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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development

Status: Current
Location: Monrovia, Liberia

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) is a direct response to the history, climate, cultural and architectural heritage of Liberia. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first African woman president, is a pioneering figure whose leadership continues to inspire generations around the world. For Mariam Issoufou, this was an important component of the conceptual vision of the project. 

The objective with the EJS Center’s design was to capture Sirleaf’s sense of humility and service to a people through a design grounded in cultural authenticity. The design took inspiration from Liberia’s architectural heritage, paying close attention to the traditional palava huts whose tall, exaggerated pitch roofs were a response to the local climate as a mechanism for managing Liberia’s heavy rainfalls. Grouped together, as they were in rural settings, the collection of huts were visually striking and embodied a sense of community. The huts served as an important reference in the design of the EJS Center complex, but rather than in a rural setting, they are reimagined for a civic purpose. The resulting buildings have similar exaggerated slanted roofs, which also help with natural ventilation, allowing the heat and moisture to escape through the roof. The project’s collection of buildings is aerated by courtyards that serve as additional spaces for gathering and workshop programs. 

The project will use local materials such as raw earth bricks, fired clay bricks, rubber wood and woven palm leaves. This strategy helps in incorporating local builders, manufacturers and craftswomen into the project to help promote economic sustainability. Rather than importing materials and skills, the construction of the EJS Center will be a process of building a contemporary, state of the art complex in direct partnership with the people of Monrovia. The result will be a center that serves as a beacon and instills a sense of self-pride and optimism in its visitors, particularly Liberians.