Iglo Architects to Provide Consultancy for "Dakar Train Station" Project

The roof, facade and material consultancy for the "Dakar Train Station" project in Senegal is being carried out by Iglo Architects. Dakar Train Station will be the first step in train station projects planned by the government at the national scale in Senegal. The train station, brought to life through joint work by France, Senegal and Turkey, will be opened this month. Across the country, train station projects will be carried out at 21 different locations. Dakar Train Station is a structure with 6,000 m² of enclosed space and covering a total area of 85,000 m² including surrounding platforms. Iglo Architects gave particular consideration to environmental impacts in roof, facade and material consultancy. Iglo Architects Founding Partner, Architect Zafer Karoğlu, noted that due to Dakar's hot and windy climate conditions causing sandstorms, selected materials for the roof and facade that are unaffected by climate characteristics, self-cleaning and demonstrate sustainable material properties, to counter the possibility of negative impacts on building facades where white color is predominantly used. Architect Zafer Karoğlu, preferring "u-stucco and composite polymer" materials in the detail solutions of the structure's roof and facades—materials that are compatible with each other and do not create thermal bridging when used together; innovative, environmentally friendly and delivering quick results—states that u-stucco is an environmentally sensitive and ecological material that can be used as plaster, screed or construction block; and that they use the material for its high fire protection and hygienic properties, as well as its provision of sound and thermal insulation. According to Karoğlu, u-stucco, in addition to its advantageous properties, also enables the project to progress quickly. In the project, composite polymer was chosen due to its high degree of durability and sustainability—a material also used as body material in the production of space shuttles at NASA. Iglo Architects took a leading role in solving the roof detail with this material. By participating in this project, Iglo Architects aims to gain valuable contacts in the architecture and construction sector in Senegal and expand its work, adding new projects to its internationally executed work with innovative projects.