p r i n c e [ a l b e r t ] p r e - s c h o o l

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN [THREE] - ERGONOMICS

 

An interactive, well insulated, well lit, group of buildings, positioned around a communal, safe, spill-out space. As part of the students’ learning period the building will “teach” its own set of skills (farming, water harvesting as well as an introduction into the BIG WORLD at an early stage).

 

DESIGN AIM _ A cost effective group of buildings with a lightweight roof structure and thick thermal walls. It should be colourful, multi-levelled, ventilated, water-use wise, fun and safe.

 

CHALLENGES _ Typology for arid context. Karoo landscape. Building type regula- tions. Contextual issue. Climatic responsive. Walkways. Trees. 

Contours. 

 

LOCATION _ Karoo, Western Cape

 

REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED _

2 classrooms (20-30 children per class)

Sound- and sleeping room

Multi-purpose hall

Soup kitchen

Admin office

Caretaker residence 

Outside public ‘circle square’

 

LOCAL ARCHITECTURE _ Cape dutch. Victorian. Thatch. High and pitched roofs. Thick walls.   No flat roofs. Soft colours. Wide streets and large shady trees.

 

LANDSCAPE _ Effective method of transferring water via channels.

Surrounded by flat table top mountains. 

Acacia karroo tree and ephemeral flowers (a flower that flowers whenever it rains.) Plants that need less water.

Mucching - a protective cover placed over soil to retain moisture. It 

surpresses weed growth.

 

CLIMATE _ High temperature in summer, comfortable but crisp in winter with cold nights. 

Winter minimum of 2  C with frost.

Short spring and autumn. Max 40  C, min 17  C. Average 33  C - 35  C.

 

Sizes for pre-school education: 4 - 6 years old

3,5m   per child.

WC - 380mm high. Lavatories - 610mm high. 

Tackboard and rail - 510mm high.

 

Age 4 - chair 254mm high.

 

Age 6 - chair 305mm high.

 

Window sill - 600mm max. Requires handicapped access to toilet rooms, doors 914mm wide. Light - Flourescent lights, windows are important, but curtains, blinders/ shaders are necessary. Walls - Painted a high quality satin, every few years. Ceiling - Suspended ceilings are recommended with acoustic absorbent panels. Floor - Carpets are recommended (60%)

 

ATTRACTIONS _ Olive farms. 13 national monumental buildings. Karoo astronomy.