a + r Architekten GmbH

High School Thazin

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

HIGH SCHOOL THAZIN

Ackermann+Raff

ARCHITECTS
Ackermann+Raff

PHOTOGRAPHS
Julia Raff

AREA
500.0 sqm

COST
90.000 USD, financed by donations

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Ngwesaung, Republic of the Union of Myanmar

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture, High School

Text description provided by architect.

The new high school project was developed in cooperation with the German NGO Projekt Burma. It is financed by donations and all participants involved are volunteers except the workers on site.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

The aim was to design a new building, which is not like the common school standard but more creative with a sustainable concept, which can be adapted by the locals.

The new school building creates space for seven class rooms and a faculty room.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

An important design idea is the central pavilion which links together the existing elementary school, the library, the headmaster house and the new high school building.

The pavilion creates a courtyard, which can be used by the whole village after school hours for common activities such as cultural events, village assemblies, open-air cinema, dance performances etc.

The two-storey building is based on a simple floor plan typology. The architectural language is developed from the traditional way of construction.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

he attempt is to build with local materials in order to embed the new building carefully into the surrounding area.

It has been crucial to build sustainable with ecological materials and at the same time to ensure a strong and durable structure in order to use the building as cyclone shelter.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

The school is constructed with the traditional 'brick noggin structure', a timber frame construction with brick masonry infill on a solid concrete base.

The pergola is designed with an ornamental bamboo mesh, which serves as sun protection.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

Suspended ceilings made of bamboo and glass wool provide good acoustics and create a warm and comfortable atmosphere within the classrooms.

Due to the climate there is no need for glass windows, only for shutters serving as rain protection. With their fold- out mechanic they function as well as sun protection.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

The timber louvers within the shutters and underneath the roof ensure an excellent air ventilation and prevention against overheating.

All timber of the previous school is reused for the new wooden framework, for furniture and the pavilion.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff

All bricks are manufactured locally, bamboo and wood work is produced on site.

The coloured pigments for doors and windows are from Pathein, a nearby city, which is famous for its umbrella production. The pigments are used for the ornamental umbrella painting.

High School Thazin
© Julia Raff


High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff
High School Thazin
© Julia Raff


High School Thazin
High School Thazin


High School Thazin
North Elevation
High School Thazin
Site Plan
High School Thazin
Ground Floor Plan
High School Thazin
Drawing

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a + r Architekten GmbH
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