When we set out to design this school, knowing that the population would quickly outgrow any rigid structure built, we abandoned the idea of constructing a static building. Our design intent gives the villages a methodology that can grow and change with their evolving needs. With a success rate of 30% for every 10 students who embark on the school path, we aimed to double the school's capacity by designing expandable classrooms. Three strategies were proposed to build these growing village schools, curved brick walls, floating metal roof, and flexible wall panels.
CURVED MUD BRICK WALLS - Crinkle crackle block walls. This is a historic method of building with bricks that dates back to Ancient Egypt and allows you to construct a block wall capable of sustaining lateral forces with fewer (mud) bricks than a straight wall. We achieve this by utilizing local brick materials and labor, which would also enhance the acoustics of the classrooms.
FLOATING METAL ROOF - Separating the roof on columns independent from the walls allows for the configuration of the classrooms to change over time and enables natural draft ventilation. The mud brick walls, known to shrink and contract, are free to do so without affecting the roof. The roof frames and columns would be framed on the ground and tilted into place, then clad with corrugated metal sheets. This approach would also provide the framework for future expansions.
FLEXIBLE WALL PANELS -The panelized walls will be made of readily available materials, and even those materials can change over time as other options become available, such as metal sheets, Kente cloth, Manjak fabrics, palm fronds, etc. These panels will comprise the second half of the classrooms and allow for expansion towards the property edges while preserving the central courtyards. They will be easily installed, removed, and rearranged, providing the school with the flexibility it needs.
PROJECTED GROWTH - The program calls for 10 classrooms, but given the design approach and the connection of all the corridors with outdoor spaces, we can accommodate 14 classrooms on the property while still having plenty of green space. Above, we show 9 phases, which is 4 more than the original 5. As the school grows each season or as funds become available, they can add additional classrooms.
