special honorable mention
[John Sajan, Deepika Amonkar, Sreyas Kolary, Sooraj Suresh]
Kottayam, India
The approach and process for design of Terre à Terre was greatly influenced by the philosophy and work of Kakolum, along with understanding the context and sensitive impact of the project on the community.
The following were the objectives of the design:
- Develop buildings as a community resource
- Facilitate community participation and engagement
- Ensure the project is socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
Based on these, our aim was to design a system, not just a building.
The following were the objectives of the design:
- Develop buildings as a community resource
- Facilitate community participation and engagement
- Ensure the project is socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
Based on these, our aim was to design a system, not just a building.
The impressions from excavated earth, used for the walls of the learning spaces, created segregated areas, for play, community markets, performance and community gathering, and to exchange knowledge.
During monsoon, the sunken earth courtyards reinforced with recycled tyres perform as ephemeral wetlands. Collecting Ground surface run offs and water from roofs helps recharge the ground water table; nourishing the earth, thereby enabling native flora and fauna to flourish.
Existing and proposed trees help shade sunken courtyards, wide shaded corridors beside classrooms and wind corridors between di"erent blocks, allow passive cooling through air flow between different shaded spaces and courtyards, while protecting the earth walls.
Using Filao poles as screens on external corridors allow for fishing nets to wrap over roofs along the screen; aiding farming for vegetables like beans, tomatoes etc, which also serves as thermal insulation for roof. These techniques lower Electricity consumption, which is produced with solar panels on the roof.
During monsoon, the sunken earth courtyards reinforced with recycled tyres perform as ephemeral wetlands. Collecting Ground surface run offs and water from roofs helps recharge the ground water table; nourishing the earth, thereby enabling native flora and fauna to flourish.
Existing and proposed trees help shade sunken courtyards, wide shaded corridors beside classrooms and wind corridors between di"erent blocks, allow passive cooling through air flow between different shaded spaces and courtyards, while protecting the earth walls.
Using Filao poles as screens on external corridors allow for fishing nets to wrap over roofs along the screen; aiding farming for vegetables like beans, tomatoes etc, which also serves as thermal insulation for roof. These techniques lower Electricity consumption, which is produced with solar panels on the roof.
The building weaves around existing trees and sunken courtyards generating di"erent spaces of varying scales. Peripheral landscapes are dedicated for community farms/agriculture, while inner landscapes are used for activities; engaging school children and community.
Woven Bamboo, layered with ferro-concrete and laid between wooden trusses provide ample tensile roof strength. Further, applying a layer of recycled tyre as shingles over ferro-concrete roofs, create a three tier roofing solution; housing fishing net farming and solar panels at different segments of the roof line.
The weaving culture in the community is integral; accentuated using woven bamboo roofing membrane and the use of Raffia and Manjak fabric as shading screens. Further serving as a vibrant decorative ceiling element; adding colour and dynamism in different indoor/outdoor spaces. As part of a fishing community, fishing nets and colourful canoes are used as elements supporting the function of the system.
Terre à Terre creates a sustainable learning environment where resource conservation coexist with culture, art and people moulded in Earth.
Woven Bamboo, layered with ferro-concrete and laid between wooden trusses provide ample tensile roof strength. Further, applying a layer of recycled tyre as shingles over ferro-concrete roofs, create a three tier roofing solution; housing fishing net farming and solar panels at different segments of the roof line.
The weaving culture in the community is integral; accentuated using woven bamboo roofing membrane and the use of Raffia and Manjak fabric as shading screens. Further serving as a vibrant decorative ceiling element; adding colour and dynamism in different indoor/outdoor spaces. As part of a fishing community, fishing nets and colourful canoes are used as elements supporting the function of the system.
Terre à Terre creates a sustainable learning environment where resource conservation coexist with culture, art and people moulded in Earth.
