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3.5.1.MAKOKO FLOATING SCHOOL
by jacques_23
3.5.1. MAKOKO FLOATING SCHOOL, NLE, MAKOKO, NIGERIA, 2013
Figure 55: Makoko floating school,Nigeria by NLE architects (Velasco and Strijland, 2013). 76
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FLOATING TYPOLOGY _
Makoko Floating School is a prototype floating structure built for the community of Makoko located on the coast of Lagos, Nigeria. The project uses innovative ways to address the community’s social and physical needs affected by climate change and rapid urbanization in an African context. The project aims to generate a sustainable, ecological, adaptable building system and urban culture for the growing population in Africa’s coastal regions. The school was built as the first phase out of three development phases to produce an interlocked and floating community.
Figure 57: Makoko floating school mater plan that is part of the second phase of the project (Velasco and Strijland, 2013). Figure 58: The Makoko floating school had collapsed a few years after it was constructed, a new and improved school was built in its place (Velasco and Strijland, 2013).
URBAN MODEL _
The intervention uses local materials and resources to produce an architectural design that accommodates the community’s needs and reflects their cultural background.
The composition of the design is a triangular A-frame section made from timber; the rooms are partially enclosed with adjustable louvres. A green public space surrounds the school, with an interactive playground below. The design further contributes to sustainability by placing Solar Photovoltaic cells on the roof and incorporating rainwater catchment servitudes. The building floats because the base is made of typical plastic barrels, which promote the reuse of locally available materials. The barrels are used as water storage collected from the rainwater catchment system.
Aspects taken and used from the precedent include:
• Making use and reuse of lightweight materials that are locally available, like timber and plastic barrels. This will significantly save construction costs. • Adapt local construction methods currently used by the community with added aspects from a professional architectural point of view. This will promote local entrepreneurs and preserve the community’s cultural heritage while teaching residents of newer technologies. • Allowing the structure to float and to embrace water rather than restricting against the water forces relates to the theory of Fahcry (2018) that advocates embracing vulnerability as the best mitigation strategy. • Lastly, the proposed intervention will follow the same strategy as the precedent by implementing a master plan to ensure safe future development. With the intention to supply a prototype that will stimulate and grow incrementally into the master plan, which is based on the theory of Nabeel Hamdi, small change with great significance (Hamdi, 2004, p.140-150).
