Campus of Hope by Studio Luz Architects
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.16.07
The P/A Awards from Architect magazine are out; "Every year, five respected members of the design community sit down in a room for two days to determine the current meaning of the words “progressive architecture” and select projects that fit their definition." recognizing that architecture is "about community, and individuals, and the issues that affect people on a local and a global scale" You can see them all here, but we found the citation to Studio Luz to be the most interesting.
The Campus of Hope is is designed to ensure that orphaned and neglected Haitian children will not only have a roof over their heads, but will also have a safe and loving home to grow up in. The master plan seeks to accomplish this by creating a village-like setting where the children and their caretakers have educational, recreational, and medical facilities at their fingertips.
To prevent isolation, and to try in some way to lessen the number of children who might need the campus' full-time services, the facilities are opened to the larger community. The complex itself offers a lesson in sustainable techniques. Solar panels provide electricity for hot water. Hurricane shutters are made of recycled aluminum. And the architects incorporated local materials, including rammed earth and gabion walls of native stone.
Energy-efficiency diagrams for faculty and staff housing show cisterns for rainwater and a series of vents to promote airflow. ::Architect Online
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