From the beginning of my project, I was more or less aware or certain that I would derive the majority of my precedents from developing regions, such as Africa or Asia. The reason for this being was that these regions have significantly larger rural areas. As such, projects in these regions are more likely to be heavily community-oriented/locally based; thus more likely to:
- Consider the local social/environmental sustainability responsibility and cost
- Consider or use local physical, human and geographical resources (material, labour etc.)
- Consider Landscape
These projects emphasise a heavy focus on function, landscape and the local social environment, climate, economy and culture.
Main Precedent
Primary School in Gando / Kéré Architecture (Burkina Faso)
One such project that satisfied and epitomised this, was the Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso. In an interview the architect, Francis Kéré, wanted to emphasise the importance in considering “the experience of trying to learn in this environment”.
As a result, the project followed a local and community based approach, considering cost, climate, resource availability, construction and feasibility; modifying traditional construction techniques and employing local human and physical.
Ultimately, the final project not only provided an environment that made the experience of trying to learn easier, but “a landmark of community pride and collectivity”, greatly responsible in both its environmental and social sustainability.
Design Precedents
Primary School Tanouan Ibi / LEVS architecten (Mali)
This Primary School in Mali is one of may of my precedents
Here I was interested in the exterior corridors, and how they double-up as a semi-public space. This also provides a brief communal area where the users can interact, as well as an easy way of increasing circulation.
Qinmo Village / Rural Urban Framework (China)
Qinmo Village is a remote rural village located in the North-West of Guangdong Province.
I was initially inspired by this buildings form, as it slightly resembles the edge of my site. I was also interested by how this project was able to effectively use a combination of form-active and non-form active design to provide regular shaped spaces
within an irregularly shaped volume.
This was ultimately not something I believed I wanted to adopt in my own project, but here I was encouraged to use such a shape parrele to this edge in my site.
Materials
Beneath the green roof, my building is comprised of timber flooring on the interior, concrete roof, glass and steel exterior facades, timber walls and concrete structural pillars. The wood pays respects to nature, whilst the concrete emphasises security; off-white tones in the ceiling are not too oppressive.
A white colour would emphasise the space, making it seem larger. A dark or black colour is more oppressive, making the space seem smaller or the ceilings lower. Thus concrete, grey, offers a balance between the two. It provides a neutral atmosphere to the building, continuing the buildings unobtrusive spirit. With the long glass window facades, this allows the the children to focus elsewhere, unto nature or their learning
Comentários