Floating in the Sky School for Orphans
Floating in the Sky School for Orphans
Kikuma Watanabe
ARCHITECTS
Kikuma Watanabe
CONSTRUCTION
D Environmental Design System Laboratory
STRUCTURE DESIGN
D Environmental Design System
PHOTOGRAPHS
KIkuma Watanabe
AREA
125 m²
YEAR
2013
LOCATION
Thailand
CATEGORY
Schools
Text description provided by architect.
This school aims to help alleviate poverty in Shangkhaburi village, Thailand, located near the border of Myanmar.
There are a lot of immigrants and orphans in this area. They are so poor that they cannot raise their children themselves.
Wanting to provide a good future for these kids, we hoped that the school would be designed as the realization of their dreams.
One of them drew a flying ship. We adapted his idea, and translated his drawing into the architectural design.
The image was adapted into two main architectural components: the round, earthbag volumes on the ground and the other, a light steel structure finished with bamboo and a grass roof.
The earthbag domes are thought of as a "launching pad" that supplies the ship with the energy of Mother Earth and the upper steel building as the ship that is soaring in the sky.
The round volumes create a warm interior, fostering a sense of comfort for the children in prayer dome and classroom of earth.
The floating level above functions as a buddhist room and learning area.
A gentle breeze flows through the thatched roof, giving the feeling of being in a ship.
The upper floor connects to the lower earthbag domes through two openings.
Since its completion, the school has become a successful place for the community to enjoy studying, playing, and praying everyday.
The interpretation of their dreams into architectural form establishes a foundation to help lead the children to a bright future.
