As part of the early design process for the project, a series of virtual visioning sessions were conducted with students, university staff, and ACASIA volunteers—local nonprofit partners and key stakeholders in the project. Held over Zoom and facilitated through visual engagement tools such as digital whiteboards (Miro), and interactive polls, these sessions created a dynamic platform for dialogue, creativity, and collective ideation. One of the early challenges during the visioning sessions was navigating language differences among participants, as conversations brought together university staff, students, local nonprofit partners, and international volunteers. To ensure everyone’s voice was heard, ACASIA and Defining Humanity volunteers stepped in as translators, bridging the gap between Malagasy, French, and English. Their support enabled meaningful participation across all groups and ensured that ideas were clearly communicated and understood. Despite the diversity of languages spoken, a shared vision quickly emerged, one centered on access, creativity, community, and opportunity. The sessions demonstrated that regardless of language or geography, the aspiration for a vibrant, inclusive, and empowering space was universal.Over the span of multiple visioning sessions, students and staff of the University  shared insights on their daily experiences, aspirations for the space, and challenges they currently face on campus. These conversations were instrumental in shaping the building’s program, identifying specific user needs, and articulating long-term goals for how the facility could support learning, collaboration, and community engagement. What started as a library evolved into a multi-use facility similar to a student union and a cultural hub not only for the students but the community at large.The sessions also provided valuable input on the desired look and feel of the building, helping the design team understand how architecture could reflect both cultural identity and be a forward looking building.Ultimately, the visioning process fostered a sense of shared ownership and helped ground the design in the voices of those who will use it most.

The design drivers for the Media Library and Cultural Center project are deeply rooted in a holistic understanding of place, people, and purpose. These guiding principles were developed to ensure the building responds sensitively and meaningfully to its context while supporting long-term impact for the university and its surrounding community.

Site Conditions: Emphasizes a thoughtful response to the physical landscape, site topography, and the regional climate. A detailed site survey informed the placement and orientation of the building to maximize natural ventilation, daylight, and thermal comfort, reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term sustainability.

Local Impact: Shapes the design through an integration of vernacular architecture, indigenous materials, native landscapes, and cultural heritage. The project celebrates the identity of Madagascar by rooting the building in its traditions, while also imagining new futures for local craft and sustainable building practices.The design drivers for the Media Library and Cultural Center project are deeply rooted in a holistic understanding of place, people, and purpose. These guiding principles were developed to ensure the building responds sensitively and meaningfully to its context while supporting long-term impact for the university and its surrounding community.

Campus Context: Was critical in shaping scale, connectivity, and identity within the broader university setting. The Media Library is envisioned as both a central hub and a gateway, bridging academic spaces, public gathering areas, and green corridors to strengthen community engagement and institutional identity.

People-Centric: Keeps students, faculty, and the larger community at the heart of the design. Through inclusive engagement sessions and a deep inquiry into user needs, the project team ensured the space supports diverse modes of learning, creativity, and exchange. The result is a space that reflects the aspirations of its users and fosters a sense of belonging, opportunity, and shared ownership.

The design team undertook in-depth research into Madagascar’s local context to ensure the Media Library & Cultural Center is deeply rooted in place. The team explored vernacular architecture, indigenous building materials such as laterite stone, raffia palm, bamboo, and clay brick, and studied local construction practices to ensure that the design would be both buildable and sustainable within the regional context.

In addition, careful attention was given to Madagascar’s climate, characterized by strong sun, seasonal rainfall, and varied wind patterns, informing passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, solar shading, and rainwater collection. The team also drew inspiration from Malagasy culture, arts, and traditions, as well as the island’s rich biodiversity and iconic flora and fauna, to influence the spatial character, colors, and textures of the project.

This research-driven approach ensures the building reflects not only the functional needs of the university but also the cultural and ecological identity of Madagascar.

Foster Student Success: The Media Library is designed to be a student-centered environment that supports academic achievement, innovation, and creative exploration. By offering access to resources, technology, and collaborative spaces, the project empowers students to succeed both within and beyond the classroom. Beyond education, access to counseling and career services creates further opportunities for student success.

Build Sense of Community: At the heart of the design is a commitment to bringing people together. Shared spaces such as the auditorium, amphitheater, the cafe, art gallery, and communal study zones foster connection, dialogue, and a spirit of collaboration among students, faculty, and the surrounding community.

