KURANDZA LEARNING CENTER
TEAM: Valerio Franzone
CLIENT: Archstorming, Kurandza
LOCATION: Chivonguene, Mozambique
AREA: outdoor 1.600 m2; indoor 212 m2
STATUS: International design competition, 2022
The complex's open U shape nurtures gathering and discoveries.
Buildings:
Shaped as simple forms, distinct by size, color, and the windows' shapes, they're friendly and recognizable by the young. Like big block toys, they create a familiar, protective, and stimulating environment.
Colors:
Inspired by the national flag, the classes -the kids- and the boundary wall -the school- are teal like the richness of the land; the office, the multipurpose room, and the guardhouse are red like independence; the childcare room, the kitchen, the bathroom (hygiene), the workshop/rental are yellow like the resources; the interiors are white like peace. There’s no black because Africa is already the school's foundation.
Windows:
The windows are studied according to the functions of the buildings:
- Classrooms, different geometric shapes to be joyful;
- Office, long and linear to look outside and appear serious;
- Kitchen, portholes because it already has the funnels like ships;
- Multipurpose room, french windows because it’s open for meetings;
- Childcare Room, squares and glassed holes for a magic light;
- Bathroom, high holing for privacy and ventilation;
- Workshop/rental, big for every need;
- Guardhouse, 360° for security;
- Storage has no windows.
The classrooms are the reason for the school; they are the core generating complexity. Their facades become a boundary wall, turning all the functions in a system. The game of triangles and squares propagates, creating a pattern of windows on the landscape that permits one to look far and still feel protected. The wall dematerializes in front of the buildings, becoming a metal mesh. In addition to allowing the school’s inhabitants to admire the landscape continuously, this strategy shows the joyful complexity of the school to the outside, creating a pattern of colors and shapes in the landscape.
CONSTRUCTION
The buildings’ simple shape allows different options regarding construction techniques and materials; the project is conceived so that, whatever the chosen option, the appearance of the school complex and its good functioning will not change.
The client, in dialogue with the design architect and the local architect, will make the final decision based on their needs, the available budget, and the project’s required durability.
SUSTAINABILITY
- Solar Panels for electricity;
- Rainwater collecting system.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTIONS (Phase 2)
Covered Promenade / Canopy - Chicken Coop - Guardhouse - Workshop / Rental - Boundary wall.