The Melaku Center will be new center of learning, working and projection for the inhabitants of Mekelle, capital of the Tigray, a region of the north of Ethiopia. The Melaku Center will be a reference model of sustainable development in Africa, from the design of the buildings to the program itself. The whole project will be a ecosystem of knowlegde, development and natural resources.
- Geometry and architecture integration:A common parameter in the traditional African architecture is the use of the fractal scale: small parts of the structure tend to be similar to the bigger ones, for example, the circular villages are made of circular houses. The project master-plan geometry is based in a fractal hexagonal grid that holds the different sizes of classrooms and services. The classes are organized in small groups of three or four pieces that have the shape of a flower. Understanding the climate and the vernacular architecture of Ethiopia, the exterior spaces become the corridors of the school.
- Natural ventilation:All the learning spaces have natural ventilation from both sides and the porch to access them holds the solar panels that will provide the school of electricity. - Landscape:The landscape of the center will integrate local species and the students of the center will be the researchers and gardeners for the intermediate spaces.
- Solar energy:All the buildings of the project hold a photovoltaic panel network that will provide the center of electricity. Some of the energy produced will be send to the city.
- Water reuse:All the water from rain will be collected in natural collectors and this will be used for drainaged of the gardening and for services.