Cultural Oasis
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The aim is to design an open-air school, in which the lessons would be able to be transferred from the inside of the building to an open, green space, changing the perspective of education from an obligation to a pleasant activity and reconnecting younger generations with nature. A layer is designed under which all the functions of the school are housed, while on top of it a new park is created. The park constitutes a part of the urban tissue and at the same time a green lung for the area.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The aim is to design an open-air school, in which the lessons would be able to be transferred from the inside of the building to an open, green space, changing the perspective of education from an obligation to a pleasant activity and reconnecting younger generations with nature. The initial inspiration was the design of a desk that will not restrict the movement and the position of the pupils' body and at the same time it could operate both indoors and outdoors. Moreover, observing the lack of green in the surrounding areas, which is found only in the square of Psilon Alonion and in the uncovered areas around the building blocks, a need arises for the creation of a new green space which combines nature with function, able to accommodate the idea of an open- air school.
In this way, a layer is created under which all the functions of the school are housed while on top of it a new park is created. This park constitutes a part of the urban tissue and at the same time a green lung for the area. This layer, the metal structure that supports it, and the lack of strict borders assemble an open plan.
The interior of the building is organised into functional lines (senior high school, laboratories, junior high school, libraries, theaters, art areas, sport areas, staff office, municipalities, primary school). The park is designed according to this pattern too. Ramp – valleys connect the interior of the school with the park and the whole city and make the building accessible to anyone interested to be culturally involved in after - school hours ,because of the 6% angle that all the connecting paths maintain.
Key objectives for sustainability
Cultural Oasis brings the natural enviroment back in an urban site that used to house a concrete structure, inside a big city of Greece with limited green areas. Moreover, it acts as a green lung for the area, while maintaing all the nessecary facilities for a proper function and reformation of the educational system in Greece. One main goal of this project is to take advantage of the natural topographic morphology and connect every single part of the building as if everything was already existing in the grounds of this site. A wide use of glass on the elevations makes the building more autonomous in terms of electric power and heat, on winter months.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The project is aesthetically pleasing as the main materials are steel, concrete and glass combined with a huge green area above and around. The decision to use small waves as the main design concept on the rooftop and not maintain a flat form came from the idea that the human body is made to walk on uneven paths and bumpy roads rather than flat valleys, so it is considered healthier for every student or resident that simply wants to take a walk there, to face an uneven ground. Of course, in this way we also created all the main lighting inside the building coming from the rooftops' skylights. Lastly, all the elevations that do not connect to the ground are made of glass and steel making the construction looking minimal and elegant.
Key objectives for inclusion
Mainting a maximum angle of 6% in the whole construction and in every single path and using ramps for the physically disabled people makes Cultural Oasis a place where everyone has access and can be culturally involved. The desicion to keep the activities space along with the park open to the puplic on after-school hours for everyone, provides accesibility to a wide age range as well. Last but not least, the idea of this project supports every kind of living being including animals to inhabit the buildings' rooftop-park.
Innovative character
The innovative character of this project focuses on changing the way that we think about mandatory education. First of all, the proposed educational system makes education a consious choice and not an obligation. Every student can participate throughout the day in the classes that make them feel more interested into and take a break whenever they feel tired. Their body position is not restricted by a classic chair and desk furniture, but instead the whole floor is an innovative construction in every class of this school that forms shapes around the students and professors with the use of smart sensors of movement. Lastly, having the activities and park facilities open to the puplic audience along with the library after students finish their lessons, brings awareness to everyone about all of the intentions and purposes explained above.
