NLÉ Makoko Floating School

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

NLE

Manufacturing/Building Method

The building structure was prefabricated and assembled by local carpenters.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

NLÉ worked in partnership with Makoko youths and community leaders, expert carpenters, and local and international collaborators in the planning and building of the project.

Distributions to Date Status

A second iteration of the first prototype is currently in development.

Design Specifications

Design specifications:

• Program: School, Community Building
• Area: 220 m²
• Construction: Timber structure on base made of plastic barrels.

Technical Support

NLÉ cites that they maintained it for the first two years and the repairs and maintenance were performed by carpenters and building team. In 2015 it was formally passed over to the Makoko Waterfront Community and NLÉ stepped back and took on an advisory role.

Replacement Components

The prototype was designed with locally obtained materials so that people could potentially build similar structures and so that it would be easy to maintain. The MFS II prototype does not use local materials and so the replacement of components would require importing new parts.

Lifecycle

The first prototype collapsed after only three years of use. NLÉ cites that the collapse was primarily due to deterioration from lack of management after the structure was formally passed into the care of the community. Media articles highlighted some disagreement among stakeholders over the cause and details of the collapse.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The Makoko Floating School aims to promote a new typology of floating building for coastal regions. The building was designed to allow for passive shade and ventilation, and to offer open space for play and community interactions.

Vetted Performance Status

The structure was monitored in its performance by NLÉ for the first two years.

Safety

NLE claims that the collapse of the Makoko Floating School was primarily due to deterioration and lack of maintenance after the structure had been handed over after two years of informal use and monitoring. An alternate perspective is from the headmaster who was quoted as saying that the school had only been open for a few months when he decided to relocate the students because he could see that the structure was not strong. The school was vacated about three months before the collapse and so no one was hurt.

Complementary Technical Systems

The Makoko Floating school incorporated photo-voltaic panels on the roof and rainwater collection and storage.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

NLÉ cites that there were no regulations in place that would prevent the construction of this structure, and that the government never sent notice for it to be dismantled. They also cite that after negotiations with the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, that in 2015 they acknowledged the project as a potential prototype for the redevelopment of Makoko.

This is an article in the Vanguard from 2013 quoting the commissioner for waterfront and infrastructure development in Lagos, that the school was erected without the permission of the state government. In 2012 the government declared the Makoko settlement as illegal, and therefore some attribute the floating school as protecting and adding legitimacy to the community.

Other Information

Video by the Guardian

Video by CNN

Video of lecture by architect Kunle Adeyemi.

African Water Cities publication