KEMET

Project idea

VISION -A school that grows from the spirit of Aswan, preserving its identity and heritage. -Designed to blend tradition with modern educational needs. -Built with red clay brick and natural wood for sustainability and comfort. -Encourages a strong connection between students and their environment. -Spaces are naturally lit and ventilated, inspired by Nubian architectural logic. -Aims to make children love learning and feel safe and inspired. -Where heritage becomes the foundation of future generations. CONCEPT A design inspired by the land of Aswan, using natural materials and traditional architecture reinterpreted in a contemporary way to create an integrated educational environment.

Project description

Location & Context The project is situated in Aswan, Egypt, a region characterized by its rich heritage and challenging desert climate. The site analysis focuses on harnessing environmental elements to create a sustainable educational hub. Site Analysis & Environmental Response The design is a direct response to the site’s climatic conditions: -Sun Path: The building orientation and massing are optimized to manage solar gain throughout the day. -Wind Management: The layout is designed to invite "Good Winds" (North/North-West) for natural cooling while creating a barrier against "Bad Winds" (dust-laden or hot southern winds). -Natural Integration: The project respects the existing topography and urban fabric of Aswan. Functional Zoning & Bubbling The spatial organization follows a clear hierarchy to ensure a seamless educational experience: -Core Learning: Centrally located Classes to ensure focus and accessibility. -Social Heart: A central Court that acts as the main gathering space, facilitating natural light and social interaction. -Support Zones: Strategic placement of Activity Halls, Administration, and Services to minimize cross-circulation conflicts. -Access: Clearly defined Entrances that manage the flow of students and visitors efficiently. Architectural Solution (3D Zoning) The 3D Zoning reflects a "human-scale" architectural approach. By breaking down the masses, the project creates a variety of shaded outdoor spaces and courtyards, inspired by traditional Nubian logic but executed with a contemporary structural language. The solution provides a safe, inspired, and thermally comfortable environment for children to grow and learn.

Technical information

Structural System: Load-Bearing Walls The project utilizes a Load-Bearing Wall System constructed from local clay bricks, honoring the traditional Egyptian building techniques while ensuring structural efficiency: -Two-Story Buildings: Walls are designed with a 50cm thickness to maximize load-bearing capacity and provide superior thermal and acoustic insulation, crucial for the Aswan climate. -Single-Story Buildings: A reduced wall thickness is utilized to optimize material consumption while maintaining structural stability. Passive Solar Strategies To mitigate the harsh desert sun, the design incorporates Solar Breakers (Louvers/Shading Devices): -Strategic Orientation: These elements are installed on the Eastern, Western, and Southern facades. -Function: They are specifically engineered to reduce direct solar exposure on windows and openings, allowing for diffused natural light to enter the spaces without the associated heat gain. Roofing & Material Details The roofing system combines traditional aesthetics with functional layering: -Timber Support: The structure uses 20x10cm Wooden Beams supported by 5x5cm Wooden Slats. -Finishing Layers: A 7cm layer consisting of Cement Mortar and Tiles provides the final weatherproofing and durable walking surface. -Sustainability: By using clay and wood, the project achieves a low carbon footprint and ensures a high level of indoor thermal comfort through the high thermal mass of the walls.