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Preschool Of Aknaibich

PRESCHOOL OF AKNAIBICH

BC architects , MAMOTH

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

ARCHITECTS
Bc Architects , Mamoth

PHOTOGRAPHS
Frank stabel, Thomas Joos, Kristel Pelliet, Nicolas Coeckelberghs

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Fes, Morocco

CATEGORY
Kindergarten

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

Text description provided by architect.

The preschool of Aknaibich is only 1 classroom, nevertheless a holistic architectural design, incorporating community dynamics, bioclimatics and a new vernacular style.

Aknaibich is a town in transition: the eastern old town is made of earthen constructions, sinusoid roads and narrow alleys, while the western part exists of modern, plot-based concrete houses built by rural-urban emigrants.

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

In need of educational infrastructure, Goodplanet foundation presided by French photograher Yann-Arthus Bertrand aims to install a preschool with bioclimatic functioning, as an extension to the existing concrete school building in the modern part of town.

After a workshop with the Aknaibich community, it was seen fit to be inspired by the old town, and hence to create a dialogue with the existing modern school infrastructure.

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

It's style could be called a new vernacular, inspired on local typologies, materials and techniques, while at the same time having a contemporary look, performant bio-climatic functioning and earthquake proof design.

The preschool of Aknaibich has traditionally inclined foundations of locally sourced nature stone, with adobe walls, a wood-and-earth flat roof and rammed earth enclosure walls.

The exterior finishing is done with a "tamelass" render, a mix of 2 earths, straw and sand, while the interior finishing is made of polished "nouss-nouss", a "half-half" of earth and gypsum to create a breathable interior plaster which diffuses indirect sunlight.

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Kristel Pelliet
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

The east and west façades which have harsh low-sun impacts are doubled-up with a cavity wall for insulation, while the south façade has deep, small windows and a big thermal mass, making the building cool during the day, but warmer through the night until the morning.

The north façade has been maximally opened up with glass doors to allow indirect sunlight to enter the room.

The classroom links to the playground just outside, which can be read as the playground for the smaller ones (3-6 years) as opposed to the bigger courtyard serving the rest of the school students.

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel

This playground has a pergola with playing and sitting infrastructure, which can be used as an external classroom for storytelling and other activities.

As a site implementation, the preschool borders the school plot, hence defining the site without the explicit use of compound walls. It is neatly located in between three existing argan trees, which are important to preserve in the quite deforestated new part of town.

Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Thomas Joos

By following the grid-like layout of the existing school rooms, the Preschool of Aknaibich creates an interesting juxtaposition of the 'new vernacular' next to the 'existing modern', maybe inspiring the way forward for future constructions within the community of Aknaibich.



Preschool Of Aknaibich
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Thomas Joos
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Kristel Pelliet
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Nicolas Coeckelberghs
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich


Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel
Preschool Of Aknaibich
© Frank Stabel


Preschool Of Aknaibich
Exploded Axonometric 1
Preschool Of Aknaibich
Exploded Axonometric 2


Preschool Of Aknaibich
Section
Preschool Of Aknaibich
Floor Plan

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