REMODELING FUTURES - Towards flood resilient education

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

Apart from architecture being a subject of creating space, volume, texture etc. the problem will be addressed from a social, technical, environmental and an economical perspective as well. Since human involvement in nature has become a cause for natural disasters, the best way to resolve it is, by getting inspiration from nature itself. Simply identifying the logics of the environment and responding to it from a logical perspective will improve the situation. It can be pointed out that the problems in the social, cultural economic and political backgrounds are because of illiteracy, and the core of the solution lies in a good education system.
When the learning system becomes more innovative and creative through new methodologies, it can be experienced, hand in hand with the environment and therefore the system goes beyond the typical classroom education. This will provide the ability to use knowledge in a more practical manner and adapting logic's during a possible disaster situation will change the perspective of looking at the situation in a more positive opinion. Therefore, the floods would be managed in a more logical way, and even celebrated.

Aims and Objectives
Focusing on reducing the current flooding area of 300 hectares, into 60 hectares, the aim of the project is to construct a new building system that responds to the floods and constructing it from within the existing community. By doing so replacing the current resettling pattern of horizontal moving to a vertical moving system, which will easily adapt and allow for the continuation of the daily routines. And by doing so identifying the issues in the current education system and allowing for a new learning methodology. The ability to celebrate the flood situations rather than viewing it as a natural disaster but looking at it as an annual occurrence.
Improving the knowledge of mathematics, aesthetics as well as better outcomes of social and verbal capacities in students, through the education system. Increasing the learning outcomes in the areas of group work, and self-learning through exploring and monitoring.

Project description

The illiterateness in a community can be pointed out as a major drawback affecting socio-economic, cultural and political backgrounds in a country. It can also be a factor contributing to the poor management during a natural disaster.
Kolonnawa which is situated near the kelani river basins can be identified as a flood prone area in the Colombo district. It has been a wet land before urbanization and human establishments which has led to flooding situations.
This problem can be addressed through a master plan, of increasing the water absorption areas within the context which can be investigated from two perspectives, planting trees along the riverbanks and implementing new canal systems to divert and increase the absorbing area. In addition to this the urban concept of designing in cluster zones such as home clusters, education clusters, transportation hubs therefore improving freedom and space
Since the heart of the problem is the lack of education, the concern is directed towards the designing of a new building system focusing on the educational cluster in the urban proposal.
Design will suggest address the issues of existing building system in the context. By designing a new building system which will adapt to the flood situations.

Two scenarios
The design intends to address both flooding and non-flooding scenarios, providing functionality to fulfill the spatial requirements of each circumstance. General education in the school is revamped with proper organized teaching criteria and student monitoring to feed children with fundamental theoretical studies, which are then put into action via practical activities such as group works and workshops such that knowledge is turned to wisdom. During the flood season both learning as well as accommodation for local community are catered. It also enriches social interaction of children with elders that inculcates pragmatic knowledge, social knowledge, values and morals.

Learning form and Spaces
Typical classroom is evident of mere housing of student, but confining psychologically and ineffective in grouping. The form of the design is transcending beyond norms generating workability, interaction and at the same time, freedom. New materials different unique physical characteristics is an experience for students.

Spatial dynamics
The school should adapt to fit both flood and non-flood seasons and their functions in order to enable co-learning and co-living. Expansion of the building both vertically and horizontally is enabled to cater the added spatial requirements in the flood season. However this growth in the building is activated only in the flood phase primarily to reduce the maintenance of components. Also the increased volume of spaces makes it difficult for children as well as teachers to maintain the balance of academics and freedom.

The future aspects will be addressed in two phases such as, environmental and an educational aspect,
•From an environmental point,
the reasons for the rise of water levels will be addressed in an ecological and a biological viewpoint and it will be restored by these ecological and biological factors. Hence minimizing damage to nature, humans and the community.
Building on the concept of “grey to green” will increase the green spaces within this system.
•From an educational point,
Taking the theoretical knowledge and applying it to a practical situation and exploring the thinking patterns and complementing them with current global trends and innovative disciplines. Creating unrestricted, free and open learning spaces by the outcomes of this project.

Technical information

Materials and Technology
Construction of the building carefully concerns on achieving light-weight and flexible components such that erecting, functioning and maintenance is made easier while safety is assured.

Modularity
1.Building system adopts modularity to achieve the following.
2.Ability to plug into a main structure to ease maintenance and alterations.
3.Ability float on water individually while moving up with the water level rise.
4.Expansion of existing spaces in the horizontal plane.
5.Growth of new spaces (new individual modules) in the vertical plane.