27 mar 2012

School in Cambodia






 








 

Sra Pou Vocational School

WHERE:  Sra Pou, Cambodia 
WHEN: 2010 – 2011
WHO:  Finnish architecture firm = Rudanko + Kankkunen 
MATERIALS:  Sun dried mud bricks made from the local red earth
FEATURES:
Hole pattern in the walls = daylight + natural ventilation
Bright and colorful handmade shutters 
Large covered porch creates an = outdoor community room



"The purpose of the vocational training centre is to encourage and teach poor families to earn their own living. The Sra Pou community is one of the unprivileged communities in Cambodia, who have been evicted from their homes in the city to the surrounding countryside. They lack basic infrastructure, decent built environment and secure income. The new vocational school provides professional training and helps the people to start sustainable businesses together. It is also a place for public gathering and democratic decision-making for the whole community."





+ info
Images ©Architects Rudanko + Kankkunen

earthen hand


Natural architecture
Earthen Hand

Social & Environment Sustainable,
 Healthy & Beauty




"Currently it is estimated that one half of the world's population, approximately three billion people on six continentsi, lives or works in buildings constructed of earth"
Ronald Rael


"Building the earth movement"
 Earthen Hand Natural Building

"Natural building is the realignment of our space and consciousness with mother nature"



GOALS:
To create amazing earthen structures and empower people by training them in natural building practices
 
MATERIALS:
earth + glass + wood + glass + rock

ACTIVITIES:

  • Cob Construction and Sculpture
  • Earth Bag Construction
  • Living Roofs
  • Round-wood Timber Framing
  • Adobe Brick Construction
  • Earth Plasters and Floors
  • Earthen Ovens & Fireplaces
  • Mosaics and Stone Work
  • Domes and Vaults
  • Passive Solar


WORKSHOPS:
  • Educational courses in earthen architecture:

    Natural building workshops

Oregon, Washington, California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Thailand, Mali, Egypt, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Madagascar... 

WHO:
Scott Howard
artist/builder/designer/teacher

Promoción del 2012: Off-grid Systems, Ferrocement, Earthships in general (Earthship Biotecture)

Promoción del 2001 (Whitman College)
 
 


"Scott Howard's most notable achievements have been; a 17 foot earthen dome completed in Mali; a 23 foot earthen dome built in Thailand; an ornate earthen cottage built for a local Portland school, exhibiting an ecoroof and eight stained glass windows by Scott; a set of artistic earthen columns on a porch in Portland, Oregon. Four other Portland schools also have substantial earthen works created by Scott, who teaches his methods to volunteers on most of his projects. Other works include his privately commissioned earthen benches, ovens, ceramic sculptures, stained glass windows, and artistic furniture."


“Our students are of all ages, and everyone learns a lot. Kids love playing with mud. Adults see the socio-political empowerment and utility of our techniques. Our international workshops assist indigenous communities by creating a useful structure. Participants of these workshops get a wonderful visit to a new country that allows them to interact with and give something significant to local peoples” 


“We encourage experimentation because it brings even more effective designs. It is our goal to create solid, artful structures that will inspire people to want to learn about them”
“I seek to create sacred spaces that inspire reverence for nature. The curvilinear and soft feeling of earthen materials encourages health and well-being. Nature itself shows us all the patterns that we might ever need to make harmonious dwellings in any climate. Natural Building is the realignment of our spaces and consciousness with mother nature. Our ancestors refined constructed human landscapes that never depart from the surrounding earth. Could the ancient builder have been more advanced than the contemporary?”

WHY EARTH:

"The choices we make today affect who we will be tomorrow."

Efficiency

Flexibility

Density (Thermal inertia + sound waves isolation + protection from: fire + wind + water + electromagnetic and microwaves)

Non-toxic

Affordability

Durability

Low impact

Low waste

Low energy consumption

Low water consumption

Little skilled labor

Minimal maintenance

Beauty

 
INSPIRATION


FAVOURITE AUTHORS:



FUTURE:


“Through our projects we will continually work to advance the technology of ecologically viable house design with innovation and testing on the buildings we construct. We offer the results of our research freely to all interested parties. Sharing information is the way we all win”.


PORTFOLIO:

Ahimsa Sanctuary Garden Kiva Meeting House
Philomath, OR
(2001)
Scott Howard

Features:
1200 sf meeting house
Tractor cob
This project was the site of a Cob Cottage workshop   
Scott's first Cob house



Sound Temple Dome
Koh Phangan, Thailand (2004)
Scott Howard (senior designer and builder)
Time: 8-week workshop 
People: 20 participants



Features:
-This catenary dome: 23 ft x 23ft (one of the largest of its kind in the world)
-A crew of local Thai builders finished the dome with cement plaster and tile. 
-The interior offers a rare acoustical experience because of its ability to focus echoes in the center of the space.







New Day School Meditation House 
Portland, OR (2003)

Architect: Mark Lakeman 
Builder: Scott Howard
Lead by Scott Howard and Joshua Klyber
Assisted by architect Gabriel Prost
Time: 2 consecutive years during the annual Village Building Convergence  
People: with the help of hundreds of enthusiastic people

Features:
-Stained glass windows depicting local landscapes,
-Woodcarvings of animals and plants
-Colorful mosaics.







Village Library
Tirelli, Dogon Country, Mali (2010)

Scott Howard 
Time: 2 week-long workshop 
People: Several local people during construction were employed

Features:
- Almost entirely made of earth
- It is a catenary arc, reaching nearly 17 feet in height.
- Serving as a library for many villages in the area, is a gift to the village of Tirelli
- First earthbag dome in Mali





SHOP:
Hand-made items by Scott

Ceramic and Cob Oven


Ceramic and Cob Oven


 Ceramic Planter, "Native Moons"

Large Vase


Mandala plaque