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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Formula to an Ecological Functionalism
The genealogy of the form - the elongated rectangular plan was inspired by the continuous rectangular runs of corrugated iron roofs seen on the aerial photograph of the site: a common vision in most slum areas in Africa . This formula works because of its efficiency and flexibility in frequently constrained site parameters. So whatever the site and climate, this elongated rectangular plan could be used as a formula with linear interlinking of internal areas that represent a succession of functions and offer longitudinal passage from end to end, revealing a continuity between the different sections of the building.
There are infinite variations of the elongated plan but a constant is that the interior becomes an unfettered progression and the journey is always punctuated by an intermediate area between outside and inside, the form and location of which may vary from one building to another. At one end of the building a platform or veranda could be attached to the building by a light and removable screen.
The elongated rectangular plan allows natural cross ventilation with linear interlinking of internal areas with a succession of functions providing a linear progression from public to private. These elongated forms could be re-used/re-adjusted to suit another site. For a large scale site such as this one the forms are placed as parallel buildings that open onto each other transversally via interconnecting pavilions.
For this site and brief and given the current security situation in Kenya, my strategic response to the imperatives of the context is the arrangement of the elongated rectangular plan around an internal courtyard. Thus the building has enough nature to achieve a connection between landscape and interior while guarding privacy from neighbours and enclosing the secure zones where computers will be housed. The courtyard is treated as a room left open to the sky. It acts as the focal point and allows visibility/connection to all parts of the building.
The entire building is raised above ground to prevent flooding and allow for additional cooling and the walkways, ramps and stairs reinforce the impression of the finished building's apparent detachment from its site. Recycled timber walkways follow a route that crosses the buildings from end to end or connects different pavilions grafted onto its overall trajectory. Stormwater is recycled via cylindrical corrugated iron water tanks that are aligned along the back of house facades (north and south facing).
The architecture relates to Kenyan tradition and uniquely responds to this culture and landscape that mediates change and technology without becoming provincial. It is provocative plus mildly subversive in a sea of corrugated iron roofs. It expresses materials honestly and is explicit about being contemporary plus expresses strong cultural construction.
The building is designed to consume as little energy as possible, minimising materials to economise on natural resources. Traditional building materials are used with new techniques and materials which would allow members of the community to actively participate in the construction of the building. The walls are constructed from soil blocks stabilised with a small amount of cement painted with natural earthy pigments. The boundary wall adjacent to the main road is constructed from rammed earth. Ferro cement (reinforced by chicken wire) will be used to construct the amphitheatre/football pitch viewing steps.
The perimeter walls provide privacy from neighbours and the adjustable timber louvres above are juxtaposed between load bearing elements and panels of fine insect mesh which would permit ample natural light. This allows true indoor/outdoor living plus also permits cross ventilation. These fully adjustable louvres are operated internally but mounted to the exterior to provide filtered privacy plus security.
A kind request to the Sponsors
Regardless of whether this entry wins or not, a kind request from the author is that scrupulous attention should be paid to the source of the materials used, the conditions under which they are exploited and their renewable nature. The 'ideal building' would be one that is functionally autonomous i.e. functions indefinitely on the energy supplied at the outset.
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The Formula to an Ecological Functionalism
The genealogy of the form - the elongated rectangular plan was inspired by the continuous rectangular runs of corrugated iron roofs seen on the aerial photograph of the site: a common vision in most slum areas in Africa . This formula works because of its efficiency and flexibility in frequently constrained site parameters. So whatever the site and climate, this elongated rectangular plan could be used as a formula with linear interlinking of internal areas that represent a succession of functions and offer longitudinal passage from end to end, revealing a continuity between the different sections of the building.
There are infinite variations of the elongated plan but a constant is that the interior becomes an unfettered progression and the journey is always punctuated by an intermediate area between outside and inside, the form and location of which may vary from one building to another. At one end of the building a platform or veranda could be attached to the building by a light and removable screen.
The elongated rectangular plan allows natural cross ventilation with linear interlinking of internal areas with a succession of functions providing a linear progression from public to private. These elongated forms could be re-used/re-adjusted to suit another site. For a large scale site such as this one the forms are placed as parallel buildings that open onto each other transversally via interconnecting pavilions.
For this site and brief and given the current security situation in Kenya, my strategic response to the imperatives of the context is the arrangement of the elongated rectangular plan around an internal courtyard. Thus the building has enough nature to achieve a connection between landscape and interior while guarding privacy from neighbours and enclosing the secure zones where computers will be housed. The courtyard is treated as a room left open to the sky. It acts as the focal point and allows visibility/connection to all parts of the building.
The entire building is raised above ground to prevent flooding and allow for additional cooling and the walkways, ramps and stairs reinforce the impression of the finished building's apparent detachment from its site. Recycled timber walkways follow a route that crosses the buildings from end to end or connects different pavilions grafted onto its overall trajectory. Stormwater is recycled via cylindrical corrugated iron water tanks that are aligned along the back of house facades (north and south facing).
The architecture relates to Kenyan tradition and uniquely responds to this culture and landscape that mediates change and technology without becoming provincial. It is provocative plus mildly subversive in a sea of corrugated iron roofs. It expresses materials honestly and is explicit about being contemporary plus expresses strong cultural construction.
The building is designed to consume as little energy as possible, minimising materials to economise on natural resources. Traditional building materials are used with new techniques and materials which would allow members of the community to actively participate in the construction of the building. The walls are constructed from soil blocks stabilised with a small amount of cement painted with natural earthy pigments. The boundary wall adjacent to the main road is constructed from rammed earth. Ferro cement (reinforced by chicken wire) will be used to construct the amphitheatre/football pitch viewing steps.
The perimeter walls provide privacy from neighbours and the adjustable timber louvres above are juxtaposed between load bearing elements and panels of fine insect mesh which would permit ample natural light. This allows true indoor/outdoor living plus also permits cross ventilation. These fully adjustable louvres are operated internally but mounted to the exterior to provide filtered privacy plus security.
A kind request to the Sponsors
Regardless of whether this entry wins or not, a kind request from the author is that scrupulous attention should be paid to the source of the materials used, the conditions under which they are exploited and their renewable nature. The 'ideal building' would be one that is functionally autonomous i.e. functions indefinitely on the energy supplied at the outset.