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MALAWI LIBRARY

Lilongwe, Malawi. 2016

Description +

PROGRAM: Library and Masterplan

CLIENT: Miracle for Africa Foundation

SIZE: Library

SIZE: Masterplan

STATUS: In Design

The 6,500 sqm. library is organized via a section that provides maximum reflected light to the interior with optimum solar PV collection on the roofs. Natural light bouncing off curved prefabricated roof structures made of Ductile concrete form space like a “field within a field.”

The free plan library has meeting rooms and archives encased in glass for sound isolation and humidity control. A central rain collecting pool demarks the main circulation desk and ripples through the roof geometry like a wave field in cloud-like light.

The construction will utilize local materials and local labor. Screens of locally crafted bamboo plywood define the building perimeter leaving a shaded arcade space all around. The comfort concept is based on the local identity of the site at an altitude of 1250 m, with high solar gains from high sun positions, a temperature profile dominated by the rain season with a few peaks above 35°C, but cool nights below 22°C.

Limiting solar gains with roof overhangs but supporting cross ventilation of the building by permeable but dust filtering facades in combination with exposed thermal mass to buffer the free night cooling keeps the operative temperature in a comfortable band without any mechanical conditioning.

The curved roof blades allow load free daylight supply from South and maximize the energy collection surfaces for roof integrated photovoltaic. Already 20% of the roof are sufficient for a net zero energy balance of the library, and the other 80% of the fully PV covered roof will be used to feed further buildings on the campus.

This library will be the initial construction of a new campus whose master plan morphology has been inspired by paintings of a Malawi batik artists.  All buildings will be within a 5 minute walking distance ensuring that the campus is pedestrian oriented.

Malawi, called “The Warm Heart of Africa” has a population of 16.7 million. It is among the smallest countries in Africa (Lake Malawi is 1/3 its area). It is among the world’s least developed countries with the world’s lowest income per person (according to World Bank Report, 2016). The Miracle for Africa Foundation aims to serve the people of Malawi and Africa in need by expanding healthcare, education, and agricultural opportunities.

Learn more about the Miracle for Africa Foundation here.

To see more about the related Malawi Masterplan, visit the project page here.

Ecological Innovation +

– 太阳能屋面板

– 自然光源

– 66,000平方英尺图书馆,提供最大程度室内漫反射光的剖面关系,在屋顶采用最适宜当地光伏太阳能板

–雨水回收池

– 本地工人施工

– 以本地工艺制造的竹木板屏风来界定建筑周圈

–交叠悬置的屋面限制部分太阳能的收集,但支持建筑的对流通风

–弯曲叶片形屋顶可将日光引入室内,同时在屋面设置光伏太阳能板进行最大化能量收集

Credits +

  • architect

    - Steven Holl Architects

    Steven Holl (design architect, principal)

    JongSeo Lee (senior associate in charge)

    Hannah Ahlblad, Lourenz Amaro de Oliveira, Okki Berendschot, Suk Lee (project team)

  • associate architects

    - Junglim Architecture

  • structural engineer

    - Silman

  • MEP engineer

    - Transsolar

News +


  • 2017 09/09 Steven Holl Architects’ Malawi Library One of Eleven Winners for LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 Middle East + Africa Competition
  • 1969 12/31 An Iconic Marker
  • 2016 10/04 Steven Holl Architects has been retained to design a central library and five million square meter campus masterplan in Malawi
  • 2016 12/09 Library and Campus Masterplan Approved by the Miracle for Africa Foundation in Malawi, Africa

Awards +


  • 2017 LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 for Middle East + Africa
  • 2018 Progressive Architecture Award, Citation
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