Greening Havana Primary School: Towards a more Humane Learning Environment, is an ongoing development project in the Moses Garoeb constituency Windhoek. The school is currently housed in tents in an informal settlement with security concerns. Sprawl of the informal settlement has additionally breeched onto the site, which is now presenting a challenge even before construction has commenced. The purpose of the project is not only to design the new development but also to ensure that the proposal; a) Uplifts the community b) Lights up the site to increase security and safety c) Incorporates provision for a feeding program Socio Economic factors that informed the design; A. Havana Primary School developed a two-time slot system (morning and afternoon classes) to accommodate all its learners. This means that the facility would be used all day, so a design with a stimulating and humane internal environment throughout the day is necessary. Initially the team proposed the use of sandbag construction for its advantages namely: • Making use of available soil on site. • Create job opportunities for community in the construction also giving them a sense of ownership, resulting in a better upkeep of the new development. • To reduced building cost. • To increase thermal confort. A decision was however taken by the client to employ conventional construction methods. B. Because the site is exceptionally steep with gradients of 1:2 in places, access to all levels played a role in the conceptual approach for the design of facility as follows: • Adapted double storied layouts to reduce the building footprint and thus the need for major excavation works • Incorporated ramps and use of the site's natural gradient for ramping. • Proposed the use of existing rock outcrops to form rock beds which have thermal cooling capabilities. • Positioned the structures close to the access roads, thus minimizing the need for extended driveways and walkways and in so doing, minimized site works required. Other concepts were also adapted namely: • Orientation: North South building orientation with glazed openings minimized or omitted altogether on the east and west building faces. Southern which is imperative for Namibia’s intense summers and advantageous for the winters. Sun control has also been adapted in the form of sunscreens. • Ventilation: Cross ventilation has been incorporated to enhance the circulation of air, in and out of most rooms. • Energy efficiency & sustainability: The use of solar powered lighting, solar powered water heating and provision for future installation of solar back-up power systems. The design introduces grey water recycling system and rainwater harvesting, which will form primary source of toilet cistern and irrigation supplies. • Soft landscaping: Retaining as much of the existing, vegetation especially indigenous trees, to reduce the negative impact to the environment as far as is possible and new plants adapted to the central Namibia climate are to be incorporated into the design. • Materials: Choice of materials and the expression of the building forms was regarded as relevant for the context of the site, and one that would not dissolve the character of the institution yet would be practical for maintenance and cleaning purposes. • Artificial paving to be reduced to minimum and in a way that does not disturb the natural drainage of storm water.