TYIN Tegnestue Architects

Safe Haven Library

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

SAFE HAVEN LIBRARY 

TYIN Tegnestue

ARCHITECTS
TYIN Tegnestue

YEAR
2009

CATEGORY
Libarary

LOCATION
Ban Tha Song Yang, Myanmar

In January 2009 TYIN invited 15 norwegian architect students from NTNU to participate in a workshop at the Safe Haven Orphanage.

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

The workshop was led by Associate Professor Hans Skotte and architect Sami Rintala. The most immediate needs at the orphanage was a library and a new sanitary building.

TYIN worked on a bathhouse, together with the Karen workers from Noh Bo, while the workshop participants put their efforts into the library.

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

The concrete base of the library is cast on a bed of large rocks gathered on-site. Walls made of plastered concrete blocks cools the building during the day, while the open bamboo facade gives a good ventilation.

Iron wood makes up the solid frame construction and serves as comfortable floor for the children to play on.

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

The bookshelves run along the concrete walls in their full height, and the floor is left unfurnished to give room for different activities.

The entrance, creates a comfortable buffer between the outdoors and indoors and divides the ground floor into a small computer area on one side and a larger library room on the other.

The most important thing to Tasanee is that her children are provided food and education. In the library the children at Safe Haven Orphanage now have a space to do homework, use a computer with internet and read books written in different languages.

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

The new building has also attained the important role of a gathering space and is frequently used for play, games and crafts.

That NTNU, as an educational institution, contributes to workshops like this is of great importance. It creates a unique opportunity for young, skilled students to engage real problems and make decisions with real consequences.

Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue
Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue


Safe Haven Library
© TYIN Tegnestue

TYIN Tegnestue Architects
TYIN Tegnestue Architects
Ormen Langes vei 12, 7041 Trondheim, Norway