entokozweni community center

eNtokozweni Community CenterJoanne Thieu | Design X | Spring 2013 | Christopher Harnish

Mission Statement

The new Entokozweni Community Center strives to create positive leisure, cultural and educational ex-periences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Alexandra. It will provide

a variety of programs in recreation, arts, and life-long learning that the community needs and wants. It will build and uphold community traditions through events and outreach activities. Through collabora-

tion and celebration, the center will shape the community, creating an environment that supports growth and communion. Not only will the center itself act as an exemplar of sustainability but also as a physical expression of its educational themes, reinforcing the importance of active education while providing the

community with a new facility filled with resources that will lead the people of Alexandra towards ad-vancement and innovation.

Index

Current ConditionsInitial Site Analysis

Initial Massing and ProgrammingSustainability

StructureOutdoor Spaces

Details

Current ConditionsMain information needs per age group and gender.

Current Conditions

employment

local news

business

government information

social/cultural events

education

Current ConditionsUNESCO findings of the most important information needed per gender.

prices

education

employment

healthcare

national news

mostimportant information needed

unemployment status(out of every 100 people) 50% of women 33% of men

Current Employment StatusAs documented by UNESCO.

Current ConditionsThe lack easily accessible resources leads to low rates of em-ployment, lack of education, lack of health and safety informa-tion, lack of life skills education, and crime and abuse.

lack ofresources

Current ConditionsWhen asked of their current information resources, many an-swers included school, the newspaper, police stations, televi-sion, and friend and family.

family &friends

TV

policestations school

newspaper

where do you get information?

ages 15-18

dancing

gym/sports

computer education

books

life skills

arts/creativity

ages 18-24

computer education

books

life skills

ages 4-6

food

day care

computer education

books

life skills

arts/creativity

Programmatic NeedsProgrammatic and resources needed as listed per age group.

ages 6-14

dancing

gym/sports

computer education

books

life skills

arts/creativity

In the 12 years and under group 62% had

used a computer.

in the 13-17 years group 53% had used a

computer.

in the 18-30 years group in the 18-30 years group 57% had used a

computer.

Just over half (57%) of the focus group

sample have used a computer at some time.

Current ConditionsComputer usage per age group and gender

Technology HubHaving a technology hub in the new community center would give Alexandra residents the opportunity to easily access internet con-nection as well as other resources, such as copiers, scanners, printers, and other office supplies.

Alexandratechnology hub

copy machines

computers

printers/plotters

supplies scanners

The Importance of ComputersAccess to computers can lead to many opportuni-ties, such as gaining higher education, employment, and access to life skills.

finding informationemployment

computers

life skills

typing resumes/CVssearching for jobs

information about other countries

educationinformation about online shoppinginformation about online banking

communicationlearning basic skillsnew ideas

careerservices

labs &classrooms

classes

Programmatic OpportunitiesThe possible resources in a community center can create many opportunities for people of all ages. Many programs include career services, classes, and a day care center.

daycare

health infocenter

communitycenter

There is a need for a community center in Alexandra that addresses the issue of the lack of available resources for the students and community (including internet, computers, and job information). The

community wants and needs a center that has facilities people will use for arts, recreation, learning, and community events. They need the center to keep the youth away from harmful things like crime, sexual

assault, and drugs, and direct them to healthier activities like sports and dancing. The center will act as a community hub to house a range of events and resources that will allow people to connect to each other

and the rest of the world, including an internet café/technology hub, career development information, and counseling center. My program addresses the clients’ needs by providing a multitude of spaces dedi-

cated to a range of activities that will build the community and inspire young people.

Because the spirit of Alexandra lies in its significant history, I think it’s important to display the garden in a place where the public can view and appreciate it. Since many of the ideas for this community center sprouted from this rich history, I placed the garden at the front entrance so that it is seen upon arrival, before entering the building.

Revenue Generating Spaces

1. Retail - Local business owners will pay a monthly fee to rent out the kiosks 2. Gym – Small entrance fees to the gym, membership fees available 3. Events – Some events and productions (shows, movies, dance performances, etc) in the performance space will have ticket fees 4. Multipurpose Space – Available to rent 5. Tech Hub – Small fee to use internet and various machines (copiers, scanners, etc) 6. Day Care – Fee depending on number of hours the child will be in daycare

Revenue Generating Food Gardens

Initial Site Diagrams

Through research and site analysis, I have found information pertaining to site context about surround-ing buildings, site conditions, circulation and traffic, and materials. Because the site is in an area that is surrounded by traffic – both pedestrian and vehicular – on three sides, I wanted to address the different street conditions and allow this information to inform the environment on the site. The site is in a promi-nent location, so I want the site to open outwards, allowing and inviting people to enter – while still maintaining a proficient security system – and have a permeability that forms outdoor spaces, allowing the center to breathe. Within the site I want the center to have a high level of visibility and openness, con-necting interior and exterior spaces and blurring the hard line between the two.

