Oca do Curumin – Children's space
ATTENTION: THIS PROJECT IS THE RESULT OF A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS BETWEEN CTRL+ZY AND DIFFERENT AGENTS. FOR A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING, I INVITE YOU TO LEARN ABOUT THE OTHER SUBJECTS DIRECTLY INVOLVED: TOTAL ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (PIRACICABA). ITS REALIZATION HAS BEEN POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF: TEIA (PIRACICABA)
Background
During July and August 2016 we returned to Brazil to continue collaborating on different initiatives, continuing work already started and opening new fields.
The stay coincided with the winter holidays, during which many children and young people register and participate in the programmes offered by the SESC.
The SESC (Social Service of Commerce) are centres where, since their creation in 1946, a solid cultural and educational project has been developed with initiatives of innovation and social transformation.
We were offered the possibility of building a facility, the budget was quite limited and it had to be ready in just one week. We accepted the challenge convinced of the possibility of not only meeting the assigned schedule, but also of adding value to the initial proposal. At the same time, we were highly motivated by the opportunity to advance in our search and testing of low-tech construction models and systems that were easy and quick to implement.
The SESC in Piracicaba (São Paulo) wanted to have an “Oca do Curumin”, a name given to a space for play and for the development of programmes and activities aimed at children. In this region, July and August are generally the coldest months of the year and do not have significant amounts of rainfall. Despite this, during the day solar radiation remains at a certain intensity and temperatures can approach 25 degrees, so they needed to have a shaded outdoor space for some of the activities in their children’s programme.
The SESC in Piracicaba (São Paulo) wanted to have an “Oca do Curumin”, a name given to a space for play and for the development of programmes and activities aimed at children. In this region, July and August are generally the coldest months of the year and do not have significant amounts of rainfall. Despite this, during the day solar radiation remains at a certain intensity and temperatures can approach 25 degrees, so they needed to have a shaded outdoor space for some of the activities in their children’s programme.
We were offered the possibility of building a facility, the budget was quite limited and it had to be ready in just one week. We accepted the challenge convinced of the possibility of not only meeting the assigned schedule, but also of adding value to the initial proposal. At the same time, we were highly motivated by the opportunity to advance in our search and testing of low-tech construction models and systems that were easy and quick to implement.
Design and concept
We were asked to make the design tailored to the child and to stimulate his fantasy and imagination.
We opted to create not just a covered space, but an interior space, enclosed and separated from the outside, which the children could perceive as their “little house”, their “fort”, elements that naturally attract their attention, stimulate their imagination and invite them to play. The door and windows would be situated at their height, the seats configured according to their measurements. Adults would have to adapt to use the equipment, thus reinforcing the children's sense of belonging to the space.
Circular spaces naturally promote dialogue and interaction, we chose a zonohedral geometry, easy to implement and aesthetically very attractive. In addition, our experience with the geodesic system zome meditation yoga mandala space architecture ctrl+z allowed us to be sure of completing its construction within the extremely limited time frame available.
The equipment had to be implemented with easily removable architecture since its maximum stay in the square was set at six months. In addition, since it was not possible to drill into the ground to anchor the structure, we had to configure another solution to guarantee its stability.
For the structure we decided to use bamboo, a light, resistant, natural material that had already given us good results in the past, in addition to being a local material.
We needed a solid base that was heavy enough so that the wind could not move such a light structure that, covered in fabric, could easily be blown away in the presence of wind.
We decided to make a virtue out of necessity. For its construction we were inspired by Parklets, mobile and temporary facilities open to the public that are installed in parking spaces and are often built from pallets. Building with pallets allowed us to assemble them quickly because they are prefabricated, ready-made elements, and André already had experience in the design and use of this type of technology. The pallets were not only used as ballast but also as a design element to place the equipment in the space and as a functional element, creating small spaces around the central element to sit and walk around for the happiness of the little ones.
The bamboo and pallets were sanded and prepared so that children could touch them safely.
For the structure we decided to use bamboo, a light, resistant, natural material that had already given us good results in the past, in addition to being a local material.
We needed a solid base that was heavy enough so that the wind could not move such a light structure that, covered in fabric, could easily be blown away in the presence of wind.
We decided to make a virtue out of necessity. For its construction we were inspired by Parklets, mobile and temporary facilities open to the public that are installed in parking spaces and are often built from pallets. Building with pallets allowed us to assemble them quickly because they are prefabricated, ready-made elements, and André already had experience in the design and use of this type of technology. The pallets were not only used as ballast but also as a design element to place the equipment in the space and as a functional element, creating small spaces around the central element to sit and walk around for the happiness of the little ones.
The bamboo and pallets were sanded and prepared so that children could touch them safely.
For the structure's covering we have chosen a fabric that is opaque from a short distance, while it is somewhat transparent from a distance, allowing children to play in their "shelter" and at the same time adults to observe what is happening inside. In addition, small windows were introduced as an element of play and control. A sun-shaped skylight has been configured at the top, and fabrics of different colours have been used to enhance this design and that of the other openings and make it more attractive for children.
Once covered by the fabric, the double spiral structure is visible only from the inside, contributing to the dual perception of interior and exterior spaces. The spatial and functional program produced undoubtedly exceeds the initial requirements, although it has been carried out within the established economic and time frames.
Once the works were finished, the monitors of the “Oca do Curumin” program immediately took over the space by installing a circular carpet in the center and some “puffs” around the inner perimeter.
The structure's stay in the square is limited to six months.
At the end of this period, the SESC will study whether to move it to another space in the same center or donate it to a social initiative that can give it a new use.
Conclusions
This project has allowed us to close the circle that began with “the Tree” built in the Huerta del Rey Moro in Seville and with the prototype built in the Escala Local workshop in Malaga, whose parts, once dismantled, were used to complete the spherical geometry of the Jaula Abierta greenhouse. With the “Oca do Curumin” we were finally able to implement a Zome for complete equipment from start to finish, although on a temporary basis.
This experience has also allowed us to improve our use of bamboo and the self-construction of structures based on the zonohedron using low-tech systems and personnel without any prior training.
We have also wanted to work with pallets for a long time, as a construction element for the configuration of public spaces. We had used them disassembled, but never as they were. The experience has been very positive and we will surely use them again in the future.
This experience has also allowed us to improve our use of bamboo and the self-construction of structures based on the zonohedron using low-tech systems and personnel without any prior training.
We have also wanted to work with pallets for a long time, as a construction element for the configuration of public spaces. We had used them disassembled, but never as they were. The experience has been very positive and we will surely use them again in the future.
Future and Development
Once again, the Zome have shown us how easy they are to assemble and how they can create fascinating spaces. We are looking forward to the opportunity to build a model with a wooden structure and consolidate it for the configuration of multifunctional, habitable and long-lasting spaces. Zomes create circular spaces without intermediate supports and the geometric design of their structure is a decorative element in itself. For this reason, and for other reasons, they are perfect for meetings or activities such as yoga or meditation.
The assembly was carried out with the collaboration of:
Nicolau Jr., Tiago Giannetti, Carmen Blanco and Célia Carlin
and the help of:
Gabriel Zena, Gabriel Araújo, Giancarlo Vitti, Larissa Blanco, Lucca Rolim and Samira Miguel.
(photos by Tiago Giannetti and Ctrl+Z)
The assembly was carried out with the collaboration of:
Nicolau Jr., Tiago Giannetti, Carmen Blanco and Célia Carlin
and the help of:
Gabriel Zena, Gabriel Araújo, Giancarlo Vitti, Larissa Blanco, Lucca Rolim and Samira Miguel.
(photos by Tiago Giannetti and Ctrl+Z)
