The winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022, architect David Garcia, will grace the stage at SHARE Skopje 2023 with a captivating lecture on ‘Sustainable Projects and the Relationship between Architecture and Development’. Delving into earth-based architecture and the nuances of social architecture in Africa, this presentation promises profound insights into how architecture can be a catalyst for sustainable and equitable development.

The SHARE Skopje 2023 Forum will take place on 10th of October at the Macedonian Philharmonic and is organized by SHARE Architects, the largest network dedicated to architecture and construction professionals in Central and South Eastern Europe, in partnership with Association of Architects of Macedonia and The Chamber of Certified Architects and Certified Engineers North Macedonia.

The International Architecture and Technology Innovation Forum is bringing together professionals and enthusiasts from around Europe to explore the captivating theme of “Good Living Architecture: Enhancing Living and Working Space”.

SHARE Skopje 2023 will provide attendees with access to knowledge and new opportunities for collaboration. National and international renowned speakers, innovators in architecture and building technologies will provide the audience with insightful technical details of good living architecture, as well as inspirational visions over improving the living and working space.

MEET THE GUEST | David Garcia, Chief architect & founder DawOffice, Spain

Dawoffices is an architecture studio founded by David García at the beginning of 2010. The studio’s methodology always takes the environment into consideration, and its aim is to provide urban and architectural solutions that are integrated into the context. The studio has worked on all types of projects, from housing to masterplans and public facilities. Since its beginnings, the studio has had projects both nationally and internationally, with special emphasis on projects in Africa, a market with very particular needs and challenges.

WORK | Projects of David Garcia

CEM Kamanar School – Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022

The CEM Kamanar project got its start in Barcelona in 2014 when David Garca and Aina Tugores, architects from the dawoffice studio, met with the leaders of Thionck Essyl and decided to construct a new secondary school. The primary goal was to alleviate the overpopulation in Thionck Essyl’s lone secondary school at the time.

The Foundawtion, a non-profit organization founded in response to volunteer projects relating to architecture and education, oversaw this project, which was developed by the dawoffice architecture firm.

CEM KAMANAR © DawOffice

In terms of functionality and symbolism, Cem Kanamar is situated on a 2-hectare publicly-owned plot of land close to the river Casamance, which runs through the south of Thionck Essyl, and with the majestic presence of large baobabs and huge mango trees within the immediate area and inside the plot itself, the school is designed as an ordered set of modules (‘awlas’ in the language of the project) and meeting and play areas.

The module design takes on a heteronomous condition, fusing with its environment. The inverted catenary vault reflects a concept that is very close to the shape lines and the traditional background of the area, and it blends with daily life by making use of the sensuality, fluidity, and enveloping feelings provided by curves.

CEM KANAMAR © DawOffice

BAJANKUSOOR

In the city of Thionk Essyl, located in Senegal, an upcoming vocational training center is set to address the educational requirements of the local community by offering trade-oriented programs.

Similar to the earlier construction experience with CEM, the establishment of this center will also serve as a valuable training opportunity for community members engaged in its construction. Clay stands as the predominant building material in the region, historically employed by locals. However, its compressive nature posed a unique challenge for constructing a covered space.

Bajankusoor © DawOffice

This challenge was ingeniously overcome by adopting the design of hemispherical domes, drawing inspiration from the indigenous architectural styles of the area. This distinctive geometric approach eliminates the need for additional support structures during construction, consequently reducing the cost associated with wood.

The training institution will encompass a wide spectrum of disciplines, ranging from carpentry to electromechanics, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. Each of these specialized areas will be housed within individual dome-shaped workshops. Additionally, supplementary domes will accommodate facilities such as classrooms for theoretical instruction, computer labs, restroom facilities, administrative offices, and more.

Bajankuusor © DawOffice

These workshops will each occupy a clay dome, with some of them intertwining to create various spatial configurations tailored to specific requirements. A raised platform, minimally impacting the natural terrain, will harmoniously unite all these structures while maintaining a respectful distance from the existing trees on the site.

SHARE Skopje 2023 has as guests internationally recognized personalities in the field of architecture:

• Renato Rizzi, Founder Renato Rizzi, Italy
• Patrick Meijers, Co-Founder Orange Architects, The Netherlands
• David Garcia, Founder DawOffice, Spain
• Markella Menikou, Founder Markella Menikou Chartered Architect, Cyprus
• Arber Shala, Founder at Arber SHALA Architects, Kosovo
• Misko Ralev, Architects Professor, Dean of the University of Architecture and Design at UACS, President of the Association of Architecture in Macedonia
• Kristinka Radevski, President of the Chamber of Certified Architects and Certified Engineers of the Republic of Macedonia

The event is organized by SHARE Architects, one of the most active event networks in the region, in partnership with the Association of Architects of Macedonia and The Chamber of Certified Architects and Certified Engineers North Macedonia.

SHARE Architects in North Macedonia

The SHARE Forum in North Macedonia has established itself as the premier event dedicated to architecture and innovative technologies in the country. Its international reach has attracted participants from all corners of North Macedonia, as well as esteemed guests from leading architectural firms across Europe and beyond. The forum serves as a platform for showcasing the latest national and international award-winning architecture and large-scale development projects, along with cutting-edge building technologies.

SHARE Architects Network – Connecting architects and contractors in Central and South Eastern Europe

Over the past 25 years, SHARE Architects forums have become a key networking platform for architects and constructors in Central and South Eastern Europe. SHARE provides a useful framework for knowledge and understanding of the diversity of modern architectural phenomena. Currently, SHARE Architects events are held in 16 countries and have developed a community of over 50,000 professionals around them.