The new market building in Bamako, capital of Mali, replacing the one destroyed by fire in 1993, must satisfy the on-going demands of a rapidly burgeoning city in an extreme climate. It intends to be a cool oasis in the muggy, congested inner city.

To avoid having to use air-conditioning units and looking to the traditional mud-brick architecture of West Africa, the building takes the form of a single massive volume with a lightweight sunbreak perched on the roof. The building follows the urban structure - hence its triangular shape - and ranges its spaces about a system of radial internal streets. Various narrow internal courts, ventilation shafts and a market street slice through the building mass, delivering in light and serving as orientation points.

The initial programme has been supplemented with a cultural centre and offices serving the market. Two original entry towers survived the fire and mark as they did before, the Marché's position in the city.

Place of education: TU Eindhoven
Tutors: Hubert Jan Henket, Peter Erkelens, Lex Kerssemakers & Wolf Schijns
Specialization: architecture