Lilongwe Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT)

The Lilongwe Centre of Architectural Transformation (CAT) is an ambitious initiative that aims to establish its first pilot research and development facility. From the beginning, there was a desire to create a building with a strong architectural identity that would become the image of its program.

What inspired the initial concept of the design?

The initial concept of the building is based on the main ideas of openness, flexibility, and sustainability. The goal was to create a sustainable centre that demonstrates new technologies as well as an attractive educational environment. The building was designed around the idea of stimulating interactions between users and to encourage active participation. To do so, the building organized 4 different entities wrapped around a flexible central space that acts as the heart of program where people can meet, exchange, teach and learn.

Farmhouse // Precht

The modular building system investigates the connection of people with their food and creates a building that connects architecture with agriculture. The beginning of farming gave birth to the first permanent settlements and both grew, hand in hand, with the demand for more food and more liveable areas.

With the industrial revolution this changed, advances in transportation and preservation made it possible to deliver goods faster and store them longer. The process of growing food moved out of the sights and minds. Since then, agriculture and architecture battle for territory and resources. Therefore this is an opportunity to reconnect architecture and agriculture and change them to the progress of both