Final RARE Architecture - Portable Classroom Video

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 11

Here's a rough 3d model on how the flooring and its structure will look with the roof.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 10

Using the dimensions needed for a classroom space, furniture and human stature and activities. I've come up with a plan for the portable. The arrangements of the tables are in groups because aboriginal kids work better in groups and the dimension of the space above where activities like story telling are done is based on the class sitting down crosslegged on the floor. The area where the toilet, sinks, store and office is a movable 'pod' that can be moved to the end of the space, when all the furniture is removed, leaving a much larger space from the classrooms and can be used as a mini hall.

The problem with this plan is that the toilet's waste disposal method is not sanitary; the container that contains the waste under the elevated flooring has to be removed and emptied regularly.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 9

This a a joint my groupmate, Andrew came up with. It is the main joint for the highest point of the roof structure that can connect 8 trusses together. The lower part of the joint will be covered with a canvas for the outer covering of the roof, letting in the light while the flat rounded part shield's the interior from the rain. The space between the joint and the canvas would also help for the ventilation of the interior for the warm climate.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 8

We have decided to design the portable classroom for aboriginal kids in their primary education stage. Children there have had to walk from their village which is hours away just to go to school and back again. This portable would be located near or in their village for their convenience. The potable's design will be suited for the hot and wet/dry climate of North Australia. So the previous ideas of designing for a cold climate classroom has to be modified.

Normal primary school kids in the city and towns range from age 7 to 12. Some aboriginal kids receive late education, so the kids going to this class could be ranging from age 7 to 15 and above. We have decided to accomodate the classroom for 12 year olds, this way the younger and older kids can be comfortable in the space.

Here are some information of the stature data of average kids and movable furniture that can be used in the classroom.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 7

Trial model
Material: Sticks and plastersine
The sticks represent the structure and the plastersines are the ball joints.



The trial model was a failure, it could not stand on its own. However, we did learn from this that the structure needs to have a more stronger and stable shape; like trusses. The ball joints also did not work because it does not allow the structure's shape to be altered without breaking apart, so another type of joint design is in order.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 6

Book:
Engel. H 1981, Structure systems, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, United States of America

Examples of prismatic folded structure systems.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 5

These 3d models done on sketch up help us investigate more on the bending of joints and planes of the structure, especially when the structure opens up to have a wider space underneath. Here are 3 models with different materials; transparent, canvas and timber. It also can be seen from the 3d of how much of lighting the interior is getting.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 4

This is one of the ideas for modular flooring by repetitive components. It was supposed to have a joint system that can connect the pieces without any nails.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 3

Here are some doodles on the idea of making the supports of the structure double as water pipes, wiring and heating device.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms - part 2

This is a sketch of what I think the portable would look like on uneven terrain during the current process. There are rams for the children and some parts of the structure can be opened into windows. The entrance into the classroom is open with no doors. The portable is on an elevated platform here.

Project 1: RARE Architecture (Mod-5) relocatable classrooms

Earlier my group planned on working with the shape from the RARE concept as the covering and roof of the classroom. We decided that we would try using a ball joint as a connector for our structure.