SEED Library

Concept, photos, videos, examples, construction



In 2010 the Architects Of Justice were commissioned by the MAL Foundation, to design a world class library for the MC Weiler Primary School in Alexandra, Johannesburg. The intention was that this design could be used as a blueprint for future libraries in South African schools. The design started by identifying the various spaces that make up a comprehensive library and designing each of them in a way that would be exciting and stimulating for children. These spaces, which were carefully arranged on the selected site at the school to suit the existing conditions and needs of the school, included a library space with place for books as well as audio books, study space, a multi-media centre, indoor and outdoor group amphitheatre spaces and outdoor spaces for learners to escape and read a book. This building could not be realised as it was not possible to raise sufficient funding. The Architects went back to the drawing board and proposed a smaller building, with a smaller budget, built from two shipping containers stacked one on top of the other at ninety degrees forming a daring cantilevered cross. Thus, the SEED was born. The SEED is not intended to replace the originally designed library, but is a semi-permanent building that can be removed and placed at another school once sponsorship or funding is found to build the originally designed library. The SEED is made up of the basics of a school library; a place to access information, do homework and read, and it represents the key concepts identified in the originally designed library, albeit in their most basic form. It is a working example of an exciting stimulating place that not only houses knowledge, but also, through the use of colour, shape, light and outdoor space, gives the user an inspiring experience when accessing it. Construction: Architects Of Justice (Project Architects), MAL Foundation (Client), Dymond Engineering (Engineering and Construction) Assembly of Video: Architects Of Justice (Editing, Production and Filming), MAL Foundation (Manufacturing Footage), AfriSam (Video Footage of Completed Building)

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