Take advantage of local resources. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten
12/01/2021.
[Dzunguni - Kilifi District] Kenya
metalocus, JULIO RODRÍGUEZ
metalocus, JULIO RODRÍGUEZ
Arkitekter Uten Grenser (AUG) together with Architectopia and Jan Kazimierz Godzimirskien in collaboration with Eco Moyo Education Center, a NGO of Norwegian origin that offers free education to more than two hundred children, has designed two new kindergarten classrooms for their school in the village from Dzunguni, in the coastal region of Kilifi in Kenya.
The architects are knowledgeable about the environment and the use of local resources and indigenous materials should be a fundamental factor for the design and construction of the project.
The classrooms are raised on a large stone plinth that rises above the ground level, on it, screens are developed that delimit the different spaces of the project.
The architects are knowledgeable about the environment and the use of local resources and indigenous materials should be a fundamental factor for the design and construction of the project.
The classrooms are raised on a large stone plinth that rises above the ground level, on it, screens are developed that delimit the different spaces of the project.
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski. Photograph by Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Site plan. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Ground floor plan. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Ground floor plan - Building 1. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Ground floor plan - Building 2. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Elevation. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric constructive detail 1. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric constructive detail 2. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Axonometric scheme. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Rendering. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Rendering. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Rendering. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Rendering. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Rendering. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Building process. Eco Moyo Education Centre Kindergarten by AUG, Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
The Eco Moyo Educational Center designed by Arkitekter Uten Grenser, Architectopia and Jan Kazimierz Godzimirskien shows a union between simplicity and knowledge when designing the project. A pleasant and comfortable space for children that in turn would be useful for teaching.
The two classrooms on the ground plan are developed in two squares offset in their axes so that the meeting point between the two prisms creates an attractive place for interaction.
The use of wood in the vertical cladding on the walls and screens allows generating a translucency that moves away from opacity, added to the use of corrugated metal roofs which, through wise use of roof design, allows the evacuation of the rainwater flows into water tanks with a storage capacity of almost 25,000 liters.
The two classrooms on the ground plan are developed in two squares offset in their axes so that the meeting point between the two prisms creates an attractive place for interaction.
The use of wood in the vertical cladding on the walls and screens allows generating a translucency that moves away from opacity, added to the use of corrugated metal roofs which, through wise use of roof design, allows the evacuation of the rainwater flows into water tanks with a storage capacity of almost 25,000 liters.
Description of project by Arkitekter Uten Grenser, Architectopia and Jan Kazimierz Godzimirskien
Eco Moyo Education Centre is a Norwegian/Kenyan charity working to increase the quality of life for underprivileged children. As of this date the organization provides free education for more than 200 children in Dzunguni village which is in a rural area in the coastal region of Kilifi county in Kenya. For the last 5 years the school has been run by donations received from individual sponsors. The unique artist-based initiative - “Eco Moyo Auction” is an annual fundraiser initiated by stencil artist Martin Whatson and art collector Fredrik B. Haukebøe and is the largest contributor to the project.
Throughout the growth of the school several unique buildings have come up through a set of different collaborations between Norwegian institutions and local workforce from the surrounding village. In the fall of 2019 Arkitekter uten grenser Norge (AUG), Architectopia, Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski and Eco Moyo Education Centre teamed up to design and build two new kindergarten classrooms for the school.
During the design process it was important to use local knowledge and resources available in the vicinity of the school – local masons were hired in the construction of the foundation, and traditional carpenters were hired for the timber structure. The timber was sourced from a nearby casuarina forest, and the coral stones used in the foundation was also quarried nearby.
The two main building materials inspired a design that consists of two horizontal and parallel surfaces framed by 3 opaque walls and 2 screens that define the main activity space of each building - the concrete floor gradually steps down towards the existing landscape and the sisal ceiling extends outwards to all four sides of each building. The augmented space becomes a place of transition where various activities can take place at once. For instance, facing the football field is a set of two walkways that can be used for observing the games. The slight shift of the two buildings further generates a space that becomes a natural gathering point.
The corrugated metal roofs on each building are a simple yet effective structure. The columns extend upwards carrying four rafters of casuarina that are further covered by slimmer casuarinas that carry the metal sheets. The simple, uninterrupted slope opens towards the predominant wind direction, the south. Sisal covered ceilings trap the heat that radiates from the roof and allows for a cool and ventilated space underneath. The two roofs also slope towards the 2+3 water tanks and can store up to 25.000 liters of water which is much needed in the dry season. The structures for the water tanks enclose the big open space behind the kindergarten.
Further, the interior space is defined by two screens of sisal and three walls of makuti - a local thatch material made from dried palm leaves. These screens provide privacy to the classrooms yet at the same time preserving some of the connectivity with the surrounding landscape, nature or bush. The makuti walls, on the other hand, protect the indoors from heavy rains while at the same time providing practical surfaces for furniture or for pinning up student work.
More information
Architects
Design team
Structural Engineer.- Mattia Carioti. Project Architect - Architectopia.- Ryan McGaffney. Architect - Architectopia.- Valentina Petricca. Construction Architect.- Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski.
Client
Developer
EQuality (N/A).
Builder
Tuva General Construction LTD (N/A).
Budget
187,000 NOK (21,000 USD).
Dates
2019.
Location
Dzunguni, Kilifi District, Kenya.