Strong Sense of Pride and Identity: The architecture reflects local culture, traditions, and aspirations, creating a space that students and staff can take pride in. The building becomes a landmark of progress and hope, reinforcing a collective identity rooted in the unique heritage of Madagascar.

Flexible and Versatile Spaces: Recognizing the diverse and evolving needs of users, the design incorporates adaptable rooms and multipurpose areas. These spaces can support a wide variety of programs—from lectures and workshops to performances and exhibitions—ensuring long-term relevance.
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Safe and Secure: Safety is a fundamental aspect of the user experience. The building layout, visibility, and circulation are thoughtfully planned to promote a secure environment where users feel protected and comfortable at all times.

Comforting Physical Experience: The design emphasizes user comfort by integrating natural daylight, passive ventilation, and acoustically sensitive spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere that supports learning, reflection, and extended daily use. In response to Madagascar’s limited power infrastructure and the scarcity of conditioned spaces, the project focuses on sustainable solutions such as on-site power generation and climate-responsive strategies to ensure a comfortable and resilient environment year-round.

Accessible and Inclusive: Rooted in universal design principles, the project prioritizes accessibility for individuals of all abilities. During the visioning sessions, inclusivity emerged as a key driver, particularly in response to the current lack of accessible infrastructure on campus. With students arriving from across Madagascar, each bringing diverse cultural backgrounds and languages, the new media library aims to create a welcoming and equitable environment where every user feels seen, supported, and valued, regardless of their identity or socio-economic status.

Address Future Needs: The building is designed with growth in mind. Its infrastructure, layout, and construction techniques allow for adaptability to future technological advancements, enrollment increases, and academic developments, ensuring that it remains a vital campus asset for years to come.

Site Layout: The Media Library is strategically sited to create a strong civic presence at the heart of the University of Fianarantsoa campus, directly adjacent to the existing library to maintain academic continuity. The building’s orientation and massing respond directly to topography and prevailing wind patterns, maximizing natural ventilation and daylight while minimizing energy use. The site plan integrates a welcoming outdoor plaza and amphitheater that form a key indoor-outdoor threshold for gathering, performance, and cultural exchange. The design enhances pedestrian circulation and creates intuitive connections with surrounding campus infrastructure, making the library a central and accessible destination for all. Native, low maintenance plantings create outdoor spaces interspersed with more formal paths and site objects.

Space Planning: The internal layout is structured across two levels, organized to balance quiet study areas with vibrant social and collaborative spaces. The ground level includes public-facing programs such as the library, cafe, art gallery, multi-purpose rooms, a media lab, and an auditorium that supports both academic and cultural events. The upper level houses the main collections, study zones, creation spaces, and specialized studios, including a broadcast and recording suite, music room, and innovation lab, providing students and faculty with a diverse range of resources. Flexibility is embedded in the planning, allowing rooms to be reconfigured for future needs and interdisciplinary use.

Exterior Design Features: The building’s exterior reflects a harmony between modernity and local architectural identity. Solar panels on the roof provide on-site renewable energy, while deep overhangs, brise-soleil shading devices, and strategically placed openings control light and airflow. Materials such as locally sourced brick, and sustainable wood honor regional craftsmanship while ensuring durability and cost-effectiveness. The use of apertures in brick creates a motif that is derived from the patterns seen in local tapestries. The building exterior becomes a canvas for inspiration from local art and architectural heritage. The overall form expresses openness and transparency, reinforcing the library’s role as an accessible, welcoming hub for knowledge and culture.

Interior Design Features: Interiors are designed to create a warm, comfortable, and inspiring environment. Natural materials and earth-toned finishes reflect Madagascar’s landscapes and cultural palette. High ceilings, filtered daylight, and ventilation-focused layout contribute to a comforting physical experience without the need for mechanical cooling. Spaces are inclusive and universally accessible, with clear signage, intuitive circulation, and diverse seating types to accommodate different learning styles and physical abilities. Through a mix of subtle references such as the shape of the columns or more pronounced references such as colorful art makes this building a blend of local flavors.
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The design concept for the Media Library is a harmonious blend of functionality, sustainability, and cultural relevance. It responds thoughtfully to site conditions and user needs, while celebrating local identity and environment.