One School, Many Futures

Idea projektu

Currently, less than half of children in Zambia have access to secondary education, with the lack of secondary institutions being particularly evident in rural areas. In these regions, secondary schools are concentrated in larger towns, making education inaccessible for children living outside these urban centers. The aim of this project is to design a sustainable rural school that will not only provide quality education but also become an innovative learning environment with a positive impact on the community. The school will be designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape while respecting local cultural values. Emphasis will be placed on functionality, sustainability, and the creation of a welcoming atmosphere for learning. The construction will make use of local materials and technologies to ensure efficient and environmentally responsible operation. In addition to its educational role, the school will serve as a community space that supports local culture and fosters social interaction among residents.

Popis projektu

Urban Planning Solution The urban planning solution for the school building takes into account the specifics of the surrounding landscape and its natural conditions. The site has already been cleared and deforested, creating a natural boundary that will not disturb the environment. The school campus will not be fenced, as the buildings themselves form an enclosed space, ensuring safety and security without the need for additional fencing. The school will be positioned to maximize the potential of the natural environment. The main buildings will be oriented to best capture natural light conditions, contributing to the efficient use of daylight and minimizing the need for artificial lighting. The buildings are designed to allow natural ventilation and support the chimney effect, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate. A large green area around the school will be preserved, emphasizing the maintenance of the natural environment, which is important for creating a favorable microclimate and water retention in the landscape. Access to the site is planned from the northwest side, providing convenient and safe entry. Parking for cars is planned close to the school building, although frequent use of personal vehicles is uncommon in Zambia. The parking area will be located on the cleared site. Existing paths in the wider area will be maintained, but within the site they will be modified to make the school a safe and accessible place. Behind the school, towards the forest, a sports field will be located for various physical activities, supporting the physical and social development of students and the local community. This urban planning solution emphasizes sustainability, efficient use of natural resources, and the integration of the school into the surrounding landscape, creating a pleasant, safe, and functional environment for education and community activities. Architectural Solution The school is designed as a rectangular building divided into several functional units, with the overall concept based on the conditions prevailing in Zambia. The entire campus is enclosed, creating a safe and controlled environment. This enclosed space allows for effective supervision while eliminating the need for expensive fencing, which would require additional materials. The enclosure also provides protection against wild animals and helps reduce the risk of theft. From the outside, the campus is surrounded by an embankment formed by walls at several height levels. These walls will serve not only as protection against overheating of the structures but also as a space for growing crops, which will be part of the curriculum and support the school’s operation. On one part of this embankment, photovoltaic panels (solar panels) will be installed to ensure the school’s energy self-sufficiency. The embankment will also be used as seating steps and a small grandstand for the sports field, integrating it into the outdoor activity space. The entire school campus will be placed on an elevated concrete slab, which protects against flash floods. The building mass is simple and minimalist, complemented by a corrugated roof that ensures natural ventilation and sunlight penetration into the interior spaces. The roof is open toward the center of the building, which supports the chimney effect and allows natural air circulation. In the classroom areas, a ceiling will be installed under the roof structure, made of a wooden frame and light fabrics that let in natural light. However, this light is diffused to provide pleasant illumination for the classrooms. Around the gazebo and the side entrance, shading will be provided by fabrics with African patterns that emphasize the cultural character of the place. This space will also offer children a place to rest or exercise out of direct sunlight. Brick benches will be part of this area. The school building features a skeletal structure that allows flexibility in space. Classrooms can be connected by sliding walls, which enable opening classrooms into a shared outdoor space that can be closed as needed. In addition to the main roof structure, the areas in front of the classrooms are protected by a metal roof structure providing shade and shelter for passage between classrooms. The entire school campus is designed so that it is possible to walk around the building with dry feet and in the shade, which increases comfort and protection from adverse weather conditions. The overall layout of the campus is symmetrical in terms of structure, but its use adapts to the specific needs of the school and the community.

Technické informace

Structural and Material Solution The school’s structure is based on a concrete skeleton measuring 6.15 x 6.15 meters, formed by circular columns with a diameter of 300 mm, complemented by beams to ensure stability and strength. Additional columns have a diameter of 200 mm. The entire structure is placed on an elevated concrete slab, which serves as protection against flooding and prevents mud and water from entering the interior spaces during the rainy season. The columns are anchored to concrete foundation footings. The roof structure consists of steel beams that support corrugated metal sheets used as the roof covering. The load-bearing structures are complemented by infill walls made of compressed, unfired bricks that fit tightly together, eliminating the need for mortar. This material is sustainable and suitable for local conditions. Openings are filled with wooden shutters that allow natural ventilation while providing shading. The doors are also wooden, ensuring a natural appearance. Supplementary structures are in the color tone RGB (108,141,132,255). This color is also used for accessories and furniture. Some furniture is in the color tone RGB (243,147,123). Additional shading structures are made of fabrics with African patterns. To reduce the ecological footprint and transportation costs, emphasis will be placed on using local resources and materials. Ecological Aspects of the Design and Sustainability The secondary school project is designed to meet the principles of sustainability and reflect the specific ecological, economic, and social needs of the area. The goal is to create a school that is environmentally friendly, supports the development of the local community, contributes to the sustainability of natural resources, and offers economically efficient solutions for construction and operation. Economic Aspect Low construction and operational costs: One of the main objectives of the design is to minimize expenses related to building, operating, and maintaining the school, with an emphasis on using local and readily available materials. This reduces transportation costs and lowers the ecological footprint associated with construction. Local materials such as unfired bricks and local stone are cost-effective and accessible, which also supports the regional economy. Furthermore, this approach allows for new entrepreneurial opportunities in the area, such as brick production using innovative technology. This can lead to job creation for local residents and improve the community’s economic situation. Environmental Aspect Rainwater harvesting system: Ensuring access to quality drinking water is crucial for the health and well-being of students and the wider community. The rainwater harvesting system is designed to channel water from the building roofs into collection tanks, where it is then filtered through layers of gravel and sand. This system helps conserve natural water resources and minimizes the risk of contamination of water sources. The water is regularly monitored and maintained to ensure its quality for drinking. The filtration system using sand and gravel layers is not only ecological but also cost-effective, as the filter materials can be easily removed and cleaned, ensuring long-term system sustainability. Additionally, filtration can be supplemented with UV disinfection, providing an extra level of purification and ensuring hygienic standards. Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Natural ventilation: The school is designed with natural ventilation in mind, providing optimal thermal comfort indoors. This ventilation method is based on cross-ventilation supported by wind and thermal differences within the building, creating natural airflow that ensures fresh air circulation and maintains a pleasant temperature. Airflow regulation: Ventilation control is achieved through sliding window louvers that allow adjustment of fresh air intake, ensuring optimal conditions for teaching and student comfort. Viability and Long-Term Sustainability Environmentally conscious principles: All design aspects focus on the school’s long-term sustainability. This includes not only material selection but also water management, natural ventilation, and the use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels. This comprehensive approach to sustainability contributes to creating a school that is ecological, energy-efficient, and economically advantageous. Social and Cultural Aspect Support for the local community: Beyond ecological and economic sustainability, the project contributes to local community development by serving as a center for education, cultural exchange, and social events. It will function as a meeting place for NGOs, public institutions, and other partners, fostering the growth of local business and social initiatives. Improvement of quality of life: The school will help improve living conditions in the area by providing quality education, better access to drinking water, and support for local economic development. It will be a place where students not only learn but are also educated to adopt a responsible attitude toward natural resources and community life.