Team 1 Concept

VISION:
Our vision is based on the four guiding principles of the computer clubhouse's learning approach. We support learning and applying process through design via technological and digital materials. We aimed to help people build and develop their own interests in an environment of respect and trust.

CONCEPT:
Our starting point of design was "lego". When you have three pieces of lego, you have many different combinations. On the other hand, when you add a 'Port' to these legos, you have infinite combinations. Through this thought, we decided to design our computer clubhouse with a 'port' and many mobile units. Aim of this design is to combine local -'Port'- and global - port_ables-. In local -'Port'-, local materials are tried to be used efficiently with technological components. In global -port_able-, highly industrialized, technological components are used.

Our design has two main parts. 'Port' is the permanent element of the computer clubhouse. The purpose of the 'Port' is to be a plug-in for mobile units. The 'Port' is also storage for all computer clubhouse components. Different collages of the portable units around the 'Port' generate different relationships to the exterior environment including the integration of verandas, pathways, and courtyards into the port.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN:
Dimensions of the 'Port' are 8.00 x 23.50 x 6.50 m. The 'Port' is self-sufficient. There are photovoltaic panels on the roof. The roof structure has two unconnected layers. Ventilation is generated by the space created between these two layers. Also, 'Port' has 15cm raised platform from the ground level to create an air exchange channel for ventilation.

Both on north and south façades of the 'Port', there are different layers for different purposes and climatic needs (if it is hot, a panel with pores can be used, on the other hand, for cold climates a panel with heating insulation should be used). These layers can move through the rails on both sides of the 'Port'. According to the weather conditions, many combinations can be created. 'Port' [permanent unit] and the mobile units [port_ables] are easily manufactured, have demountable parts, and have components for different climatic conditions. Layer materials depend on environmental, climatic, site and orientation data. Suitable layer components should be selected according to these data. Opaque, transparent, translucent, textile, bamboo, timber, glass, and local materials are used as layers. In addition, on the horizontal surfaces coral stone is used for locality. Photovoltaic panels are alternative energy devices and shading elements of the 'Port'. East direction is the entrance façade of the 'Port'. West direction of the 'Port' is designed for core functions such as storage of demounted mobile units and façade layers.

There is a catwalk inside the 'Port' to see the working area at different view angles. It will help people to feel what is going on at the 'port' and they can inspire from the atmosphere of the place. Also the catwalk can be used as an exhibition space.

A dimension of the basic mobile unit is 1.20 x 1.20 x 2.50m. Each infrastructure determines the usage of each mobile unit. There are wood working unit, audio & video editing lab unit, fabrication lab, crafts unit, kitchen unit, wc unit, library unit, storage unit, administration unit, and exhibition unit. Units can be combined together for different kind of needs and also they can be used for individual, shared or communal activities. Additionally, people can sit on and work on with their laptops at top of the mobile units. There are no limitations for working areas. Also, the 'Port' itself is the verandah, courtyard, and restroom.

Interior objects of the [port_able] project are mobile too. We aimed to design a dynamic and total space. For this purpose, we decided to use mobile, light and flexible elements to support the concept of the project.

Mobile units are also self-sufficient like 'Port'. They provide their own energies. There are plug-in points at the 'Port'. Via these plug-in points, mobile units can charge themselves. Also, units can be used as plug-in mode at the 'Port'. According to the program, mobile units can travel to other educational institutions and settlements at Kenya or other countries. [port_able] is a global project. Demountable parts can be stored together and be sent to other countries by every kind of transportation ways. Although the port_ables can go anywhere in the academy with their wheels, in some certain conditions very simply manufactured lifts can be used. These lifts will help mobile units to go to upper levels of academy. Courtyards, pavilion area, library, junior academy and its playground, senior academy and its lab, garden are some possible locations for port_ables.

Team 2 Concept

Vision of Computer Clubhouse
The computer clubhouse aims to build an innovative, creative environment for young people where they will discover their own interests, will learn by designing and will be inspired to use technology. They will interact with other youths and in a collaborative atmosphere, try to build digital models as well as analog models working with wood and craft tools. Therefore, the computer clubhouse should be easily accessible, inviting and inspirational. The computer clubhouse as "symbiosis group" proposes, brings innovation to a traditional environment, forming of transforming and flowing spaces with flexible interiors.