EDUCATION

RETAIL

ATHLETICS

COMMUNITY

Initial Massing Diagrams

Footprint

Footprint + Garden

Initial Massing

COURTYARD/GARDENS

daycaregym

librarytechnology hub

retailgardens

labs (sewinlabs (sewing, art)kitchendining

classroomscounceling

healthliving quarters

offiofficesmultipurpose

RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL

DAYCAREKITCHEN

GARDEN

OFFICE OFFICELIVING

QUARTERS

DINING

MULTIPURPOSE

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

LAB 1 LAB 2

LIBRARY

TECH HUB

GYM

HEALTH

COUNCELLING

MAIN COURTYARD

daycaregym


retailgardens





DAYCARE KITCHEN

PARKING

GARDEN

GARDEN

GARDEN OF HONOR RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL

OFFICEOFFICEOFFICE

DINING

MULTIPURPOSE/PERFORMANCE

SPACE

COUNCELINGHEALTH CAREER

CLASSROOMCLASSROOMCLASSROOM

LIBRARYTECH HUB

GYM

COURTYARD/GARDENS

daycaregym


retailgardens





RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL

DAYCARE

PARKINGKITCHEN

GARDEN

GARDEN

GARDEN OF HONOR

DINING

MULTIPURPOSE/PERFORMANCE

SPACE

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

OFFICE

OFFICE

OFFICELIBRARY

TECH HUB

GYM

HEALTH

COUNCELLING

Initial Program/Bubble Diagrams

Initial Massing

Scale

Project numberDateDrawn byChecked by

www.autodesk.com/revit

3/7/

2013

10:

28:5

5 P

M

A-113Unnamed

0001OwnerEntokozweni CommunityCenter JANUARY 2013

AuthorChecker

No. Description Date

Scale

Project numberDateDrawn byChecked by

www.autodesk.com/revit

3/7/

2013

10:

28:5

5 P

M

A-113Unnamed

0001OwnerEntokozweni CommunityCenter JANUARY 2013

AuthorChecker

No. Description Date

Open Courtyard for Outdoor Community Activities

Massing Perspective

Massing Perspective

Massing Perspective

Sustainability Features

I used passive strategies that will allow the building to warm and cool as needed throughout the year. Clerestory windows and skylights will be incorporated to maximize day lighting, orienting them purpose-fully to make best use of solar strategies. Operable windows will cool the building through cross ventila-tion. Rain barrels will harvest rainwater collected on the roofs to water the ground gardens. A system of operable perforated metal panels clad all facades of the buildings, allowing the users to customize their spaces. The panels open vertically, creating flexible spaces that can open up towards the courtyards, al-lowing for more opportunities for various activities. The panels also shade the northern facades as while as lets light penetrate through to lighten the spaces.

Skin System Precedents/Inspiration

Courtyard - December Sun Coverage

Courtyard - June Sun Coverage

Water Collection Ventilation

Initial SketchInitial Sketch

Front facade (retail) with operable metal panels

Sun angles with perforated panels Sun angles with perforated panelsWater collection on roof garden - water barrels

Structure

Initial structural grid sketch

Initial structural grid sketch

Outdoor Spaces1. Formal – Garden of Honor – A dedicated gar-den that serves to commemorate the historical figures of Alexandra. Located on the Southwest corner of the site.

2. Casual – Pockets – Semi enclosed outdoor “pockets” that people can hang out, sit, and eat in. The pockets are scattered around, each creat-ing a node on the site. A pathway connects them all. Anyone can use them.

3. Production – Food garden – Roof gardens lo-cated on the second floor that serve 50 students 4. Playground – A dedicated outdoor area for the children in the ECD center.

West Courtyard

Program Progression First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

East Section

Details

Panel Connection at Beam

Multipurpose Room

Section Cut through west courtyard

East Facade - Parking lot and roof garden

South Elevation (London Road)

There will be three gates - one on 12th Street, one on London Road, and one on 13th Street. The gate on London Road is where business people and the public enter. The gates on 12th Street and 13th Street are where students from surrounding schools enter. There will also be through traffic in the back to and from the 12th Street and 13th Street entrances, so that students will not have to walk along the busy road.