Chitika

Friday, September 27, 2013

Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Secondary School / Sousa Santos Architects

Architects: Sousa Santos Architects
Location: Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
Design Team: Jorge Sousa Santos, Bruno Ferraz, Patricia Costa, Ismael Prata, Sofia Oliveira, VĂ­tor Ribeiro
Client: Parque Escola
Completion: 2010

The new building is rooted in the slope between the two sports fields of the school. In the south end of the building will be posicioned the public program, the library and the amphitheater enhancing the relationship of the school campus with the urban fabric of the city. The upper level of this building is constructed with thin metallic columns that create a matrix in the library room. This columns end in a skylight creating an architectural paradox, a support that finishes in the sky. All the new buildings are supposed to be read as a unitary architectural statement. The construction proposes the spatial narrative and the formal choices contribute for the former.


















Solar powered floating schools, Bangladesh

solar-powered floating classroom, a shidhulai swanirvar sangstha initiative
elementary students living in areas of the south asian country, prone to flooding as a result of monsoons. in some
shidhulai swanirvar sangstha, a non-profit organization, aims to provide year-round eduction for bangladeshi
parts, due to the torrential downpours, schools are flooded for 3-4 months a year, providing an obstacle for
youth to continue their education during these periods. the initiative has introduced solar-powered floating schools
to tackle the problem, ensuring that children are offered uninterrupted learning sessions even during the height
of monsoon season. shidhulai swanirvar sangstha has developed solar-powered floating schools for use during these
periods, which drive right up to the mainland to pick-up students. each boat-cum-classroom accommodates 
30 students and is equipped with an internet-linked laptop, library and electronic resources, providing basic education
up to the grade IV level. the use of this sustainable source offers flexible school schedules - when the day is over,
students can take home a recharged-low-cost solar lantern, offering them a light source in which to continue study,
while women for example, may continue to stitch quilts after dusk to generate more income for their family. the solar
powered lamps are given to families for free providing their children go to school regularly, and better off households
pay a small monthly fee to receive one of the devices. as agriculture, finance, health, hygiene and nutrition. awards
winner . it is funded through various resources which include crops, fisheries as well as the conversion of kerosene
lanterns into solar ones. outside of education, the venture has also been advantageous in developing solar water
farming to safeguard food supplies, ensuring a year-round income for families in flood prone areas, ultimately 
improving the nutritional and health status of children. the computer and overall electricity of the vessels are powered
by solar energy via panels which are installed on their roof-top. outside of the elementary school lessons, the boats
also act as venues for conducting training sessions for the children's parents on such subjects the project which
first started in 2002, has since benefited 70, 000 children and is a 2012 WISE (world innovation summit for education) .

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Types of Structural Systems in Architecture

Types of Structural Systems in Architecture

1) Rock and Stone
2) Wood Frame
3) Steel Truss and Frame
4) Precast Concrete
5) Reinforced Concrete
6) Prestressed Concrete
Many different structural systems are used in architecture. The type of system used depends on the building's needs. The height of the building, its load bearing capacity, the soil specifications and the building materials all dictate the proper structural system needed for a building. In particular, structural systems have evolved to focus on building up as undeveloped land has become scarce.

a) Geometry
   - Planer, Curvilinear















b) Stiffness
   - Rigid, Flexilble





c) Load Carrying Action
   - Funicular, Blending










d) Span Type
   - One-way, Two-way











Structural System Elements
a) Beam and Column
b) Frame
c) Truss
d) Arch
e) Wall and Plate
f) Cylindrical Shell and Vault
g) Spherical Shell and Dome
h) Cable and Rod
i)Membrane Tent and Net

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Drew House by Simon Laws

Description from Simon Laws:
This holiday house aims to create a kind of luxury campsite amongst mature Bloodwoods and Cabbage Palms near the ocean at, Seventeen Seventy, a town just south of Gladstone and the most northerly surf break on the east Australian coast.
Living and sleeping pods along with a bath house were built in Brisbane, close to construction services and transported the 500km to site fully completed. The prefabricated parabolic roofed structure and decks were erected onsite and connect the various pods through a large central outdoor living and dining area. Aramax roof sheeting free spans the two identical, but reversed, hardwood self-braced trusses.

Natural oiled timbers and other low-finished materials create a neutral environment that along with the dynamic indoor/outdoor spaces, allow the maximum enjoyment of the wonderful bushland setting and mild sub-tropical climate. Rainwater tanks, solar hot water and electrical panels and a passive energy efficient design make the house largely self sufficient.