• • 27 March 2015
  • 
  •  Kelvin Salasya
• Education Centres , Modern Africana , Contemporary African Directory , Contemporary ,

This project fundamentally features contemporary architectural style as witnessed by the building’s design to respond appropriately to the client’s needs. The building and facility design was obliged in making this possible without unnecessary energy expense. It showcases innovative passive thermal control systems and its devotion in using the expertise of local businesses with limited import of manufactured produce to economically moderate the technical resources.The program, awarded Winner of the Grand Prix AFEX 2012 for the French Architecture in the world, involves new construction on an already occupied site of a city school, where there currently exists the sports fields, incorporating the nursery and primary schools, college and high school for a term global personnel of 2,500 students. Owing to the client’s limited budget of € 15.7 million for about 17,000 sqm – 40,000 sqm of outdoor space for a makeover, the client sought essential challenges for the future, such as appropriating a responsible approach towards nature by necessitating an architectural response that is in line with a well-endowed economic and sustainable development policy approach. This is in accordance to the search for an environmentally-friendly energy supply that has lessened effect on resources and climate.

Natural cross ventilation within the building is enhanced by positioning the main building in confined strips between two features which results in formation of the inner islands by wood and shade. This provides a pleasant improvement of the building’s natural air circulation. Meanwhile, the constructive typology of each entity consents to a number of solutions to as “passive” cooling and direct solar protection. This includes incorporation of various elemental factors such the external distribution corridors, ventilated double walling, sunshades, large inertia roofs just to mention a few. All of these devices are provided to ensure suitable thermal comfort for most of the school calendar year and also facilitate the reduction of dependency of use of air conditioning machines to one or two months a year. This is in line with the rising interest in offering sustainable and ecological solutions to modern day developments aimed at protecting the future.

With the exception of some proposed works in poured concrete, the entire operation is built in masonry and slab floors. The selection of finishing materials also favors the use of products manufactured and distributed locally, such as locks, basalt pavers for outdoor floors, terrazzo tiles and porcelain tiles for interior floors. Finally, the introduction of solar panels for hot water as well as the installation of a stand- alone treatment plant for recycling wastewater to irrigate outdoor spaces, complete Upper approach Environmental Quality initiated by the agency from the design phase competition The building feature remarkable innovative sustainable strategies such the use of minimalist window openings, which are adequately recessed, enough for penetration of natural day light and minimize on entry of direct solar radiation. The development features smooth facet finish that compliments care for Mother Nature, this is also realized by additionally using of an earthly colour – brown red on the facades. The school development is commendable in subscribing to the principle of a conscientious handling of natural resources.

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