Kaira Looro Cultural Center | Carmine Gioffre'

The textured and tactile sensation resulted from the sight and sound of the kora, combined with the planimetric shape of one of the historic forts of Empire Mandinga, Bisandugu, under the Empire of Samori Touré in the second half of 1800.
That’s how the architectural idea of the Cultural Center of Sedhiou was born.
A place that comes alive from history and continues in history through today's musical narratives of Griots.

The complex is spread over two levels, topped by a bamboo frame and leather covered in palm leaves.
Open to the world and closed at the same time, to protect the mandinga's oldest traditions. The building, of elliptic geometry - as well as the Fort of Bisandugu - and open to the Mecca, creates an internal courtyard suitable for outdoor entertainment.
On the sides, the plans for the main functions of the Cultural Center rise almost hidden, to follow this protective embrace: on one side, the service rooms and administrative offices (info point, toilets and offices); on the other, fun activities and learning environments (entertainment, exhibitions and training). All this on a skeleton of wooden beams and columns, fixed to a concrete and brick foundation, suitably designed to collect rainwater that flows from the softened-shaped cover.
The materials used will be available on site.
The concrete used for the foundations, processed with the aggregates of the neighboring Casamance; the bricks for the cladding; wooden beams and planks for the structure and the floors; the bamboo and palm leaves for coverage.

An architecture that is apparently complex, but actually simple, strongly focused on the history and grandeur of a population, intended to protect them and ready to embrace the world around us.