Terracotta-Colored High School in Senegal Only Needs A/C 2 Months a Year

Despite soaring summertime temperatures in Senegal, the gorgeous terracotta-colored Jean Mermoz High School only relies on mechanical air-conditioning two months out of the year. <a href="http://www.terreneuve.fr/en_US/projets/tous-les-projets/lycee-mermoz-dakar">Terreneuve Architects</a> leaned on the expertise of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bali-ecological-center-creates-a-modular-terracott-green-wall-with-local-craftsmen/wall-on-wall/">local craftsmen</a> to realize this striking contemporary design, which has a remarkably small energy load thanks to a series of passive design strategies .

Rainwater is harvested and treated on campus

The school was constructed using mostly locally-sourced materials

Local craftsmen were consulted in the design process

Parallel sections mitigate solar gain

Daylighting floods the well-equipped interior

There are plenty of green and shaded spaces throughout the campus

The building is only mechanically-cooled two months out of the year

This must be one of the prettiest schools in all of Africa