Humanitarian Architecture, from Ethics to Aesthetics
Simon, Adeline (2019)
2019
Arkkitehtuuri
Rakennetun ympäristön tiedekunta - Faculty of Built Environment
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2019-05-06
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-201905141629
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tty-201905141629
Tiivistelmä
The thesis explores the field of humanitarian architecture within the context of extreme poverty through the design of a secondary school in Malawi, Africa.
The role of an architect goes beyond developing the built environment of the western world. Humanitarian architecture fills the need for architects working beyond their typical unwritten borders.
The introduction included here will explain the role of a humanitarian architect by expressing a common reason for designing and building in third world countries, with the values and limits of it being explored through the lens of ethics.
Certain general facts about Malawi are included, regarding the realities of the existing school system and mapping and works as a definition of the current challenges that are being faced there. The site where the proposed secondary school will be located will be presented, showing the values and the unrivalled character of the place.
A final, and crucial component of this thesis will focus on the design process of the school. It is a guide through the geographical background of the location and the overall concept and organization of the project. The technical issues, as a major challenge for designing in Malawi, are explored with regards to materiality, structural and construction techniques, water and sanitation, ecology, environmental and maintenance concerns. These are essential topics for development of a project located within such extreme poverty. All decisions have been made in order to reinforce the special character of the place, while considering the needs of the community and the realities of the project’s location.
The final design proposal will be displayed through floor plans, sections, elevations and three-dimensional views and will defend the decisions made according to the completed analysis, with keeping in mind the rich unique aspect of the site.
The role of an architect goes beyond developing the built environment of the western world. Humanitarian architecture fills the need for architects working beyond their typical unwritten borders.
The introduction included here will explain the role of a humanitarian architect by expressing a common reason for designing and building in third world countries, with the values and limits of it being explored through the lens of ethics.
Certain general facts about Malawi are included, regarding the realities of the existing school system and mapping and works as a definition of the current challenges that are being faced there. The site where the proposed secondary school will be located will be presented, showing the values and the unrivalled character of the place.
A final, and crucial component of this thesis will focus on the design process of the school. It is a guide through the geographical background of the location and the overall concept and organization of the project. The technical issues, as a major challenge for designing in Malawi, are explored with regards to materiality, structural and construction techniques, water and sanitation, ecology, environmental and maintenance concerns. These are essential topics for development of a project located within such extreme poverty. All decisions have been made in order to reinforce the special character of the place, while considering the needs of the community and the realities of the project’s location.
The final design proposal will be displayed through floor plans, sections, elevations and three-dimensional views and will defend the decisions made according to the completed analysis, with keeping in mind the rich unique aspect of the site.