Courtesy of BC architects
- Architects: BC architects
- Location: Merzoug, Morocco
- Area: 172.0 m2
- Project Year: 2017
- Earth Consultant: BC studies
- Cooperation: Isabelle Verhoeven, Bregt Hoppenbrouwers, Tommaso Bisogno, Christopher Weijchert
- Client: The community of Ouled Merzoug and the Goodplanet Foundation
- Budget: 35.000 € (VAT excl.)
Courtesy of BC architects
Text description provided by the architects. In need of educational infrastructure, Goodplanet foundation aims to install a preschool with bioclimatic functioning, as an extension to the existing school building. The building is inspired by a new vernacular from local typologies, materials, and techniques, with a contemporary look, performant bio-climatic functioning and earthquake-proof design.
Courtesy of BC architects
Plan
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The preschool of Ouled Merzoug has foundations of locally sourced natural stone, with adobe walls, a wood-and-earth flat roof. The exterior finishing is done with a “timeless” render, a mix of 2 earths, straw and sand, while the interior finishing is made of polished “nouss-nouss”, a “half-half” of earth and gypsum to create a breathable interior plaster which diffuses indirect sunlight.
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Sections
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The southeast and northwest façades which have harsh low-sun impacts are protected by tree or courtyard shadows, while the south façade has a cavity wall for insulation and a big thermal mass, making the building cool during the day, but warmer through the night until the morning.
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The classroom links to two courtyards, one on each side. Both courtyards can be read as the playground for the smaller ones (3-6 years) but can be used as an external classroom for storytelling and other activities. These courtyards are elevated due to the topography of the site and link to a bigger front garden giving access to the rest of the school.
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