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
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) .
Architects: Sousa Santos
Architects
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.
