The competition, organized by the Gabonese Agence Nationale des Grands Travaux (National Agency of Major Works), invited entries from leading architectural firms in the US, UK, Brazil and Japan. An international jury awarded WORKac’s proposal L'Assemblée Radieuse first place. WORKac’s winning design incorporates Gabon’s vibrant ecology to create a striking expression of President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s vision of a Gabon Vert (Green Gabon). L'Assemblée Radieuse will serve as an architectural landmark situated amidst the stunning hillsides of the capital city, reflecting Gabon’s emerging leadership in the region’s political and environmental affairs, while celebrating the country’s resources and its potential to lead Africa into a new era. 

WORKac’s building organizes a vast program of conference, assembly and dining facilities around three carved courtyards – each representing one of Gabon’s rich and diverse ecosystems. The circular form is topped with a dramatically sloped roof, which emerges from the lush, green hills of the surrounding diplomatic quarter: the newly reconceived Cité De La Démocratie. This angled roof becomes one of the building’s most prominent façades, allowing views up from the city below to the courtyard-gardens and to the rooftop reflecting pool – taking the elliptical form of the auditorium below.

The building will harness the best in active and passive sustainable design. The new building is conceived around the preservation and reuse of structural elements from an earlier conference center on the site, conserving resources. Louvers made of African Limestone shade the entire building and wrap the structure, arcing to create a contoured vertical landscape for the courtyards. These courtyards allow for natural ventilation, cooling, and smoke exhaust. The sloped rooftop collects rainwater to become a waterfall before being recycled throughout the building; its light color reflects heat.

The 1000-seat auditorium is designed to divide easily into two separate spaces, with each potential configuration retaining optimal sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics. Additional key spaces arranged around the central auditorium include a triple-height banquet hall as well as a number of smaller auditoria and meeting rooms.

Circulation within L'Assemblée Radieuse is organized by the garden courtyards which are linked by a semi-enclosed, shaded “philosopher’s path.” This continuous promenade provides flexible and informal meeting spaces for walking, thinking and discussing the urgent matters of the day, connecting the three gardens and providing striking views over the Cité De La Démocratie, the capital Libreville, as well as of the landscape and sea beyond.

Thierry Boussillon, Agence Nationale des Grands Travaux Director of Special Projects, commented: “The quality of submissions for the contest was world-class.  We are very impressed with WORKac’s innovative design. It will play a key role in transforming the Conference Center of the Cité De La Democratie, and Libreville, into the leading regional center for events, as envisioned by President Ali Bongo Ondimba.” WORKac principals Amale Andraos and Dan Wood said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work in Gabon as it emerges on the world stage. It is an honour to have been selected for such an important project.”

WORKac will collaborate with Epstein on the design and production of the fast-track project. Arup will provide Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering, Acoustical Engineering, Sustainable Design and Theatre Consulting. Structural Engineering will be directed by Robert Silman Associates. Façade consulting will be provided by FRONT, Lighting by Tillotson Design Associates and Fountain Design by CMS.

All images courtesy Work Architecture Company