Eco Moyo Kindergarten, Arkitekter Uten Grenser & Architectopia

In fall 2019 Arkitekter uten grenser (AUG), Architectopia and Eco Moyo Education Centre started a collaboration where the aim was to design and build two new kindergarten classrooms for Eco-Moyo Education Centre.

Two parallel and horizontal surfaces define the main activity space of each building - the concrete floor gradually steps down towards the existing landscape and the sisal ceiling extends outwards to all four sides of each building. The augmented space becomes a place of transition where various activities can take place at once. For instance, facing the football field is a set of two walkways that can be used for observing the games. The slight shift of the two rooms further generates a space that becomes natural to gather at.

The corrugated metal roofs on each building are a simple yet effective structure, the columns extend upwards carrying four rafters of casuarina that are further covered by slimmer casuarinas that carry the metal sheets. Its simple, uninterrupted slope opens up towards the predominant wind direction, the south. At the same time the sisal covered ceiling helps to trap some of the heat that radiates from the roof. This design allows for a cool and ventilated space underneath, the two roofs also slope towards the 2+3 water tanks that extend onto platforms that further help encloses the big open space behind the kindergarten.

Further the interior space is defined by two screens of sisal and three walls of “makuti” - a local thatch material made from dried coconut leaves. The screens provide some privacy to the classroom yet at the same time keeping some of the connectivity with the surrounding landscape, nature or bush. The makuti walls, on the other hand, protect the indoors from heavy rains while at the same time providing practical surfaces for furniture or for pinning up work.