“There are very good dance schools and artistic training centres in West Africa: many talents have the time and the opportunity to build a solid foundation of knowledge and techniques. But few places offer a real creative space where artists of all disciplines can meet, exchange, confront their limits or be supported to exceed them.” Aware of these difficulties and paradoxes that he himself experienced, Serge Aimé Coulibaly created in Bobo Dioulasso, in 2014, Ankata, International Laboratory for Research, Creation and Production of the Performing Arts.

The cosy ankata studio works well, but the expansion has been on the agenda for a while. The corner site “p09” in sector 24 in Bobo Dioulasso will offer one large stage, one dance lab studio, a cantine, a co-working space, one multifonction space and seating terrasse, everything in international standards respecting local context, under the name “The Grand Studio Ankata”.

Sustainable building design through passive measures 

The project is designed to maximise natural potentials of passive shading and stimulation of air circulation. The stage is enclosed between higher masses of the coworking space and the bloc of backstage – protected from the harsh sun whole day. The grown trees, partitions shaped of climbing plants and fabric shaders will protect the facades and terraces from the direct sunshine, reducing the thermal intake.

The green patio is designed as a misting cooling spot that support the cross ventilation and uses the evaporation as a vector of air circulation. The cooling effect is enhanced by underfloor wind flowing within the accommodation area.

Within its elaborated space layout, the project addresses undeniable problem of Burkinabe cities – the urban sprawl. The vertical organisation of spaces generates more floor area to create diverse spaces with different ambiances adapted for all needs and visions of Ankata: theatre making, sport training, formal and informal meetings, coworking, consultation, entertainment, inspiration. This dynamic layout intends to awaken participation and curiosity…

It is a safe-place free to access and open to everybody, a shared place of work, a pole of collaboration, a driving mechanism of networking and interactions to empower the community and to encourage creativity within the neighbourhood.

Aesthetic Qualities and Cultural Integration 

The choice of main material creates the project´s identity and it shapes the bridge towards the local aesthetics despite of the innovative space organisation and dense layout.

The decorative feature of facades are portholes, custom-made with local female pottery makers. The contact with the exterior is vital for the project, the portholes are symbolic and ornamental at the same moment – it activates the façade-scape without overwhelming the building openings. It solves the dichotomy of situations when it is necessary to preserve the intimacy of creative process on the main stage and when it is demanded to call out for the large audience for public events.

progress

2014_10______first contact with Ankata members
2019_08______first meeting about “p09”
2019_10______architectural concept 
2020_02______beginning of construction works, stage 1
2020_07______architectural concept upgrade
2020_10______opening ceremony of the 1st phase
2021_03______design update of the 2nd phase
2021_06______beginning of construction works, concept – etape2
2023_04______design update of the 3rd phase
2025_08______design update projet2025 _ focus etape 3

in pictures

in photos

© 2019