SOUND PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Mpraeso, Ghana
The design approach was directed by the letters and photographs from the students and teachers who requested a space to protect them from the elements, while providing well lit and open indoor area to study, teach, play and eat. In addition to computer theory they requested an opportunity to learn about the computer in practice. Incorporating this information with research of the bio-region, climate, natural resources, workers skills and cultural riches we developed a program to meet their needs with a sustainable design.
The design approach was to honor the wisdom of traditional building
methods while utilizing low-cost, simple and regenerative materials that
local crafts-people could easily build with minimal outside sourcing. The goal was to weave a classroom of modern technology using indigenous materials and
methods to inspire and educate the students. The design will provide students with a day lit, well ventilated, functional space with several sliding chalkboards, a large stationery cabinet for solar energy storage, CFL lighting, a laptop computer and monitoring software. There is a covered patio for classroom overflow, rainy day play, sharing lunch or community events.
Sustainability is incorporated into all aspects of the classroom construction. The low embodied energy materials, such as, earthen materials for bricks and mortar, natural pigments, woven bamboo doors, reclaimed wood and sustainably harvested rubber tree wood are all non-toxic and regenerative, all potentially being compostable.
The lighting is primarily daylight from a clerestory window, however we also provided CFL’s for low energy consumption and a 200-watt solar array to power the computer.
We will harvest rainwater from the metal roof to be used for drinking, cooking and washing. We will also use water to maintain a garden surrounding the building to reduce temperatures around the perimeter.
The concrete slab is durable and easy to maintain, making it appropriate for a classroom in a hot-humid climate.
The large removable woven bamboo doors allow for ample ventilation and will aid in exhausting warm air through the clerestory window above.
These sustainable elements are also related to curriculum standards at the School.
Curriculum Based Interpretive Elements:
• Water conservation system
• Environmental murals painted on two cisterns
• Computer and software to monitor solar PV output
• Two monitors for classroom space and community space
• Cultural symbols and quote etched on facade
