Learning from the 7 days Library Project: DOT
It’s very uncommon that I become too inspired by an architecture project, currently this project in one of such content which compelled me to create this tiny review essay.
I think when it comes to modular projects there is no introduction required for DOT architects. This Prefabricated school library is one of their challenging undertakings as per the sources. I was aware of this project through wikiHow open source architectural platform which is made in china.
The interesting feature about this project is that it was completed in just 7 days by a few amateur builders.
This library is an expansion of the preexisting Er-Tai elementary school structure in Hebei province, a rural region stricken by a high level of poverty.
With a strength of 1000 learners, whose main source of Library or reading space was in just an area of 45 sqm. And that’s when Dot architects decided to offer a free-standing independent structure dedicated exclusively to the Library and reading room.
Huaxia Bank opted to fund the library as a donation for the hamlet and was created by students from the bank’s MBA course. Since the students were beginners in the field of architecture and building construction a simple but effective design was adapted that had to be built in the 7 days span.
The DOT Architects argues that the design requires not just to be basic but also to adapt to the particular requirement of the construction process. After then they called upon 46 volunteers to aid with the build.
The design was produced utilizing Wikihouse foundation through which they downloaded blueprints and building material data of the simple yet straight forward appearing structure. This Design motivated me to dig into Dot Architects one of the earlier projects which were completed in Beijing while London studio Hawkins/brown used the same technique to build 21 modular workstations on-site at the former broadcast facility at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Anyways, coming back to the Library, the pre-constructed structure is assembled in a factory, where the insulations combine the internal and external walls. To produce a uniform section, once the walls were delivered to the main site it was easily fitted into frames as per the blueprint utilizing just 1 CRANE.
The Plan generally appears like 3 similar row buildings along with a protected porch at the entry. The Library shelves along with the public space are located in the North and the courtyard fills the center area, while the reading room is in the south.
Talking about the materials, the wooden construction system made it easy to assemble. It’s not that the volunteers did most of the labor. The School personnel and students helped with installing interior furniture and even the books were supplied by Huaxia bank along with other philanthropic organizations.
Inspired by the same module lately a Danish architecture firm utilized a similar approach of design for one of their projects in Copenhagen.
Isn’t it inspiring to watch people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines come to join in harmony to produce something like this? I immediately discovered that architecture not just ties individuals internally but also in the background. This is what we in developing countries have in common, we have room, we have great minds, and tremendous resources, It’s only that we need some appropriate guidance to evolve this kind of basic yet wonderful Architectural design. It’s not usually about sophisticated design mechanisms rich facades or even undesirable artificial-looking landscapes…. It’s about responding to the surrounding. A notion has to be something that suits the people who use it, not to impress the naïve individuals on the internet or Big heads skimming Arch daily. That’s how this system has to evolve…
Because,
Evolution is everything………
- -RUGAATHYA
