Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
I had the privilege of visiting an orphanage/school in this community in 2006, and it has left a lasting impression on me. It has an urban vitality that rivals “the best” communities found anywhere in the world.

This design proposes to use the surrounding urban persona to transpose and reuse the site and its resources both literally and figuratively. The site will be reconfigured as a sustainable community center for social interactions, marketing, information, and training. Beyond these services, this site will help sustain itself by marketing its fresh vegetables, that are grown more quickly and efficiently, in the former community center turned greenhouse. The growing cycle will use roof collected rainwater and soil fertilized with composted plant materials.

The buildings are designed as independent structures, which helps facilitate construction phasing. The design examines the reuse and transposing of the existing site materials. All construction is designed to facilitate the most basic construction knowledge.

The existing community building will be transformed into a greenhouse. It will be shortened and will give up its metal skin to new buildings.

Construction of the radio and computer buildings would begin with the removal of a sufficient quantity of earth, which will be replaced with the existing book depository storage container. The removed earth would then be used as a major component in the rammed earth walls that will make up the radio station and computer center. These walls will deliver a thermal mass, and will provide the security that is necessary to house valuable equipment.

The building closest to the street will be removed. Any materials culled as a result of the demolition can be used in the construction of a raised platform that will extend most of the site from east to west. The platform deck is designed to use a variety of lengths of wood, in the event that longer lengths are not available. Templates can be used to create duplicate trusses that serve as both wall and roof structure. Trusses will be built on the flat open decking then raised braced, and enclosed with reused metal siding.

The entry engages the street as a continuation of the existing pattern of buildings as a relatively tight corridor pushed tightly to the north side of the site. This dense corridor on a raised platform opens to a space that will be used for public meetings and performances.

This design attempts to maintain the energy that is inherent to this community. The intention is to emulate some of the existing density and simplicity of construction that makes up the majority of this area.