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Pre-primary School / Asa studio

01:00 - 7 May, 2014

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Architects
Asa studio
Location
Rwanda
Main Designers
Tom Berlanda, Nerea Amros Elorduy
Project Year
2013
Photographs
Courtesy of Asa studio

Design Team
Zeno Riondato, Michelle Stadelman, Francesco Stassi, Alice Tasca

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From the architect. The project aim is to set the Rwandan standards for preprimary facilities. Based on the findings from the Child Friendly Schools standards, this project seeks
to stimulate kids under 6. Considered as an added educator, the design is thought to engage the kids self-learning and stimulation. The use of materials and techniques, the
participatory process of design and construction, and the compound arrangement, seek to achieve a sustainable, innovative, cost eicient and replicable model.

Sustainability concept:
Gasanze preprimary school is one of 5 pilot projects that aim to improve early childhood education at a national level. The Government of Rwandas wants to set the standards
for preprimary facilities having the model replicated at every primary school countrywide; therefore cost eiciency and community involvement are key of success. The design
should achieve sustainable, creative and comfortable learning spaces for children under the age of 6.

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The project uses local materials introducing small innovations to the traditional construction methods for structurally sound and stimulating facilities that transfer skills to the
community. The design can be easily understood and its techniques can be applied elsewhere to improve the built environment. Working with 5 dierent rural communities is
unveiling questions related role of architecture in the Rwandan kids stimulation as well as aesthetic and spatial considerations.

All elements are designed to engage the childrens gross motor, language skills, social interaction and knowledge development. Playground materials; general arrangements as
water harvesting, clean water points, separate safe toilets; outdoors covered learning spaces that allow for flexible uses year round; dierent materials, patterns, textures,
shapes and colors; interior organization of the classrooms with several dierent storage spaces and dierent corners. All these elements position the facility as an added
educator, helping caregivers in their job and fostering the childs self-learning process.

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The use local materials reduce the environmental impact, and allow for unskilled labor to learn and grow with the building. The RC load bearing structure ensures safety against
hazards meanwhile the use of fired brick masonry elevations fit with the village fabric. The interior reed ceiling gives aesthetic value to the space improving the acoustic and
climatic comfort while the roof skylight allows for enough daylight.

UNICEFs role involving local authorities, defining an innovative teaching strategy, providing for logistics and funding, and liaising with the Ministry of Education has been crucial.
The participation of all stakeholders is a central piece of the design process, which began with the findings from the CFS consultation project carried out by UNICEF 2008 across
country; ASA has been working with headmasters, UNICEF, engineers, contractors, and community masons to ensure the long-term durability of these facilities.

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Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Courtesy of Asa studio

Floor Plan

Elevation

Section AA

Section BB

Rendering

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

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Material:
Brick

See more:
Projects

Built Projects

Selected Projects

Educational Architecture

Schools

Educational

Rwanda

Cite: "Pre-primary School / Asa studio" 07 May 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 27 Jul 2016. <http://www.archdaily.com/502916/pre-primary-school-asa-studio/>

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