Kashitu School Complex – Sustainable Learning Environments

Idea projektu

The project envisions a sustainable educational campus in Kashitu, Zambia, organized around a central courtyard that serves as the heart of the community. The campus layout fragments the buildings and surrounding spaces to allow for flexible movement and efficient connectivity. The central courtyard functions not only as a circulation core but also as a social and communal hub that fosters interaction and multi-functionality. The design is grounded in sustainable strategies, including passive ventilation for natural airflow, rainwater harvesting for water reuse, and the use of natural lighting to reduce energy consumption. Green areas are integrated throughout the site, creating a balanced environment that supports both education and recreation. The overall goal is to provide an inclusive, climate-responsive, and community-centered learning space.

Popis projektu

The masterplan for Kashitu School Campus in Zambia is organized into five main functional zones: education, housing, recreation, existing structures, and the entrance zone. At the heart of the site lies a multifunctional center, strategically placed to unify the surrounding functions and serve as a communal hub. The educational zone includes four school buildings, each with two classrooms for 36 students, organized around a shared courtyard. The dormitory zone, located to the west, consists of separate buildings for boys and girls, also arranged around inner courtyards. Sanitary facilities are placed in detached structures, as required by the brief. Locally sourced materials such as compressed earth bricks, bamboo, straw, and textile are used to reflect the vernacular identity. The recreational zone features a circular multifunctional center, while additional facilities such as beekeeping and workshops are positioned within the educational zone to support both academic and practical learning. The orthogonal layout and north-facing orientation of buildings ensure spatial efficiency, environmental responsiveness, and a cohesive urban structure.

Technické informace

All campus buildings share a unified structural system consisting of a simple reinforced concrete frame with infill walls made of locally produced compressed earth bricks. The foundation system is based on elevated strip footings, designed to address seasonal flooding. Roofs have a slope of 6–7% and are supported by bamboo structures. The materials used throughout the campus are primarily vernacular and locally sourced, including earth bricks, bamboo, straw, and textile, reflecting the community’s traditional building techniques. These choices ensure affordability, sustainability, and strong community involvement in the construction process.

Dokumentace

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