Chilomoni, Blantyre
“I love the building; it is definitely unique. As a student, it is a motivation to get me up and out in the morning.”
(Keith Banda, Former JP2 Student)
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Year of Construction
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Geotechnical Engineer
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Total Building Area (Approx. GEA)
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Cost per m²
(£119 GBP/m²)
“Digital technology is absolutely essential to Malawi’s socio-economic development. Across the world, communications, commerce and services are moving online. Malawi cannot afford to be left behind.”
(Laura Kullenberg, World Bank Country Manager for Malawi, 2017)
Established in 2011, the St. John Paul II Leadership and IT Institute was created as a way to provide desperately-needed IT training facilities to the township of Chilomoni, Malawi and, further-afield, to the nearby city of Blantyre. The Institute aims to offer state-of-the-art training and services, in order to create work-ready and employable young graduates.
Large-scale, high-quality construction was vital for creating an aspirational learning environment for otherwise relatively deprived young people. The building comprises 9 Classrooms, 1 Workshop and 2 large Training Rooms, situated on the South-side of a wide, central axis. Additional support and ancillary spaces are situated on the opposite side of the axis, creating quiet offices for private meetings and individual staff work. The axis ends with a generous ground-floor Library, accessible to all students. A feature concrete spiral escape staircase adds interest and dynamism to the Library.
The building utilises Beehive’s site-made ‘Hydraform’ interlocking block system as external envelope infill (which are formed using local soil) and are supported by an expressed reinforced concrete structural frame. Much of the interior of the building adopts fair-faced Hydraform block wall finishes, as an economical and low-maintenance solution. All floors are polished terrazzo, using stones from the district of Balaka, just 80 miles from Chilomoni.
Social Impact

Spiritual Wellbeing

Job Creation

Quality Education

Supporting the Vulnerable
“Learning at JPII has opened me up to the IT world. I learnt more than I expected and I am now a CAD Technician in the construction department, as well as an Architectural Assistant. Back at home they rely on me to help out with computer problems as well.”
(Keith Banda, Former JP2 Student)
Transformation Story - Eliza Namacha
UN Sustainable Development Goals Met





