The SIDAREC Youth Media + Technology Center represents the future for the community of Mukuru Kwa Njenga. Connected youth = empowered youth = community improvement. It is a formula that SIDAREC has proven in the past, and here they have the opportunity to do so on a larger scale.
Photographic study of the area reveals a uniquely uniform building fabric: long, gable-roofed buildings entirely clad in corrugated steel, as far as the eye can see. By simply injecting more permanent materials into this framework and slightly tweaking some of the details, we can produce a building that is sturdy, bright, healthy and exciting.
Site Plan: The existing structures along the north wall have been replaced with a long, linear structure that effectively contains recreational space and provides a clear path of circulation. The large gathering hall and new trees help visually subdivide the playspace into three fields (soccer, basketball, and general play).
Materials: Compressed-earth block structure with reinforced concrete bond beam on top, and repeating wood trusses support a corrugated-steel shed roof. Where the roof tilts up, it reveals a translucent skin of corrugated fiberglass.
Rainwater Collection: Gutters carry rainwater to cisterns for future use (filtered drinking water; site irrigation).
Ventilation: Air flows through regular breaks in the building massing, keeping interior spaces well-ventilated when sliding shed doors are open.
Natural Light: Translucent corrugated fiberglass panels aimed at NW gather low light in (Southern-hemisphere) winter and deep eave on south facade blocks direct sunlight during summer.
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The SIDAREC Youth Media + Technology Center represents the future for the community of Mukuru Kwa Njenga. Connected youth = empowered youth = community improvement. It is a formula that SIDAREC has proven in the past, and here they have the opportunity to do so on a larger scale.
Photographic study of the area reveals a uniquely uniform building fabric: long, gable-roofed buildings entirely clad in corrugated steel, as far as the eye can see. By simply injecting more permanent materials into this framework and slightly tweaking some of the details, we can produce a building that is sturdy, bright, healthy and exciting.
Site Plan: The existing structures along the north wall have been replaced with a long, linear structure that effectively contains recreational space and provides a clear path of circulation. The large gathering hall and new trees help visually subdivide the playspace into three fields (soccer, basketball, and general play).
Materials: Compressed-earth block structure with reinforced concrete bond beam on top, and repeating wood trusses support a corrugated-steel shed roof. Where the roof tilts up, it reveals a translucent skin of corrugated fiberglass.
Rainwater Collection: Gutters carry rainwater to cisterns for future use (filtered drinking water; site irrigation).
Ventilation: Air flows through regular breaks in the building massing, keeping interior spaces well-ventilated when sliding shed doors are open.
Natural Light: Translucent corrugated fiberglass panels aimed at NW gather low light in (Southern-hemisphere) winter and deep eave on south facade blocks direct sunlight during summer.