Built from Kenyan earth and bamboo, the raw materials and form are void of any semblance to Westernisation- a dynamic environment with vernacular roots for the One Heart children to live, thrive, learn, and explore their rich cultural heritage within.

ONE HEART CHILDREN’S VILLAGE, SOY

SELF-SUSTAINABLE IN 4 YEARSINNOVATIVE MATERIAL USE | BAMBOO + ISSBs

OPTIMISING SITE OUTPUT DURING CONSTRUCTION

AQUAPONICS | FARMING INNOVATION

Taking material innovation and sustainability far beyond the norm of simply sourcing an economical local material the masterplan looks to use bamboo as not only a dynamic grown-on-site building material but also as a means to raise money to support the village through construction and far beyond. The Kenyan government is hoping that bamboo can be used as an alternative to timber due to save their vastly depleting natural forests. The fast-growing properties of bamboo (3 - 4 years for full growth) provide a savy architect the opportunity to stage construction over a large site in such a way that the bamboo required for each section is ready to harvest upon commencement of construction of each stage. An even more savy architect would plan to take advantage of the lucrative seling price of bamboo furniture, cloth, food and bio-energy fuel by training and employing locals to craft such items in the skills training workshop. As an example a stem worth 200 - 300 shillings can be cut into 60 cups and sold for 150 shillings each (30x the original profit!). BAMBOO GROWTH / PROFIT POTENTIAL:• 1 acre of land can accommodate approximately 100 bamboo shrubs• each shrub yields approximately 300 stems• each stem is valued in Kenya at approx. 200 shillings • = 6 million shillings/acre (AUD $80,000)

The lightweight bamboo will be used in conjunction with Interlocking Stablilised Soil Bricks (ISSB) to provide a heavy weight generic material for immediate use by local contractors. ISSB’s are an innovative longer lasting take on the traditional mud brick: made from a mixture of site-sourced soil, ?, and cement the earth is packed into a hand-operated machine and compressed on site into solid bricks. The mold imprints the bricks with a an interlocking form meaning the bricks can be dry stacked with no need for mortar joints - faster cheaper construction. once compressed the bricks are stacked, covered, and left to stabilise for 28 days- and are then able to be used. An ISSB hand-operated machine costs approximately AUD$1,000 and can be operated by two people.

Aquaponics provides the means for a truly sustainable food production system that not only yields twice the volume of vegetables as traditional soil methods on a per square meter basis but provides a steady stream of fish produce in parrallel. Best described in the diagram to the right, aquaponics is essentially a self sustained con-tinuous cycle, with the only intervention required beyond monitoring and harvesting / planting the plants being topping the water levels and feeding the fish with catered food grown in the system. Aquaponics can be readily taught in the skills training centre with participants helping maintain and expand the village system whilst learning how to create their own for home. The aquaponics sytem recommended is the ‘Barrell Ponics’ variation in which readilly available 200L plastic barrels are adapted to form an aquaponics system culminating in a built on ground fish tank: as shown to the right. The greenhouse incorporated into the site plan can grow enough food to sustain 300 people which, in conjunction with the multiple vertical aquaponics modules proposed around the buildings will provide enough fresh vegetables and fish to feed all permanent residents and boarders.

Bamboo harvesting

Dry stacked ISSB’s

ISSB hand-operated machine

MASTER PLAN1:500

572230305

BUILDING A HOME, NOT A HOUSE

ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY CENTRE

HOLISTIC, VERSATILE LEARNING

From being surrounded by those who love you to bickering with siblings (and sometimes parents) over who gets the best room; establishing a home environment is no simple construction of a house. This ‘village within a village’ extends far beyond passive design essentials and economical construction. Situated within a bamboo oasis the homes are not only provided with a living privacy screen, but also a never ending source of play and exploration for adventurous young Kenyans. Whilst the homes provide each child the means to socialise with their house siblings or cosy up privately in the study or bedrooms a strong emphaisis has been placed on the creation of a community culture; with a large grassy courtyard and central sheltered fire pit to facilitate nightly story telling, music sharing and dancing to drums. Even though they are no longer at school the children will never be far from a lesson in sustainability with the integration of vertical aquaponics screens into the home design; each child taking charge of a part of the system.

Provision of an active communal space with sole purpose of gathering the village community together was deemed essential to the scheme in reflection of Kenya’s strong collectivistic society. Extended family forms the basis of social structure in Kenya; the culture wherein everyone looks after everyoby so prevailent that it overides rules and regulations . A space worthy of such importance needed to be central to the schools and hall and provide enticing means for social interaction and play for school children and local community members alike - thus the community centre park at the junction of access paths was born. The outdoor space amongst existing trees within the homestead gardens is intertwined with bamboo furniture; seating platforms; and adventure playground equipment to encompass the needs of all age groups. All communal functions stem from this space: the epicentre of activity and interaction within the village. Should rain dull the premise of relaxing or playing in dappled shade the weather resistant community hall is adjacent.

Learning in school or beyond should never be confined within four stark wallls and a couple of windows. Successfull teaching best takes place in an environment that stimulates the senses - in essence that place one stares longingly out the window at whilst day dreaming through another monotonous lesson. Surely if the student is already in the place they desire to be then full attention will be focused on class material. This principal outlined the base design premis for the variety of learning spaces integrated into the scheme: dynamic flexible learning enviroments with strong connection to the outside world. The classroom module, as described above, juxtaposes permeable bamboo design with integrated vertical planting to create a defined private space that still maintains the all important link to the outside. Walls are not solid, nor do they reach the roof; they provide only the bare minimum enclosure required to facilitate a private lesson. Each module comprises two adjoining classrooms that can become one through rolling up a partition screen: facilitating joint lessons with classroom neighbours. Learning pits dot the site to encourage intimate outdoor learning sessions, whilst an outdoor ampitheatre between schools provides means for large group teachings and informal music showcases; additionally encouraging socialisation between ages groups. Defining each school is a contrastingly solid structure made from ISSB’s: a steadfast central hub containing all set functions such as the library and computor hub that predominantly require secure housing. Technology is integrated across campus with provision for projector screens in every classroom, whilst the integration of vertical aquaponics facilitates teachings beyond the typical classroom scope. Finally, future flexibility is accomodated for with provision for 15 additional classrooms, with the intention that the two schools operate as a singular shared campus that extends to encompass the skills training centre and hall.

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE COMMUNITY CENTRENTS

MASTER PLAN1:500

SECTION PRIMARY SCHOOL1:200

CLASSROOM MODULE

SECTION SKILLS TRAINING / HALL : 1:200

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE ‘AA’ CHILDREN’S HOMES1:50

HOME PLAN1:200