Hlaueka Assembly Hall
Assembly & Gathering | 2023
M.Arch | Prof. Maged Guerguis
Assembly & Gathering | 2023
M.Arch | Prof. Maged Guerguis
The big idea behind this Assembly Hall
project, is ultimately to provide a space
for gathering and community to flourish
within the Hlauleka Primary School in
Chokwe, Mozambique. The school is
responsible for cooking and serving
over 1,400 meals a day to the primary
school and high school students and
staff. Despite classrooms being dispersed
through the campus, there is not a
singular communal gathering space for
this to take place. This new construction
will provide space for just that and
hopefully even more.
Being situated adjacent to the new kitchen building for the school will allow for easier transport, distribution and service of meals for students and staff. The location is also centralized enough that it could create a hub for gathering at different times of day. This space is meant to be for everyone to use and enjoy. The open space on the interior and the use of flexible, movable furniture allow for this space to transform into more than a dining hall if need be. It could be used for assembly, group activities and more. The impact of this space on the environment and ecosystems surrounding it are minimal. The use of a French drain system surrounding the buildings foundation allows for the excess rainwater to be evacuated from the area into a drainage canal offsite.
Being situated adjacent to the new kitchen building for the school will allow for easier transport, distribution and service of meals for students and staff. The location is also centralized enough that it could create a hub for gathering at different times of day. This space is meant to be for everyone to use and enjoy. The open space on the interior and the use of flexible, movable furniture allow for this space to transform into more than a dining hall if need be. It could be used for assembly, group activities and more. The impact of this space on the environment and ecosystems surrounding it are minimal. The use of a French drain system surrounding the buildings foundation allows for the excess rainwater to be evacuated from the area into a drainage canal offsite.
Design Intent:
When designing this space, it was important to be mindful of tree coverage throughout the site and to not unnecessarily remove mature trees that would provide shade or areas for immersion with nature. Because of this there was an opportunity to create a garden space within the building extents. Operable windows and breezeway walls allow for open air to flow through the space, while also shielding inhabitants from the elements. As far as being adaptable for change, the design of this space is an open floor plan concept, meaning that space is abundant and can be configured in any manner necessary for the activities that may be taking place (i.e., assembly, dining, games, group activities, etc.).
When designing this space, it was important to be mindful of tree coverage throughout the site and to not unnecessarily remove mature trees that would provide shade or areas for immersion with nature. Because of this there was an opportunity to create a garden space within the building extents. Operable windows and breezeway walls allow for open air to flow through the space, while also shielding inhabitants from the elements. As far as being adaptable for change, the design of this space is an open floor plan concept, meaning that space is abundant and can be configured in any manner necessary for the activities that may be taking place (i.e., assembly, dining, games, group activities, etc.).
CMU Coursing & Wall Pattern Study:
The basic materials used for this project include, cast in place concrete (for the main structure), concrete masonry units for the enclosure, timber for beams and girders, and corrugated metal for roofing. These materials were chosen because of their abundance regionally and for ease of access for the people in this community. The builders already have the tools and ability to make some block types, but by introducing new ones, the coursing patterns become far more creatively abundant.
Being in a climate that is mostly dry and hot, with the exception of a rainy season each year, the best solution for creating a low energy and comfortable space is to use passive building strategies. Operable windows / louvers and breezeway walls allow for open air to flow through the space, while also shielding inhabitants from the elements. Unfortunately, this area is prone to flooding during the rainy season, and gusts of wind bring in large amounts of dust during the dry season. To combat this, the building’s design maintains a solid 1.5 meter (minimum) high CMU barrier around the perimeter of the building’s floor plan.
The basic materials used for this project include, cast in place concrete (for the main structure), concrete masonry units for the enclosure, timber for beams and girders, and corrugated metal for roofing. These materials were chosen because of their abundance regionally and for ease of access for the people in this community. The builders already have the tools and ability to make some block types, but by introducing new ones, the coursing patterns become far more creatively abundant.
Being in a climate that is mostly dry and hot, with the exception of a rainy season each year, the best solution for creating a low energy and comfortable space is to use passive building strategies. Operable windows / louvers and breezeway walls allow for open air to flow through the space, while also shielding inhabitants from the elements. Unfortunately, this area is prone to flooding during the rainy season, and gusts of wind bring in large amounts of dust during the dry season. To combat this, the building’s design maintains a solid 1.5 meter (minimum) high CMU barrier around the perimeter of the building’s floor plan.
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