EXERCISE 4: PRECEDENT

OLIFANTSVLEI CRÈCHEPLAYGROUND FOR CHANGEA big request of the teaching staff is the possibility to realize new concepts of education, away from the present, hierarchical educational system, which offers little space for exercise and development. The complex consists of 2 class-rooms, kitchen, sanitary installation and an out-door playground. Embedded in a “colourful landscape”, adventure and curiosity are encouraged and serve a san experimental play-room for children to discover and conquer.

The general design-idea tries to capture the childlike natural desire to enter and conquer their surrounding. Architecture will come alive through the curiosity, the adventuresomeness and fantasy of the Olivantsvlei- Preschool-Gang. There is no better provision for their start into education and personal progress for those children.

The feeling of responsibility and initiative given to youth through team sports can be vital for building their character as responsible adults. Having the community witness the effects of team sports on youth, can spark a similar feeling of empowerment and community strengthening. With many adults busy working for their fight to survive, the nightime proves to be their only moment for repose and chance to witness the change happening in their team empowered youth. Subsequently, the project provides a continued vitality from the day into the night.

Regardless of the gender and age of a visitor to the site, an unbiased friend in the form of sports, light and learning greets the area in day and evening activity.

A welcoming face of varied activities in combination with the shelter’s projecting shades and roofs and colorful outer wall smile for new visitors.

BRAD ALEXANDER 210061227

PRECEDENT

OLIFANTSVLEI CRÈCHEEXERCISE 4

Main Technological idea of structure:

The site is treated as a large play-ground and the new structure was to form an integral part of the site. A deconstructive approach was used to create a novel design idiom to the area.

The design was to consist of a straight-forward manner of assembly. A sophisticated logic of construction was to be introduced, and the structure as a whole should respond well to the environment

How the technological idea contributes to the overall idea of the structure:

The angular metal sheet roofing covers the classrooms, offices and ablutions, of which all are made of ply-wood. The main roof was then constructed of steel supported by steel columns. The dramatically sloping roof emphasises the play area around the classrooms.

Colour-coded skylights add a playful touch and the seating, niches and landings enhance the children’s educational experience.

PRECEDENTEXERCISE 4

OLIFANTSVLEI CRÈCHESECTIONS

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

CROSS-SECTION

PRECEDENTEXERCISE 4

OLIFANTSVLEI CRÈCHEDETAILS

PRECEDENTEXERCISE 4

PLAYGROUND FOR CHANGE

Main Technological idea of structure:

The Playground structure was to be designed in such a way that the use could be changed by the hour. From soccer club-house to medical centre, and was to be built of materials that were native to the region.

How the technological idea contributes to the overall idea of the structure:

Indigenous materials, such as adobe bricks, were used in the construction of the walls, providing a thermal mass to welcome visitors into the structure during the cooler nights.

Other locally found materials included roofs of corrugated sheet iron, shades of timber “latte” and pine lumber structure with concrete footings.

PRECEDENTEXERCISE 4

PLAYGROUND FOR CHANGE

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

CROSS-SECTION

PRECEDENTEXERCISE 4

PLAYGROUND FOR CHANGE

ORIGINAL DESIGN IDEA

HOW PRECEDENT WILL BE INFLUENCING MY DESIGN

FROM THE OLIFANTSVLEI CRECHE:

The floating roof of the Olifantsvlei Creche provides a smooth and subtle transition between the structure and the atmosphere, preventing the structure from over-powering the natural beauty of its surroundings, by being a closed block on a piece of Earth.

This is something I want to install into my idea of the community hub, where the roof is almost held up by the sky, giving the visitor a sense of still being surrounded by nature, even though they’re inside the structure

The different spaces are defined not only through the use and placing of walls, but through the use of varying floor levels and the imagination. Without any wall, a structure consisting of different floor levels or mediums, can immediately show different spaces and provides the visitor with a mindset of knowing that the different spaces are not determined by walls, but by the imagination.

My hub will then consist of varying floor levels and mediums, providing a variety of spaces for the different groups of users intending on using the space. Smaller areas could be to a raised or lower level, and the floor mediums could vary if no change in levels were introduced, providing the same idea of having different spaces in the structure with out the physical use of walls

FROM THE PLAYGROUND FOR CHANGE:The idea of one structure being able to suit different functions, ,makes a lot of sense! Either ranging from something by day to something by night, or from small group meeting of 2 or 3 people, to larger groups of 6 or 7 people, to even 20 person business meetings, my structure should be able to accommodate for all of these groups, sometimes all at the same time.

Dividing walls could be used to double up as a media wall, onto which projectors or presentati0ns could be shown, allowing for maximum use from limited space