Concepts
SYMBIOSIS:
Dual existence of harmonious units. Continuous interaction between two contrast workspaces; DIGITAL & ANALOG. Analog workspace reflects a continuous spectrum of traditional handcrafts, while digital workspace is the reflection of the contemporary creation methods. Therefore, the digital modeling process is a dissection at certain points in the continuos flow of traditional crafts activities. If these dissection points can form a continuous interaction between traditional crafts and contemporary media, than computer clubhouse has reached its destination!

Design Principles
-Innovation in a traditional environment
-Transforming and flowing spaces
-Inspirational and inviting design
-Flexible interiors and detachable interior components.
"Symbiosis" design forms of HARD & SOFT components.
Hard components are tangible units: STABLE & MOBILE

STABLE: Heavy, solid spaces that define creative activities which require fixed equipment. Stable units have:
-Focus points: Gathering point
-Transition parts: To perceive visual continuity, a vision
-Total space: Flexible space without any boundaries for different activities
-Eye sight: Visual continuity
There are two stable units: One for digital modeling where occupants can learn to use computers, do video-audio editing, other for wood cutting, fabrication and arts and crafts activities.

MOBILE: Light, movable, detachable, multipurpose interior units.
Sliding doors that provide interaction between outside and inside, foldable panels that help define workspaces inside total space, movable panels that define different workspaces as well as serve as exhibition units. Soft components are intangible things such as trees like bamboo, coconut, coral stones, grass, timber, vertical and slanted surfaces such as decorative wall, bamboo thatch fence, and color. These components do not create a space but they contribute to the total space by creating a shade, adding a texture, forming a boundary, etc. There are spatial relations between stable units; pathway, verandah, and courtyard.

COURTYARD: The open space that enhances creativity of the stable units (via) the interaction of different activities, media and people, therefore different ideas.

VERANDAH: The semi-open space that is defined by the surface of the stable units and the courtyard. Verandah unites inside spaces with the outside through means of visual continuity.

PATHWAY: The gateway that orients the outsider to the clubhouse providing a visual continuity. The importance of the pathway that it draws the outsider to inside.

Design Decisions
After the analysis considering circulation paths and focus points, the site near the Junior Academy at the edge of the boundary of the campus, is chosen. It is near the children's play area, seen from the whole academy site and reachable from the field. These are the other parameters for choosing the site. Three sculptures are placed within the site on focus points which are the "main elements", that symbolize and give reference to the computer clubhouse. They will be elements seen anywhere from the campus, so that when people come from outside the campus, they will be directed to the computer clubhouse. Also, there will be secondary elements, which can be used as exhibition panels and will be placed throughout Mombasa and the academy, to iconize the creative activities going on in the clubhouse.

The two stable units are placed according to morning-afternoon sun shadings and major wind. The stable units form a corridor for the wind and create a shadowy courtyard with the help of verandahs. Cross-ventilation is obtained by opening to the wind. By creating multi-layers, passive-ventilation is obtained with wooden revolving louvres, bamboo shading, sliding door and double-layered wall which contains infrastructure. For the cool air, both of the units are elevated so that underground cooling can also be done. Rain is stopped by covered outdoor areas.

The fat unit is called "playground stable" while there is interaction (formed by bamboo fence, trees and openings on the façade) between the play area of the children and the unit, in which computers for specialized digital work are placed. The pathway creates a verandah which forms a balcony seeing the ocean view, of the playground stable. The focus point of this unit is the area next to the verandah, (creating a visual continuity with the sliding doors) the meeting-gathering place where all the scanners, laser cutters, printers, etc. will be. The audio lab is on the suspended floor.

While the other unit is towards the field, it is called "field stable". There is a total space inside, which contains, fabrication lab, administration and staff places as well as exhibition catwalk placed towards the ocean. By opening the sliding doors a total space is obtained in which many activities can be combined to form a workshop. The arts and crafts activities extend to the courtyard shaded by verandah, where youths can work outside by folding the panels that limits the unit. Toilets, storage and wood cutting area are in the basement. The access from the field forms the stairs that go up to the courtyard as well as it creates an entrance to the basement. By the view terrace towards the field, the access to the "playground field" can also be reached.