African Design Magazine October 2016 | Page 36

C olectivoMEL embraced the lesson from “djemberens”, a cover that houses a “djumbai”. The cover houses the action of a child painting the tree that is seen projected on the curved wall; a child who discovers two distinct sounds when walking the steps with different materials; of four children who discover their reflection in the mirror and they laugh; of other children running through the narrow walls that resemble a maze and do not see another one that hides in a small niche; of two dozen children who are aware and listen to “The Silence of the Agua” from J. Saramago in the room open to the cashew trees. Mass and matter at the service of children, stimulating them. A garden space where bird fly and sing, and so do children. The project was developed according to the North/South axis in its larger façades, considered the most favourable orientation in order to control insulation. The spaces are largely open an covered, increasing ventilation and preventing overheating while the large sloped roof protec the structure during the rainy season. The kindergarten buildings integrate with pre-existing school buildings and promote the control of exterior spaces, forming the ground for the schoo environment. The project respects nature, integrating wherever possible the pre-existing tree and taking advantage of their shading as part of the project. Click here to read more