Inspiration:
Our focal source of inspiration is the meandering footpaths over the site, as well as the 2 containers in which the pitch arrives. The “Main Entrance” to the site was placed right over one existing, and the containers are used as perimeter trading stalls on either side of the main entrance to the Centre. To form the “Grand Stand” we add steel frame seating and barrel vault roofs to the containers.
Concept:
Conceptually we would like to see the main building as a container in itself, which is flexible in use and easy to extend. Important in all aspects of design is the multifunctional use of spaces.
Materials & Budget:
3 main wall materials were chosen for different orientations:
1. gabion walls utilizing building rubble on the eastern and western facades. Internal cladding provides the opportunity to switch breezes on and off by lifting or closing internal flaps.
2. on the main (southern) facade corrugated iron cladding fixed onto a 3m high gum pole structure, clad internally with 12mm rhino board, insulated with sheep wool, and finally,
3. on the northern façade the building is clad with a patchwork of off-cut invader bush droppers, tied into a pre-manufactured steel cage with fencing at the back providing both security and structure to the wall.
Roof sheeting is IBR and trusses are lightweight steel. A continuous steel frame serves as a ring beam to tie together the tops of the gum poles. Interior floor finish is steel troweled concrete surface bed, except in the “courtyard” where the floor is simply paved.
Materials that were chosen are low in cost but require more intensive labour in order to keep the budget to a minimum, but to provide jobs as well as community involvement and thus hopefully to instill pride in the project.
