SCHOOL BETWEEN DISTRICTS
Idea projektu
The construction site is located on the boundary between two districts—Kapiri Mposhi and Mkushi. A small river, the Mubalashi, flows between them. The school functions as a bridge—connecting both sides of the districts. This solution shortens the walking distance for children. By being placed at the border, it creates equal conditions for children from both districts and makes the school more accessible to a wider population in this sparsely populated area. The design was also inspired by the way electricity is generated in Zambia. Nearly 80% of the country’s energy comes from hydropower, yet rural areas often have no access to this electricity. In the proposal, energy-generating units are placed beneath the bridge structure, producing electricity for the school in a manner typical for Zambia. The form and massing of the building result from the application of simple sustainable principles and the limitations of local construction methods. The school is designed using locally available materials such as unfired brick, concrete, steel, and timber. The bridge structure applies the principle of a Vierendeel truss.
Popis projektu
The mass and form of the building is the result of the application of simple sustainable principles and more limited building options. The school is a simple rectangle in plan. By conceiving the building as a closed, inward-facing shape, the need for costly brick fencing is eliminated. In local conditions, the construction of wind direction and therefore more efficient cross ventilation is appropriate. Two wings of classrooms are located on this axis. In contrast, the north/south axis orientation is advantageous in that the low sun does not penetrate as deeply into the building. The roof is pitched. It must be to withstand heavy rainfall in the rainy season. For larger roofs, simple trapezoidal sheeting is used here, but this overheats in the dry season. Therefore, the roof is not directly adjacent to the supporting structure but is offset to create an air gap.
Technické informace
Emphasis was placed on the availability and sustainability of materials. The entire structure is supported on reinforced concrete slabs, and two principles are incorporated into the design. The two wings located on the banks are designed as a reinforced concrete skeleton filled with unfired bricks. The openings in the masonry are floor-to-crown high, eliminating the need to add additional lintel. The openings are shuttered with adjustable wood shutters. Vaulted brick block ceilings are proposed above the spaces. They are painted gloss white to reflect light and create a more pleasant environment. The ceilings form a barrier between the trapezoidal sheet metal roof, which often overheats. In the rainy season they serve an acoustic purpose. The vaults do not enclose the space, but are open at the front, allowing hot air to be ventilated through the classroom. The wings that bridge the Mulbalashi River are conceived differently structurally. The supporting structure is a steel Vierendeel beam. The beam is one storey high and is supported on a reinforced concrete foundation. The girder is cross braced - steel bracing is concealed in each transverse timber partition wall. The structure is complemented by a lightweight timber floor and timber pull-out infills. The lightweight trapezoidal roof is supported by steel elements.
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