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Projects 2019-20

Introduction
by Catherine Mengé & Laurens Bekemans

The studio assignment ‘Future rural schools’ started with an extensive research of the context in the region of Agadir in Morocco, summarized in an already published ‘research booklet’.
The designs for new pre-schools in Tidili and Tamgounsi, made in this studio, are explained in this ‘project booklet’.

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 are starting points for the master-builder in order to achieve site-specific architectural projects.

Two bio climatic schools in Tidili and Tamgounsi
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 Tidili and Tamgounsi will therefore be designed as prototypes and will function as examples for the development of the 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.

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 new pre-schools in Tidili and Tamgounsi 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 their primary school with a kindergarten class.
The projects in this booklet for future pre-schools offer one-by-one qualitative spaces, where children will be happy and learn a lot!

Read the booklet here.