Photography
Alfonso Rengifo. Arkitekter Uten Grenser
Arkitekter Uten Grenser is an architecture studio of Norwegian origin founded by Alfonso Rengifo, they have developed projects throughout the world in Argentina, Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway or Sierra Leone, among others.
Arkitekter Uten Grenser is the worldwide network "Architects Without Borders" new branch in Norway.
Architecture without borders is a humanitarian organization that aim to improve the quality of life in the areas of education, housing and health through architecture. To gain lasting effects they wish to focus on projects with a long term perspective helping to preserve and promote local history, culture and natural resources together with the local communities.
The worldwide network Architects Without Borders has started a new branch in Norway with the aim to help communities with architecture and urban planning by playing an important role for vulnerable and marginalized communities of all kinds.
Arkitekter Uten Grenser is the worldwide network "Architects Without Borders" new branch in Norway.
Architecture without borders is a humanitarian organization that aim to improve the quality of life in the areas of education, housing and health through architecture. To gain lasting effects they wish to focus on projects with a long term perspective helping to preserve and promote local history, culture and natural resources together with the local communities.
The worldwide network Architects Without Borders has started a new branch in Norway with the aim to help communities with architecture and urban planning by playing an important role for vulnerable and marginalized communities of all kinds.
“ An important focus area for us is on long-term projects. It is in this way we believe that we can contribute the most with our professional knowledge.”
Alfonso Rengifo.
Andrew Holt. Architectopia
Architectopia is an Oslo-based architectural firm focusing on environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Architectopia AS was established by Andrew Holt in 2012 with the aim of bringing innovative environmental solutions into the construction industry. This started with the implementation of the Rudolf Steiner School in 2012, which uses passive ventilation strategies to heat and cool the building.
The office consists of a team of skilled and committed architects with expertise and experience from all phases of design. They focus on delivering site-adapted architecture of high quality within time and financial frameworks, as well as innovative environmental solutions.
Their team has extensive experience from public and private projects, transformation, follow-up on construction sites, teaching and environmental consulting. They work mainly with offices, care buildings, kindergartens, schools and detached houses.
The process is characterized by an active listening collaboration with the client, user, authorities and interdisciplinary team. For them, communication with the client, user and interdisciplinary team is crucial to create a good process and create solutions where everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
Their office has core values; quality, security and innovative solutions in environmental and social sustainability.
Architectopia AS has central approval for overall responsibility for design, architectural design and search. The office has expertise in environmental consulting, including for BREEAM and passive house construction.
Architectopia AS was established by Andrew Holt in 2012 with the aim of bringing innovative environmental solutions into the construction industry. This started with the implementation of the Rudolf Steiner School in 2012, which uses passive ventilation strategies to heat and cool the building.
The office consists of a team of skilled and committed architects with expertise and experience from all phases of design. They focus on delivering site-adapted architecture of high quality within time and financial frameworks, as well as innovative environmental solutions.
Their team has extensive experience from public and private projects, transformation, follow-up on construction sites, teaching and environmental consulting. They work mainly with offices, care buildings, kindergartens, schools and detached houses.
The process is characterized by an active listening collaboration with the client, user, authorities and interdisciplinary team. For them, communication with the client, user and interdisciplinary team is crucial to create a good process and create solutions where everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
Their office has core values; quality, security and innovative solutions in environmental and social sustainability.
Architectopia AS has central approval for overall responsibility for design, architectural design and search. The office has expertise in environmental consulting, including for BREEAM and passive house construction.
Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski
Jan Kazimierz Godzimirski (born 1992) graduated from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design in 2018. From 2011-2014, Jan was a codirector for “Senter for frivillig ungdom” (Center for Voluntary Youth) organizing an exchange program with the “Huni Kuin” – a native amazon tribe – and building a “mini amazon” themed installation at Sagene, Oslo, Norway. In 2012-2013 Jan worked alongside paper conservators at the Munch Museum as a consultant, designing a system producing 170 unique book cradles for the exhibition “Munch on Paper”. In 2013 he began work with Magne Magler Wiggen at mmw, where he redesigned the mmw’s website and built various installations for the studio.
In 2014 Jan was on exchange at TU Delft in the Netherlands where he participated in an interdisciplinary course (Bucky Lab) focusing on paper as a construction material; through structural analysis and computer aided design his team produced a total of 120 pages of research. Pursuing his curiosity and passion for working with materials, Jan joined the Scarcity and Creativity Studio in 2016, where he held a teaching position from 2017 - 2019.
In 2019 Jan became part of the board of Eco Moyo Education Centre - a unique school in rural Kenya, where his main focus has been the onsite development of the school, such as consulting on how to repair damaged buildings and developing strategies for future development. Since 2015 Jan has, in addition, been part of the 120 hours team, organizing and running the world’s largest architectural competition for students.
In 2014 Jan was on exchange at TU Delft in the Netherlands where he participated in an interdisciplinary course (Bucky Lab) focusing on paper as a construction material; through structural analysis and computer aided design his team produced a total of 120 pages of research. Pursuing his curiosity and passion for working with materials, Jan joined the Scarcity and Creativity Studio in 2016, where he held a teaching position from 2017 - 2019.
In 2019 Jan became part of the board of Eco Moyo Education Centre - a unique school in rural Kenya, where his main focus has been the onsite development of the school, such as consulting on how to repair damaged buildings and developing strategies for future development. Since 2015 Jan has, in addition, been part of the 120 hours team, organizing and running the world’s largest architectural competition for students.
