schap! 2009 - school and procuction

The first collaboration of CUAS with the NGO s2arch – social sustainable architecture and their Ithuba school-project in the outskirts of Johannesburg, started with a pre-visit and research in spring 2008. With beginning of term in October of the same year a group of 18 students started the design and fund-raising phase for a classroom with additional sewing-workshop and toilet-unit as of agreement with all stakeholders. 

The Ithuba Community College is situated close to one of the biggest township areas of South Africa called Kathorus, in the province of Gauteng. The independent school aims to provide secondary education in combination with practical skills for the low-income neighborhood characterized by formal low density social housing, corrugated iron huts and informal settlements. 

Main aim of design, besides the potential of self-construction, was to create affordable but comfortable interiors for the local climate conditions of hot summers and minus degrees in winter. This could be accomplished through orientation, roof overhang according to the altitude of the sun, natural ventilation and the use of organic insulation as wall-filling. 

In just 7 weeks of construction around the student´s holidays in February 2009 the building could be realised under the guidance of Elias Rubin (buildCollectiveNPO) and a local team consisting of parents and older learners.

Images and Plans

Plans

Technical Description

The L-shape, formed by positioning the 88m2 classroom and 50m2 workshop, defines a generously covered outside area for small group teaching and circulation for recreation during school-breaks in the rainy season. 

The load-baring structure of post and beam construction were carried out with doka – beams received through a sponsoring of the company being highly active building stadiums for the world cup in South Africa. 

Window stripes and framed windows enable cross ventilation and natural light from two sides, defining views but blocking direct sunlight from the classroom. The workshop with three big garage doors can be opened to extend the communal space. 

The widely available metal sheeting forms rainproof barrier of the insulated roof and encloses the building as a folded down facade. 

The idea to use alternative natural wall filling of light-clay was inspired by available natural resources and traditional building techniques. The alternative construction method of insulating wall filling using straw protected by a cote of clay, had been tested in practical workshops at the CUAS facilities. Through this full-scale approach different mix-ratios, workability and modes of application could be tested. 

The classroom is built with prefabricated light-clay hollow blocks produced in a self-built press and dried directly on site. These 60x30x15 cm building blocks are laid with clay-mortar and reinforced by a grid of steel and concrete filled cavity. 

Straw light-clay is an inexpensive material - renewable, non-toxic and and easily processed, requiring no expensive tools, machinery or special skills. Depending on mix and quantity of additive it provides insulation, accumulation and preservation against insects or fire within the element. The labor-intensive work does not need any special skills and enables the involvement of layperson of the nearby community. 

This joint construction phase of students, craftsmen, older learners and community members facilitates skills-creation, exchange and identification. 

The cultural exchange and understanding of local environment had further been supported through active engagement with the local community through workshops with pupils and walks and interviews in the Location Magagula Heights.

Facts

Discipline
Project Context
Project Type
Function
Care / Education
Other Focus
straw-clay
Construction Methods/Techniques
Materials
Other Material
straw-clay