Boisrond Tonnerre School, Haiti
Pétionville / Haiti
Why we are working on this project
Following the 2010 earthquake which devastated vast communities across Haiti, Article 25 collaborated with Outreach International to design and construct a new primary school and community hall in Pétionville, a suburb of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
Our experience in designing earthquake resilient structures, as well as our track record in delivering educational spaces and projects in challenging circumstances, meant we were well placed to take on this project.
The design
The school design features six earthquake-resistant classrooms, a kitchen, toilets, and outdoor play areas. It also includes a main hall for larger gatherings and assemblies. All spaces are naturally ventilated and designed to remain cool during Haiti’s tropical summers. Anticipating potential water shortages due to climate, we added a rainwater collection tank and an underground water cistern to collect and store rainwater during the wet season. The design prioritised materials that were available in country, as well as local construction methods.
The delivery
After extensive consultation with all partners, the community, students, and teachers on the design phase, we then worked with local experts and builders to deliver a building that is earthquake-resistant and fit for purpose – its resilience enabling students to quickly return to a sense of normality in the event of a natural disaster.
The school, completed in 2019, accommodates 300 students and is also used outside of school hours for adult education, including classes in literacy, cooking, sewing and business. The school stands as a symbol of hope and strength for this community.
PROJECT NAME: Boisrond Tonnerre School
PROJECT LOCATION: Pétionville, Haiti
PROJECT TYPE: Education
PROJECT PARTNERS: Outreach International - Community of Christ
ENGINEERING PARTNERS: Buro Happold (Structural) and Max Fordham (Services)
STATUS: Construction completed in 2019
