The Design
Watching the students design their ideas for the computer center has been incredibly interesting. They have genuinely taken to heart not only the site (building location/environment) and its possible future uses to heart, but they have also embraced the community and its surroundings as inspiration for the plans.
Several have taken the local rainforest as their models. One group has designed a roof that consists of multiple levels. These levels serve a functional purpose as they allow rising hot air to be sucked out of the top of the building, keeping the interior nice and cool (something called “suck-ulation” …). The multiple levels would also mirror the multiple levels of the threes growing in the local rainforest. ( check out this site to learn more about rainforest layers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainforest#Rainforest_layers).
Another designer wants to incorporate a column which relates to a specific tree we learned about while touring the forest. The tree, no matter where it grows, will never grow absolutely straight. Therefore, the student thought about putting the columns at something other than perfectly up and down.
Others took the building’s purpose (a classroom for future computers and office) as an inspiration. The building would at first follow the existing buildings, but it would curve and point towards a new direction, just like the incorporation of computers might lead the village toward a new future.
Some of the designs reflect more the actual purpose of the building, such as the placement of certain windows to lessen distractions and increase airflow. Also, a raised area with steps so teachers can use it as a podium or students can use it to look over the shoulders of their classmates using the computers (think stadium seating). The designers have also addressed how the entrance of the building will address the 2 different walkways that approach the school area.
The designers have also taken into account the accessibility of the building. Ghana and existing school buildings seem anything but accessible, so it at first seems silly to plan for a ramp in a place where deep groves/canyons from erosion scar the ground and any area of concrete is full of craters. Regardless, the students recognize it as an important thing to consider for the people who will eventually use the buildings and make sure they are in the habit of planning for accessibility once they start working.
One of the most interesting elements of seeing the students design is being present during a critique session. During these sessions the each explain their design and rational behind their idea. Once the students has presented his/her idea everyone discusses that they like/dislike, understand/do not understand, and think what will/will not work. Personally I do not think I could handle having people dis my work, but everyone was incredibly relaxed and seemed to genuinely respect each others ideas.
Since most of the designs are strikingly similar J has decided to create once cohesive design to present to the community. While the students are used to working in design teams, I think trying to get 18 budding architects to agree on a single design will be difficult. Nonetheless, they are all interested in the needs of the community and I think they will create the cohesions needed to create something truly magnificent.