nina maritz

· architects·

www.ninamaritzarchitects.com

Windhoek

International

School

FUTURE

PLANNING

GUIDE:

PROPOSAL

MAY 2018

Introduction:

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This presentation summarises the process of research and consultation which went into the future planning guide proposal.

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It starts with some statistics on the existing and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing site layout.

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It then proceeds with a step-by-step illustration of the different aspects considered and makes proposals for each.

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This is then combined into a planning guide map of the site, divided into phases.

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Contents:

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1. Existing buildings & land-use statistics.
2. Analysis of existing site planning.
3. Access, parking & traffic.
4. Boundary, workshop & roads.
5. Classrooms & pedestrian routes.
6. Sports: basketball, fields & hall.
7. Specialist academic buildings: main hall, exam hall, cultural centre

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What kind of activities are the buildings used for & how much space for what?

What does the open space consist of?

Built areas 5 468.17 m²

Unbuilt area 99 028.93 m²

TOTAL = 104 515.10 m²

EXISTING SITE LAYOUT

Looks like a lot of open space, but can it all be used to build on? No, a lot is needed for outdoor activities & represent circulation.

How can we make sure we use it in the right way? By creating a future planning guide which considers all issues.

How much space is there on the school grounds?

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STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES?

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1. Is it easy to get into and out of the site?
2. Does the vehicle traffic & parking pattern make sense?
3. Is there proper emergency, loading & maintenance access?
4. Is it easy for a pedestrian to find their way?
5. Are all the activities that belong together, grouped together?
6. Are there enough facilities and are they of the right quality?
7. Is security an issue?
8. Is there clear provision for expansion?

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OBSERVATIONS:

• A delightful informality, but no clear structure. Zoning quite rational, but unspecific with no expansion guidance. Lack of circulation hierarchy is confusing.
• Some inherent conflicts: vehicles / pedestrians, ad-hoc space uses, & zones (e.g. workshop/ classrooms).
• Facility shortage & many not right standard (sports sizes, toilets, etc.)
• Lacks full emergency, loading & maintenance access to all areas.
• Security a growing problem. No defensible space (users cannot visually control their space).

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What can be done to resolve these problems?

• Look at the way people and cars enter and move across the site.
• Look at the way buildings of certain uses are grouped together.
• Look at how buildings are used and see if there are ways in which they can work better inside as well as with each other.
• Identify and prioritise missing and sub-standard facilities.
• Create a planning framework to identify the most logical places for these facilities to go.
• Reserve enough space for each facility & make a phased development plan

What are the new or improved facilities needed (not in order of priority)?

1. Relocate workshop to reduce clash with classrooms, add staff ablutions to it.
2. Larger, improved cafeteria & tuckshop with outdoor seating & ablutions.
3. Correctly sized & orientated basketball court, properly surfaced.
4. Renovate & improve existing hall
5. Examination hall as per statutory requirements, with ablutions.
6. Sports hall: various courts, indoor pool, change-rooms, ablutions, stores, etc.
7. Correctly sized & oriented soccer field.
8. Cultural centre: drama & music teaching, larger library, IT centre, ablutions, etc.

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ACCESS

Consider access potential along entire Schepmann Street front.

PARKING

Allow for future parking expansion.

Move staff parking east (long-term).

TRAFFIC

Define different vehicle traffic streams for different user types.

1.

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION: Consolidate, clarify, improve accessibility & security.

“SCHOOLS”

Define individual “schools” to strengthen identity.

SPORTS

Reserve land for improved & expanded sports fields & courts.

SHARED CENTRES

Consider relationships between shared specialist facilities; & to “schools” and sports. Clearly define zone for shared centres.

MAIN ACTIVITIES: Consolidate & strengthen functional zoning

2.

MAIN AVENUE

Insert prominent North-South pedestrian walkway to link “schools” (primary pathway). Low-cost intervention: adjust & add paving, plant trees, add benches, low retaining walls, features (pedagogic sculptures, sundial, etc.).

CROSS-AXIS

Insert prominent East-West cross-axis to link shared facilities (primary pathway). Landscape similar to main avenue.

BRANCH PATHS

Add secondary pathways leading to specific facilities.

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION: Introduce hierarchy, define character

3.

COURTYARD

Add more ablutions, then create courtyards by removing central ablutions. Convert anomalous spaces to dedicated common rooms for each “school”.

PAVING

Remove ad-hoc pathways & insert continuous perimeter paving, with larger areas for work, play & teaching. Add new and re-use existing materials creatively.

VERANDA ROOFS

Remove ad-hoc canopies & insert more usable continuous perimeter verandas. Add new, but re-use existing materials as for floors. Differentiate design character between “schools”.

“SCHOOLS” IDENTITY & SPACE USE: Define each classroom cluster with a courtyard

4.

NEW ABLUTIONS

EXISTING ABLUTIONS

EXISTING

Keep PLC as is. Renovate existing hall to be more multi-functional. Replace kitchen-cafeteria-tuckshop.

HALLS: SPORTS, EXAM

Add indoor sports hall with possible 25m indoor pool. Add exam hall to prescribed exam authority standards.

ARTS & MEDIA

Provide a facility for teaching performing arts (drama, music, etc.), IT and media laboratories, library/ resource centre.

SHARED FACILITIES: Additions over time

5.

nina maritz

· architects·

www.ninamaritzarchitects.com

Windhoek

International

School

FUTURE

PLANNING

PHASES

PHASE 1

Start creating identity & install immediately urgent facilities:

• Avenue
• Basketball court
• Cafeteria
• Workshop & access road

PHASED DEVELOPMENT: Develop incrementally over time, allow for changing priorities

PHASE 2

Continue identity creation & next set of urgent facilities:

• New ablutions, classroom courts
• Move staff parking
• Extend sports field, add courts
• Convert old workshop

PHASED DEVELOPMENT: Develop incrementally over time, allow for changing priorities

PHASE 3

Medium term continuation, as funds allow:

• Renovate existing hall
• New examination hall
• New gymnasium & pool
• Reconfigure main parking

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PHASED DEVELOPMENT: Develop incrementally over time, allow for changing priorities

PHASE 4

Further continuation of identity creation, value-adding facility:

• Cultural centre
• Continue ring road
• Add further parking

PHASED DEVELOPMENT: Constant identity & zoning, allow for flexible additions

PHASE 4 Option A

Next logical phase:

• New 200m athletics track
• Complete ring road
• Income-generating development

PHASE 4

Further continuation of identity creation, value-adding facility:

• Cultural centre
• Continue ring road
• Add further parking

PHASED DEVELOPMENT: Constant identity & zoning, allow for flexible additions

PHASE 4 Option B

“Nice-to-have”:

• 400 m athletics track,
• Second large sportsfield
• Sports stadium