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Emthonjeni foundation school
Emthonjeni foundation school
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Other Projects by Architecture for a change - A4AC Architects
Emthonjeni foundation school
Type
STATUS
Concept
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
BUDGET
$500K - 1M
Located in the dense informal settlement of Zandspruit, the Emthonjeni Foundation School proposal re-imagines the standard classroom block. Moving beyond the "container classroom" model often seen in developing contexts, A4AC Architects proposed a permanent, high-performance structure that acts as a "Third Teacher." The design premise is simple yet radical: the building itself should be a tool for learning, fostering the natural curiosity of children through exploration and play.
Design Concept: The School as a Playground
Drawing on child psychology research, the building’s facade is designed to be inhabited, not just observed. The elevation features a stepped, jagged profile that creates varied nooks and crannies. These architectural interventions serve a dual purpose:
Pedagogical: They create "break-out" spaces for small groups or solitary reading, allowing children to claim ownership of the space.
Physical: The recesses act as climbing structures and seating, physically engaging the students’ motor skills during break times. Colorful alcoves in primary red, yellow, and blue puncture the grey texture, acting as wayfinding beacons for the young users.
Technical Innovation: Passive Cooling "Heat Stacks"
Given the resource constraints of Zandspruit, the building had to be climatically self-sufficient. A4AC developed a sophisticated passive cooling system visible in the building's section:
The Heat Stack Effect: A double-volume void acts as a thermal chimney. As hot air rises from the classroom, it is drawn up into the roof cavity and exhausted through high-level vents.
The Venturi Effect: The roof geometry is angled to accelerate wind flow over the top, creating negative pressure that sucks stale air out of the "Heat Stack".
Material Efficiency: The roof utilizes a "white reflective surface" to bounce harsh solar radiation away before it penetrates the interior, while a translucent polycarbonate skin admits soft, diffused daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Security & Materiality
In an informal settlement context, security is paramount. The design navigates this by lifting the windows high up under the eaves. This placement prevents vandalism and burglary while still allowing deep light penetration and cross-ventilation. The structure utilizes a robust steel truss system and modular wall panels, ensuring durability and ease of assembly in a logistically challenging site.
Design Concept: The School as a Playground
Drawing on child psychology research, the building’s facade is designed to be inhabited, not just observed. The elevation features a stepped, jagged profile that creates varied nooks and crannies. These architectural interventions serve a dual purpose:
Pedagogical: They create "break-out" spaces for small groups or solitary reading, allowing children to claim ownership of the space.
Physical: The recesses act as climbing structures and seating, physically engaging the students’ motor skills during break times. Colorful alcoves in primary red, yellow, and blue puncture the grey texture, acting as wayfinding beacons for the young users.
Technical Innovation: Passive Cooling "Heat Stacks"
Given the resource constraints of Zandspruit, the building had to be climatically self-sufficient. A4AC developed a sophisticated passive cooling system visible in the building's section:
The Heat Stack Effect: A double-volume void acts as a thermal chimney. As hot air rises from the classroom, it is drawn up into the roof cavity and exhausted through high-level vents.
The Venturi Effect: The roof geometry is angled to accelerate wind flow over the top, creating negative pressure that sucks stale air out of the "Heat Stack".
Material Efficiency: The roof utilizes a "white reflective surface" to bounce harsh solar radiation away before it penetrates the interior, while a translucent polycarbonate skin admits soft, diffused daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Security & Materiality
In an informal settlement context, security is paramount. The design navigates this by lifting the windows high up under the eaves. This placement prevents vandalism and burglary while still allowing deep light penetration and cross-ventilation. The structure utilizes a robust steel truss system and modular wall panels, ensuring durability and ease of assembly in a logistically challenging site.
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