THE BRIEF:
Architects from Adelaide, Perth and EIW joined with Perth based teachers from Scotch College, St Stephen’s School and Churchlands Primary to generate a design that incorporates areas for learning opportunities in trades for Matipwili.
Location
Tanzania, East Africa
Construction
2016
Architects from Adelaide and Perth joined with Perth based teachers from Scotch College, St Stephen’s School and Churchlands Primary to spend 3 days working in the village of Matipwili. The project was supported by the Australasia region of CEFPI in part and the companies and schools involved.
Planning took place over a number of months for the three days the team were to be in Matipwili. This process was based on Stanford University’s school Design Thinking program. Keeping true to the 6 ‘Ideas Forum’ principles established through the Mayfield Project, the team worked through the stages of design thinking:
– Empathy
– Define
– Ideate
– Prototype
– Test
Guiding principles of the CEFPI HOPE concept, observation and listening, established a picture of Matipwili rarely experienced by any tourist. Each day a banner was erected adjacent to the school and village council meeting area showing graphics and images promoting the themes of each stage of the ‘Ideas Forum’. Supported by CEFPI Australasia, these banners became a pivotal focus for the villagers becoming involved in the process and remained behind in the village as a record of the three days together.
The final design incorporates areas for learning opportunities in trades for Matipwili. The construction uses techniques prevalent in the village including the use of timber framing, concrete block walls, concrete floors and stabilized earth. The feature covered area has been designed with simple geometrical principles and to enable ease of construction. This structure will supply the below ground water tank, providing access from the community kitchen and laundry areas. Store rooms are incorporated into the training modules and the provision for additional buildings to be constructed over time is integrated into the site planning.
During Design phase the project already led to qualified locals being sent off for professional development in training techniques for instructing trades. It will be an inclusive setting for the women of the village doing laundry together, assisting in the community kitchen and providing opportunities for mat making.
