Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
1735 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A SOCIAL HUB

Our approach to the brief has the community as a driving force and creating a centre which will become a social hub within Muhuru Kwa Njenga around which all other social functions will revolve. The focus towards internet and technology will symbolise hope and a movement into a more prosperous future for local residents. Our vision provides key resources for local people: social and recreational spaces, tools for learning, water supply, improved toilet facilities and a sanctuary from the busy surrounding settlement.

THE SITE

The footprint of the new buildings responds to the existing urban grain of the area in scale, orientation and form. Only the radio station will poke above the local one storey structures and act as a civic beacon, raising the profile of the building. It will sit harmoniously and well routed as if the building existed since the growth of the settlement. Lessons have been learnt form the existing site plan: smelly sanitary facilities away from other buildings, the clinic in a corner allowing privacy and the more public spaces close to the main access. We retain the clinic in its adequate state and good location but extend and improve it, rebuild the toilet block to allow improved facilities and demolish all other buildings on the site and re-house them within the two wings of the new community centre.

The new centre is formed around a series of public, semi-public and private spaces all carrying out different social functions. The entrance at the street end of the site creates a dynamic threshold: the vibrant, noisy radio station generating atmosphere, a small bakery, canvases of walls for local art and a very public space for gatherings or perhaps a small market.

Visitors are then drawn through a bottleneck between the two buildings into the second of the series of external spaces. The heart of the building is provided by the sheltered entrance supported by the structure of timber left in its natural and organic form. The courtyard beyond this will form an informal amphitheatre space, flanked by the covered external circulation spaces to create the semi-public community space. These break-out spaces allow ultimate flexibility for the users of the buildings. More private spaces are accommodated within one of the two wings and the sports pitch ensures adequate distance between the main buildings and the toilet block and clinic.
Security has been given high importance throughout the design process as valuable equipment is housed within. The bottleneck ensures that passive surveillance is always present and each wing has just one main entrance meaning that just two people can manage the security. The compound will have a lockable façade making it secure at night and resistant materials will be used to prevent vandalism.

NEW BUILDINGS

The North Wing
Functions within both wings have been organised according to acoustics, security and user groups. The north wing encompasses the more noisy and public activities: the bread shop is in close proximity to the access road, while the reception allows constant observation of the internet café, payphones and route into the radio tower as well as a barrier to secure storage. The day care centre has its own access and a mall play terrace at the more private end of the site.

The South Wing
The south wing is the educational zone of the centre, housing the library and IT teaching space which is flexible enough to transform into a conference room if required. This wing has just one entrance allowing one member of staff to sit and observe anyone entering or leaving the spaces. The courtyard provides an acoustic buffer between the wings.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

Materials have been chosen according to aesthetics, costs, longevity, local knowledge and running costs. Each one is flexible and none depend on any other for its function. Therefore with a closer evaluation of the site and local resources or natural hazards, such as earth tremors, any could be substituted for a more suitable material. Construction techniques will used as a precedent for future developments and teaching device for local people. Constructed by compacting moist, loose subsoil between shuttering or form work in layers of 100mm depth. This requires very low energy input and creates virtually no pollution as material is locally sourced and free of industrial processes. The resulting wall has a high thermal mass which allows internal temperature to be moderated. The hydroscopic nature of earth regulates humidity, improving air quality. The construction material is easily reusable in the future if an alternative use is required. As labour and materials are sourced locally the bulk of the capital spent remains within the local economy.

Ferrocement Roof
This is a robust, simple, attractive method for fabricating a sturdy roof. The arches or channels can be formed on or off site from an easily constructed mould. The repeating channels mean one mould can be used for the entire roof. The channels are light enough to be lifted into place by two people.

Entrance Canopy and Tree Structure
A felled tree trunk, stripped of its bark to prevent rotting, will be embedded within a stone floor and stone foundation. Large branches from the original tree will be retained as the structure for the framed, corrugated metal entrance canopy.

Landscaping
A series of small plants and murals displaying local art will create a calm, relaxed setting within the more private area of the site. Locally sourced stone will be used to provide seating surrounding the sports pitch. This will also provide a safe route to both the clinic and toilet facilities.

PASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

In general the design of the building and its services will strive to balance the requirements of: The needs and desires of the users, minimising environmental impact, capacity for operation and maintenance. Awnings and roof overhang shade the interior spaces from the heat of the sun and reduce glare to computer screens. Large openings in adjacent facades allow cross ventilation and connect those inside with the exterior courtyard. Hot air will rise and leave the building through high level openings on the courtyard facades while cooler air is drawn in at low level.

The high mass of the walls is cooled when temperatures drop at night. The walls then provide cooling to occupants during day, this ensures occupants are comfortable even when the sun is at its most fierce. Cool night air is also passed through a below ground rock store which stores this cool in a similar way to the heavy walls. During the daytime air enters the building via these rocks and is cooled in the process.
The building form gives good natural daylight so artificial lighting will not need to be used during the day. Most rooms are lit from both sides to provide a uniform distribution of light without glare.

SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Power and IT

60% of the site’s electricity demand will be generated renewably using a photovoltaic array and a wind turbine. The renewable supply will be supplemented by electricity from the mains and supported with battery storage. Power supply will be designed in a modular and flexible way to allow parts of the building that are not in use to be shut down. The community centre provides a library with computer lab for students (capacity: 20 students/ 10 workstations), a computer training centre and conference room (capacity: 45 persons/10 workstations) and an internet cafe with printing and photocopying services (capacity: 40 persons/15 workstations).
The IT work stations will be supported by shared internet supply, router, firewall, switch, and WAP. Work stations will access the internet and server via a wireless network.
Wireless broadband internet access will be provided to the community, with a range of 600 meters.

New toilet block
Improved sanitation will be provided with a multi stage septic tank. This will reduce harmful bacteria in the out flowing water by 80%, compare to pit latrines. Nutrients from the septic tank will be used to fertilise flower beds surrounding the buildings.

Water from the ground and rain
Rainwater will be collected from the roofs and stored to provide irrigation and washing water. A new tube well will provide water for drinking and hygiene etc.

Drainage and waste management
The roofs are pitched away from the courtyard, minimising the risk of flooding during heavy rain. Landscaping will ensure rainwater drains away from the site, preventing the build-up of stagnant water. The existing incinerator will be upgraded and its use continued, but building users will be encouraged to reuse and recycle resources. Education regarding waste management will be provided for staff who will go on to share their knowledge with the community.

INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY

Construction labour will be sourced from within the community as far as possible. The simple construction techniques required will allow all community members to play a part. The exterior of the buildings will be colourfully decorated by locals and regularly redecorated to encourage involvement and rejuvenation. In addition to the bread shop near the entrance, small businesses will be encouraged in the area surrounding the community centre.
The informal amphitheatre will provide a flexible space for classes, plays, performances and community gatherings.

APPROXIMATE COST SUMMARY

Total Floor Area (including verandas) 405 m2

Main Buildings
SITE PREPARATION 2957
FOUNDATIONS 8463
WALLS 13985
WINDOWS + DOORS 5555
ROOF 20025
STAIRS AND BALCONIES 5000

Sub Total 74052 USD
183 USD/m2

Other Aspects

WC ROOMS + SEWAGE 4571
WATER SUPPLY + DISTRIB. 9000
ELECTRICAL SUPPLY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY 10500
LIGHTING AND POWER DISTR 5000
LANDSCAPE + SPORTS 9000

Sub Total 38071 USD

Whole Project
Main Buildings + Other Aspects 112123 USD
Add 10% Contingency 123335 USD
Add VAT at 16% 143069 USD

Total 143069 USD