ar2com

This is the century of communication. Collaboration between cultures happens via internet or via mobile phone. We knew this Tuareg-clan settling since a few years north of Timbuktu, who asked an interpreter and an architect from Darmstadt, Germany, to help with the construction of their first permanent educational building for their kids. Of course, we will join in; didn’t we have a splendid time in the desert some years ago…

A work process from one continent to the other was launched – between parties almost 4,000 km apart: some presentation sketches were sent via email as JPGs from Central Europe to Mali, West Africa; but the adequate form of communication has still to be learned by both sides; the newly found name Scarab’s School brands a tangible, palpable idea in all participant’ s minds and motivates the whole team. Asking, checking, and asking again is done via VoIP-mobile phoneconnection.

The above paragraphs seem to be the beginning of a futuristic fairy tale from the 1970s-ies, yet they are our built reality on the desert sands of Timbuktu. Planning and construction of the Scarab’s School was done within three months and a half, finalized in July 2009. The astounding issue in the whole process, from finding first ideas, design, construction, site management, and completion as well as use of the building was twofold: the harmonious communication as well as the horizontally structured collaboration between a “developing country” or for the case being a “nation without country” and on the other hand a “highly civilized industrial country”. The workflow, the building and hopefully the didactic methods in this building will thrive on de-hierachization.

The following article is about processes, which are in a constantly changing world more important than results, even more important than immutable ultimate results.

The article was published at the online peer-review journal for cultural comparative studies in architecture JCCS-a 4/2010 // Ephemeral Structures vs. Current Preservation Practice
The abstract and the article are both available here for download.

simple natural sustainable - ABSTRACT Download

Simple = natural > sustainable - ARTICLE Download (49)

a small board (45 x 35 cm) becomes seat, table and school bag in one = passport for education.
All nomad pupils need is a portable bag made basically of a wooden board: one side is the writing desk, the back side has a leather seat to sit on; between seat and table there is a pocket for pencils, notebooks, books. Nothing else needed — besides a teacher . . . and school can begin.

The project is financed by the association AmiMali e.V. Donations are welcome. Communities interested in the Mobile Device feel free to email AmiMali e.V. I am personally very curious how this mobile device will look in different cultures.
More images can be found on the ar2com – kommunikative archietktur aus darmstadt.

Mobile Device for the Desert [ 4:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (260)

No School for Tuareg-Kids without Global Communication

Direct communication between human beings beyond cultures and nations is an important task in building a social environment. The right for education is part of the human rights bill. Vernacular buildings help us survive because we need local identity.

In the foto the Tuareg tent is still missing which will arrive in July. More fotos and plans can be seen at the architecture website.

The project is financed by the association AmiMali e.V. Donations are welcome. An annex is in construction. A different Tuareg clan is waiting for its own school.
You can listen to the feature of the Scarab School at the Hessischer Rundfunk, a public German broadcasting station.
The German Newspaper Darmstädter Echo published an article about the school: Die Wüstenschule aus dem Internet Westafrika: Darmstädter Architektin entwarf für und mit Tuareg-Nomaden in Mali einen Unterrichtsbau aus Lehm by Petra Neumann-Prystaj.
The school was presented at the Malian stand during the world urban forum in Rio de Janeiro.
I attached an interview by Salif Sanogo working for TV ORTM, the national broadcasting in Mali, in French.
The Scarab School has been awarded at World Architecture Community.

Scarab School [ 8:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (240)

Salif Sanogo interviews the architect at the World (fr) Urban Forum, Rio (ORTM, Bamako - Mali) [ 2:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (109)

(de) Philipp Wellhöfer features the Scarab School (HR, Frankfurt - Germany) [ 3:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (94)