembly spaces, buffered on the perimeter by a banquet hall,
meeting rooms, and smaller auditoriums. a network of semi-enclosed 'philosophers' paths' connect the courtyards while a promenade
circulates larger numbers of visitors with informal meeting spots throughout the sequence of entry and exit.
the project, like its host country, will boast an extensive and intelligent use of active and passive sustainable strategies. structural
components from a previously existing conference center will be re-used to minimize the use of extra material. african limestone
sun-shading louvers wrap the skin of the entire construct, also serving a distinct aesthetic purpose. each of the open-air courtyards
provide points for ventilation and light catchment, while the roof collects rainwater, channeled into a waterfall before being recycled.
road leading to the entrance
image © WORKac
courtyard with a unique ecosystem and waterfall from collected rainfall
image © WORKac
louvers create the skin and shade the interior
image © WORKac
auditorium
image © WORKac
site plan
image © WORKac
floor plan / level 0
image © WORKac
section
image © WORKac
elevation
image © WORKac
model
image © WORKac
model
image © WORKac