PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Concept// Connection
Guiding Principle// The project harnesses potential through reinforcing and introducing strategic connections. The Kallari community is rich in cultural heritage and natural resources. We see as the driving force behind this project to be connecting those resources to the global community rich in information and capital.
Site Strategy// The flow of people, goods, and information generate the three vectors of the building form. The vectors extend to the site with view corridors and landscape gestures. The building is positioned at the South end of the property close to the road for easy access and good site drainage. We propose to set aside the majority of the land for habitat restoration, bamboo harvesting and future growth. The flat area is utilized as a natural bioswale and planting rather than building due to marshy conditions that pose risks to building longevity and inhabitants’ health.
The building’s three elements are legible from a distance due to their distinct forms and differing materials (concrete box, bamboo spine, and metal panel tower). This hints to the three uses housed inside (factory, visitor center, and technology access center).
A strong axis strikes out on a tangent from a bend in the road. The progression is linear to emphasize the great distance that visitors have traveled and to heighten anticipation of reaching the Kallari Chocolate Factory.
Narrative// From the entrance the bamboo spine widens, washing the interior with natural light. The view extends through the center of the building, passed the gallery, research library, meeting hall, and café, to a glimpse of the river beyond.
At this point the visitors have a choice to step off axis to an overlook for a bird’s eye view of the factory or to descend on axis for a more intimate tour of it inner workings. Along the decent to the factory, openings in the bamboo skin offer opportunities to explore the open air craft market.
Outside the factory door Kallari members are busy delivering, sorting and cleaning the raw cacao. Here visitor learn about the cacao plant and harvesting of the beans. Upon entering the factory, the visitors are given a linear tour through the chocolate production. Two parallel production lines allow the factory to produce two receipts of chocolate at one time, maximizing efficiency. Natural light permeates the space through the large picture window and from the visitor center above.
Continuing out of the factory, visitors are treated to chocolate tasting with a view of the river and beautifully restored forest. A balcony wraps around outside to offer unobstructed. Above the tasting room is the café and shop also accentuated by views connecting to the entire 13 acre site.
The vertical axis is the Technology Access Center. This element is essential for education and connectivity. The community functions are focused in and around a metal paneled tower that penetrates the visitor center. This offers a visual definition of the space, while allowing activities to overlap and connect with visitor activities. A bustling research library is shared with visitors as an internet café. The height provided for computer training classroom on the second floor and offices on the third. The tower’s angled form also hints to the form of the remote internet kiosks. With the communications tower atop the Technology Access Center, it is literally the point of connection to the world wide web.
Kiosk// The kiosk is a compact structure with three flexible work stations. Its bamboo doors can open for classroom use, close for individual use, and lock while not in use.
Phasing// If construction funds are limited, then build the facility as follows:
Phase I - The essential part of the program and the spring board for all future expansion is the Chocolate Factory. This would include the residences and meeting hall.
Phase II - Visitor center axis.
Phase III – The Technology Access Center, three story tower.
Unprogrammed Phase – This is a relatively remote site without accommodations for visitors. With the additional amenities of an eco-lodge, the community could draw more tourists, increase profits, and provide more service jobs for the local economy. The large site provides desirable natural setting for this use.
Sustainability// The Kallari Association expressed interest in attaining LEED gold certification. This is challenging due to the LEED rating system is tailored for use in developed country. While we kept LEED in mind during design development, we put stronger focus on providing a building and site design that respond to the climate, improve and sustain the quality of life of all its inhabitants and users, as well as intimately connected to the ecosystem. We identified 42 LEED credits. 39 are needed for gold certification. Some of the highlights are: rapidly renewable materials (bamboo), daylight & views for 90% of spaces, restoration of habitat, greater than 12.5% renewable energy (solar & hydro), and LEED accredited professional on the design team.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
