‘mzamba preschool and grade 1 buildings’ by bauen fur orange farm, mzamba, south africa
(above) mzamba grade 1 building
image © studio mzamba

 

 

 

founded in 2010, the ithuba school mzamba in an underpriveleged rural area of eastern cape is an ongoing design/build project whereby several european universities work with munich-based NPO bauen fur orange farm to complete the educational facilities. the construction is executed entirely from volunteers, locals, and students in line with their motto: ‘build together – learn together’, implementing local craftsmanship and construction methods. having limited access to resources, the schools must function efficiently without the use of grid energy. basic principles have been put into practice while maintaining a high degree of designed aesthetic; the corrugated metal roofs control water shed and overhang from the walls shading the various windows and exterior verandas. concrete masonry units supported on a single slab foundation were used to erect the walls, providing the thermal mass necessary to help keep the interior cool. the walls are then coated in a locally-made earth plaster that seals the envelope and further insulates the structure. slender steel columns and wooden frame system constitute the roof structure – an economic construction strategy that prevents the structure from becoming too imposing. both schools utilize shared exterior courtyards that can be used as multi-functional assembly areas.

 

 

mzamba grade 1
completed 2011

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
small perforations in the facade are an easy way to make a playful aesthetic and improve internal lighting an ventilation
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
clerestory windows allow hot air to escape while lighting the classrooms
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
the overhanging corrugated metal roof shades the windows from direct sunlight
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
internal courtyard
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
entrance to a classroom
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

mzamba pre-school
completed 2013

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
shaded veranda
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
large windows extend views over the vast landscape
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
operable windows facilitate ventilation and improved interior air quality
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
leaves embedded into the concrete form work leave playful prints
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
classroom
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
bathroom
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
plaster finishing
image © studio mzamba

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa
construction
image © studio mzamba

 

 

 

bauen fur orange farm opens the mzamba schools in south africa

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bauen fur orange farm: mzamba schools
 
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bauen fur orange farm: mzamba schools
 
bauen fur orange farm: mzamba schools
 
bauen fur orange farm: mzamba schools
 
bauen fur orange farm: mzamba schools
 

 

 

project info:

 

 

ithuba school mzamba – classroom grade 1
client: ithuba community college, southafrica
location: mzamba, eastern cape, southafrica
program: classroom for primary school
project team: studio mzamba, markus dobmeier
realization: 2010 – 2011
realization team: “bauen für orangefarm” with architecture students from the technical university of munich and local workers

ithuba school mzamba – preschool
client: ithuba community college, southafrica
location: mzamba, eastern cape, southafrica
program: classroom for preschool
project team: studio mzamba, markus dobmeier and elias rubin
realization: 2012 – 2013
realization team: “bauen für orangefarm” with architecture students from the university of applied sciences munich and local workers

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