DISCLOSED HERITAGE
School in the Marshes - Design Competition
Marshes, Iraq
Honorable Prize
2018
The project is designed to establish a connection with the past tradition of the community and to be context-sensitive. The water connection and the integration of the traditional way of living in this place mixed with the traditional material from the area had a crucial role in the design process.
This area once rich with water and life, now devoid of its most peculiar connotations, it is important to reconnect the relationship of daily life with water and bring this connection to the present day without neglecting tradition. The design makes the school a pivot point between land and water with introducing a small harbor that could help the villages around to reach this place through the complex system of marshes waterways.
A bridge between land and tradition
The Marshes School Project stands as a tribute to the heritage and traditions of a resilient community. Rooted in the values of the past, this architectural endeavor harmoniously melds with the present, reflecting a deep understanding of the environment and the cultural richness that surrounds it. Water, tradition, and local materials have been at the forefront of our design philosophy, weaving a narrative that honors the community’s legacy.
This area, once brimming with vitality and water, lost some of its defining characteristics over time. Yet, the importance of rejuvenating the age-old bond between daily life and water could not be understated. Our design rekindles this connection, seamlessly weaving it into the contemporary fabric of the community while preserving its rich heritage.
The school serves as a pivotal nexus between the land and water, breathing life into the community’s relationship with its surroundings. The introduction of a small harbor offers a lifeline, allowing neighboring villages to access this hub through the intricate waterways of the marshes. This thoughtful design not only renews the community’s affinity with water but also divides the site into two distinct areas, providing room for the organic evolution of daily activities and rituals.
Legacy in water’s embrace
The project’s shape is a result of the position and the surrounding context of the area. Comprising two intersecting volumes, one aligns with the north direction of the site, housing the classrooms to shield students from the sun and ensure comfortable study spaces. The larger volume, on the other hand, aligns with the landscape, seamlessly integrating with the elements that envelop the site, especially the land-water relationship. This extensive volume accommodates all the essential services and communal spaces a primary school demands. Furthermore, it fosters an open and interconnected layout, echoing the design principles of traditional “Mudhif” houses.
Our design philosophy shines a spotlight on the use of locally available raw materials and the indigenous craftsmanship. Large wooden frames, sourced from the local palms and trees, establish the project’s modularity. Complementing this, a thin steel structure fortifies the foundation, employing techniques reminiscent of the “Mudhif” local houses. This deliberate approach to construction champions sustainability and emphasizes the community’s connection with the environment.
The Marshes School Project encapsulates the essence of tradition, water, and context sensitivity, transforming a place once marked by dwindling waterways into a vibrant hub where tradition and modernity coexist. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of a community and a beacon for future generations to cherish and protect their rich heritage.
The position and the surroundings of the area generate two grids which have been decisive for the final shape of the building, which is composed of two intersecting volumes. A volume follows the north direction of the area and contains the classrooms to protect students from the sun and increase comfort in the study spaces. The largest volume is instead oriented according to the landscape and the elements that surround the area, in particular the relationship land-water. This volume is made up of all the services and common areas that a primary school needs. It is also a space that tends not to have entirely closed zones, to use same design principles of the traditional houses “Mudhif”
