Nigeria built a floating school

As the global sea level rises and floods become more and more frequent, architects are looking to build structures on the water. Floating school in Makoko, Nigeria is such a project.

For a long time, people living in Lagos city of Makoko built floating houses to live and trade. But this area has only one primary school, so the initiative of floating schools is well received by the people.

Floating schools are actually a triangular assembly project of NLE - an agency that has the mission to change architecture in developing cities.

Makoko floating school model is under construction. (Photo: Internet)

This three-story floating building will stand on the water thanks to a floor system made of 256 plastic barrels. Walls and ceilings are mostly made of wood and schools are lit with solar panels.

The school has room for 100 students and even has a playground and a planting space.

According to architect Kunle Adeyemi of NLE, using floating structures means not having to depend on the ground because the ground around Makoko is very weak.

Mr. Kunle said, because the water level here changes frequently, they want a design that fits this condition.

Mr. Kunle hopes his design will pioneer in sustainable development in Lagos and he aspires to replace the entire Makoko slum with a floating city.

According to the project progress report, floating schools will be completed by the end of March. Floating houses will be completed by the end of September and by 2014, the Lagos Floating Community Project will be completed.