EduShift

Fig: 1 - Schools are an important typology that provide overall development of kids (Credits-Doug Linstedt)

PREMISE

Education has been one of the most fundamental parameters that are considered vital for the development of societies. Major issues are prevalent that need to be addressed, from social, and economic to political issues. Education is considered to be a solution for these basic problems, as it paves for a foundation for helping people tackle issues at the roots. 

Schools offer much more than education, as they provide children with life skills that can help them support their survival and also for preventing poverty, diseases, and other issues. 

In developing countries, schools usually have a multipurpose use, as they are not just educational centres, but also act as healthcare, refuge, and wellbeing spaces for children in some way or the other. But in less-developed countries the case is much worse, there is a need for such a space that can function successfully as a multipurpose space while withstanding economic/political/social unrest. 

In situations where there is unrest, how can the safety and working of school space be ensured?

Fig: 2 -In places of unrest and issues buildings remain  temporary commodities(Credits-Jordy Meow)

CHANGE IN THE AREAS OF UNREST

In locations where there is unrest, the design proposed should consider its temporary nature. The unprecedented effects caused by various situations limit the scope for permanent construction design. In order to withstand these changes, the structures have to be sustainable even after their destruction. 

Due to the recurring occurrences of such events, post-disaster reconstruction becomes a major issue in terms of economic constraints. There is a need for a design that is easily rebuildable and is made of materials that can be reused and retrofitted back easily; reducing the economic and construction cost required. The temporary and rebuildable nature of construction offers a large scope for the people to rebuild it back into use. Affordability of materials, and good geometric buildability offer scope for construction in spaces of unrest. 

How can architecture design create a way to create a temporary but innovative solution for school design in areas of unrest?

Fig: 3 - Can modular solutions prove to be helpful to provide options for premenatant education? (Credits- Modular School in Afric-Valentio Gareri)

BRIEF OF THE COMPETITION

How can architecture create spaces that will be flexible and easy to adjust? 

How to create a space that will act as a platform for educational development in areas that have unrest? 

Brief: The architecture competition brief calls for a design of a makeshift school that is multifunctional and flexible. 
Participants are to innovate the school space design into a more open and flexible space. The design concept should follow on the lines of modularity, rebuilablity and accessibility. 

The aim is to understand and implement strategies that will provide a platform that will be adaptable and modular to the context. 
Extending beyond the imageability of a school building, but rather as a building that is adaptable to social and environmental conditions. 

OBJECTIVES

Local material: How effectively is the design making use of materials that are easily available and ample?

Multifunctional space: How efficiently is the design able to carry multiple functions? 

Geometry: How effectively is the design erectable?

Reusable material: To use materials that can be reused post destruction. 

SITE 

Bogotá, Colombia

The site for this challenge is located in Columbia. Columbia is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea and the west of the Pacific Ocean. With over 50 million inhabitants it is one of the most linguistically and ethnically diverse areas in the world. Its territory encompasses Highlands, grasslands, and deserts. The site is located in the core area of the Bogota region. Located in the central region of the highly crowded areas, it provides a variety of spaces around the site. Including the landscape, residential and commercial spaces. Providing access for the people to basic amenities and services. 

• Coordinates: 4°44'16.0"N 74°06'17.4"W  
• Area: 3890.73 sqm
• Height limit: 6 m
• FAR (Floor Area Ratio): 0.8
• Ground Coverage: 30% 

PROGRAMMATIC OUTLINE

The programmatic outline is intended for a middle school with a capacity of 50 students. The space ideas are as follows: 

• Learning spaces/classrooms/workshops: 40%
• Staff/Administration: 20%
• Gathering/Common recreational and landscape spaces: 25%
• Ancillary and other services: 15%

Other additional spaces can be added by the participants as per their design needs.