Located in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, the School for Afghan Girls, also known as Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School, is an important urban centre educating several thousand girls every day. The school is integrated into the national education system, expanding Afghanistan’s push toward the development of women and girls and their contribution and inclusion within Afghan society. The School for Afghan Girls supports this process by promoting stability, comfort, and community engagement and has become a model for other girls’ schools in the country.
Promoting a sense of ownership was important for such a prominent neighbourhood institution. The students, staff and community were involved throughout the design and construction phases. Visioning sessions with the students provided them with the opportunity to learn about their new school and to participate in the design process. Art was an important medium for engagement and was integrated into the design. Community involvement activity of the school design process included a national ‘women-only’ mural design competition. Six winning entries representing the spirit and hope of women in Afghanistan are displayed on walls throughout the school, with all program participants assisting professional artists in the installation of the artwork.
Schools in Afghanistan are often connected to a limited or unstable power supply, and these institutions operate on almost no budget, often leaving insufficient funds for heating fuel. Built-in environmental strategies foster autonomy and self-sufficiency, and allow the school to perform under difficult circumstances using few resources. Capitalising on low-tech climate responses results in a dependable institution that provides students and staff shelter and comfort for the long-term.
At the School for Afghan Girls, promoting a sense of ownership was important for such a prominent neighbourhood institution. The students, staff, and community were involved throughout the design and construction phases. Visioning sessions with the students provided them with the opportunity to learn about their new school and to participate in the design process. Art was an important medium for engagement and was integrated into the design. Community involvement in the school design process included a national women-only mural design competition. Six winning entries representing the spirit and hope of women in Afghanistan are displayed on walls throughout the school, with all program participants assisting professional artists in the installation of the artwork.
Gallery:
Project Details:
Name: School for Afghan Girls / Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School
Location: Mazar-I-Sharif, Afghanistan
Status: Completed (2015)
Area: 2,000 sq.m
Typology: Educational Architecture
Designed by: Miller Hull
Project Architect: Elizabeth Golden, Assistant Professor, UW
Project Team: Yasaman Esmaili (UW), Christopher Garland (UW), David Miller, FAIA
Structural And Civil Engineer: Solaiman Salahi
Client: Sahar Education
Photographs: Nic Lehoux
