Offshoot Vaal Oranje Primary School
DOUGLAS, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
Completed: Current
SNAPP Team: Sonja; Patrick; Bruce; Sebastian; Claudia; Clare; Yvette
The agricultural town of Douglas has a growing population of children and a community in dire need of a new school. The Department of Education appointed SNAPP Architects to design a new extra-large primary school on a green-field site adjacent to the existing high school campus.
The site falls steeply from north to south with views over the neighbouring residential area, nearby Orange river and farm land beyond. The design is thus determined by its context, where buildings are terraced to accommodate sloping contours and walkways frame rural views.
Budget constraints and spatial efficiency are inevitable considerations when working within departmental parameters, however whimsy and dynamism were introduced wherever possible in response to the natural context and to encourage imaginative play and environmental legibility for young learners. This can be seen in the use of circles in the landscaping, the form of the main courtyard “hub” of the school, selective use of colour and playful arrangement of building and feature elements, such as the windows.
Much care was taken in designing the school layout as a cohesive whole in response to the immediate context and broader agricultural setting. The school hall is positioned to create a civic presence within the community and is available for use after hours. The Early Childhood Development classrooms take advantage of a large flat area at the top of the site with exclusive access and play areas in its secure position. The adjacent tall water tower, becomes a functional landmark in the town facilitating a gravity fed irrigation from the storm water channels throughout the school and contrasted by the sports field located at the lowest point of the site. The field like the school hall plays a dual function in the community, by being available for use after hours and with carefully considered access design.
Services and maintenance are essential considerations, affecting not only the material choices but also the unseen elements of drainage and structure which are specified for maximum longevity with minimum maintenance requirements.
Photography : Sebastian Meyer