LOCATION ::::
Site is surrounded by very aggresive and dense environment with lack of public space. These conditions are directing our decisions in designing the new building.
URBANISM ::::
The local context is used to shape the concept of the building, and local human actions are intensified. In this idea, street – public space and its actions is extended into the front part of the lot. This simple gesture is made to emphasize the public purpose of the building and to invite people inside, but also to react to the lack of open public spaces in slums. The front facade of the building is used to accomodate commercial facilities from the street. This commercial space which is formed could be rented and it insures the Sidarec's centre (partly) financial sustainability, as it will be used by a large number of people. The designed house is introverted because of the contextual and security reasons.
EXISTING BUILDINGS ::::
All of the existing built fabric is considered as inappropriate and removed from the site.
NEW BUILDING CONCEPT ::::
The ordinary house with a double-pitched roof is cut into two parts by a vertical plane. The parts are duplicated and moved to the border of the lot to form an atrium space in between. The parts are erected 1m above the ground.
PROGRAM AND BUDGET ::::
The initial program area of 240m2 was too small to host all the facilities proposed by the competition program. In the other way, the assumed area for all the new, substitute and improved existing facilities is bigger than the site and financial construction is able to cover. So, the new program is made by all the parameters considered. We considered the educational facilities to be more relevant than the sport facilities, so the playgrounds are slightly reduced and condensed. The main playground could be divided into three smaller parts. Outdoor amphitheatre space is positioned near the entrance of the building. The courtyard hosts various other programs beside sport – theatre, flea market, concerts...
ORGANIZATION OF SPACES ::::
The house is concieved as an elevated volume with a countersunk courtyard inside. Circular portico which surrounds the courtyard serves as a horizontal communication, exhibition space, and stands for watching the happenings in the courtyard. The intent was to ensure that all the users of the youth centre are able to gather around a single space. Service and supply path surrounds the building on its outer sides.
The house is elevated one meter from the ground concerning different reasons: to protect closed spaces from possible floods, to focus attention on the central courtyard, to make possibility for having water tanks positioned on the ground
MATERIALIZATION AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY ::::
The project intention was to show the difference inside the program between this building and the surrounding ones, but also to maximize the use of local materials and the local labour for its erection. The construction technology and the architectural elements are rudimentary. Building is not showing the complexity of the program that it is hosting.
The roof of the building is double layered, so it has a ventilation zone in between. Every interior space has bilateral openings, so natural lightning and good air circulation are implemented in the design.
LIST OF MATERIALS ::::
walls - concrete blocks / local (handmade) bricks;
roof construction – wood / steel (depends on availability and costs);
roof covering – steel sheets;
windows – mosquito net in frames, steel plate shutters;
reed panels – sunshade areas;
POSSIBLE BUILDING COST REDUCTIONS BY ::::
reducing the area of covered space; building in phases; local material choice
SUSTAINABILITY ::::
water collection; solar panels; financial – covered and outdoor spaces and stands to rent
