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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. AU Dormitory in Nansana, Uganda by TERRAIN architectsJune 10th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: TERRAIN architects A dormitory was built as a residential school for 50 students from sub-Saharan Africa to prepare them for entering universities abroad. It is located in a rapidly urbanizing town, 13km from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. It stands right on the equator but high above sea-level. The building is designed to respond, simply, to the climate, with tall walls positioned East-West to maximize shade, and large openings facing South and North – that bring wind and light deep into the rooms. It comprised of classrooms, both male and female dormitories, staff quarters, a canteen, kitchen and also office for staff.  View of courtyard, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim
 Girl's dormitory entrance, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim In the enclosed site, the biggest challenge was to keep a proper distance between quiet individual activities and group activities. Rooms that share a space between two brick walls – 3 and 4 meters wide spaces called 'bay' – are united, while those that stand each side of the wall are separated. Besides the span across – and unified – three 'bays' is large enough for the whole community to gather in.  Dormitory entrance, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Office terrace, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim We noticed that the local people spent hot days outside – in shade and in the breeze – and we followed the same principle by positioning long walls on east and west sides to give shadow, and by making large openings on North and South facades to draw wind and light deep into the rooms. All materials and construction technologies were locally sourced – in respect for the local culture.  East elevation, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Classroom, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim The variegated red bricks were carefully selected and the walls were carefully built. It is because the visual weight and thickness lends the building a sense of security, like the trunk ion a big tree that is rooted deeply into the Earth, which makes people want to touch, or lean on it. Through the long process of construction, masons and laborers found pride in their own bricks that they originally thought had no value.  Canteen is extended to hall, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Dormitory bedroom, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Dance performance at hall, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  View of classroom, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Study space, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Wall positioned on East and West, Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Image Courtesy © Timothy Latim  Climate Diagram, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Sketch Plan, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Wall Axonometric, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Sketches, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  1st Floor Plan, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Ground Floor Plan, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Wall Composition, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Section, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects  Site Plan, Image Courtesy © TERRAIN architects
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Categories: Residential, School |
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