introduction
‘future rural schools- morocco’
Laurens Bekemans – Catherine Mengé
The studio assignment ‘Future rural school’ started with an extensive research about the context in Morocco and is summarized in an already published ‘research booklet’.
The designs for the new pre-schools in Sidi Boussehab and Tazentout, made within this studio, will be explained in this booklet.
general studio assignment
content
In a global perspective, around 90% of the world’s population cannot afford an architect, who is trained to design from behind his computer and prescribe mass-produced materials. The pre-industrialized concept of a master-builder might just come back. It reflects the idea of an integral approach to architecture, embedded in local context, local materials and local craftsmanship.
The contemporary master builder understands the art of building and is a decent craftsman. Besides he also works with the possibilities of contemporary technologies and digital media. Exchanges between cultures and working with local building materials and techniques is a starting point for the master-builder in order to achieve site-specific architectural projects.
two bio climatic schools in sidi boussehab and tazentout
The project sites are located in the neighbourhood of Agadir, Morocco. The projects are part of a long-term program of the Goodplanet Foundation called “Bio-climatic Schools”. Within this program the foundation builds schools in rural environments based upon bio-climatic principles using local resources, knowledge and techniques. The Commune of Drarga (Morocco) ordered the construction of 5 of such schools in their region due to the success of the program in Morocco. The design of 2 schools in Sidi Boussehab and Tazentout will therefore be designed as prototypes and will function as an example for the development of the 3 other schools.
design approach
The studio works with 2 key principles that are connected to sustainable research and design: ‘sense of place’ and ‘materiality’.
On one hand the studio focusses on ‘sense of a place’. Students try to understand and work with the specificity of the context. With this knowledge they develop a site-anchored (spatial + socio-cultural) architectural project for the chosen site. Both in terms of functionality and materialization the project is celebrating the place.
On the other hand, this studio looks at the materiality and craftsmanship of architecture. Everything is embedded. As the student is challenged to understand in a holistic way the construction site, he/she develops affinities with local resources, construction techniques, bioclimatic principles and architectural typologies. These explorations will bring students closer to materials and their constructive features. This will bridge the existing gap between architectural education and craftsmanship of architecture.
Starting from these principles it is the intention that the students acquire profound site knowledge studying the construction locations on site. By observations, interviews, sketches, taking measurements,
photography and film etc… the essential characteristics, potentials and problems are investigated in a holistic way. Afterwards alternative designs are developed which are critically evaluated based on different criteria such as ‘sustainability’, answer on ‘real needs’, ‘creative and qualitative spatial solution’, etc…
aim
The aim of the design studio is to develop a vision on schools in the rural context of Morocco and to design high-quality architectural projects until executional level. The students will develop their designs as architectural strategies, giving the possibility to adapt their proposals easily to different topographies, different rural morphologies and technical necessities.
introduction to the studio projects
The request for a new kindergarten in Sidi Boussehab and Tazentout came from the management of the schools and the higher administration and is supported by the Goodplanet Foundation. Also the villages expressed the wish to expand primary school with a kindergarten class…
The village associations took care of the students during the stay on site. During the local investigations, the construction site was thoroughly studied and measured. The students examined the local building materials and techniques and also got to know the way of living and culture of the village. The children in the village were very enthusiastic and even drew their ‘ideal school’.
This inspired the development of thoughtful site-specific bio-climatic projects.
The published projects for future kindergartens offer one-by-one beautiful future spaces, where children will be happy and learn a lot!
Read the booklet here.