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Atahan Topçu Architecture
Atahan Topçu Architecture
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FREE CUBE
ETHIOPIAN SATTELLITE, ADAPTIVE SCHOOLS
RURAL

Project Place:  Adis Adaba, Ethiopia

Project Type: Educational

Project Status: Competition / 3rd Round Elimination

Year: 2021

Team: Atahan Topçu, Oğulcan Suluçay

Building Area: 400 m²

Our Ethiopian Satellite Preschool system offers to be built on a 5.50m x 5.50m square modular grid cell to maximise adaption, extension and transformation of spaces for addressing the rapidly changing program needs of Abay over time. 

Freecube proposes a bottom-up design approach where freestanding, typical units come together to create spaces as being site specific with simple site decisions such as placing an unit rotating 90 degrees respect to the prevailing wind direction and existing sun path. This approach can help Abay to adapt their densely populated satellite preschools in different locations as optimising natural light and passive ventilation by utilising units tilted roof structure. The roof structure is proposed as glue laminated curved beams, on the four sides of the unit, to achieve a double curvature roof surface. This attitude is taken not only to break up the monotonous nature of modular structures, but to help support the curiosity of children by creating a playful and clearly unpredictable preschool environment.

Moreover, as in the example of the Hiddi preschool development process, using a typical structural frame system may enable Abay to transform an unit into a different program. To illustrate, an existing closed courtyard can be converted into a classroom by adding and removing locally manufactured walls which are used to regulate its relationship to adjacent units. These non-load bearing walls are dedicated to use of available local materials such as clay bricks, wooden panels, soil panels etc. 

The structural wooden frame system is planned to be pre-fabricated in selected wooden workshops across Ethiopia to produce fast and affordable satellite schools. Wood is selected as the main structural material due to its durability, resistance and capacity of adaptation in different climates across the country. 

Freecube preschools are designed to become self-sufficient. Therefore, pocket spaces are thought to be used as corral and orchard spaces. Besides, an organic waste digester system is implemented to use organic waste to produce biogas energy to be used in the kitchen. To further develop the adaptive system a grid of gutters have been introduced to channel rain water to water reservoirs which are embedded around open courtyards.

ş©2021 by Topçu Architecture.
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