Construction is now underway for the Chipakata Children’s Academy in Zambia, Africa.  This new school, orphanage and community facility will serve hundreds of children from the Chipakata community and provide a basic elementary school education (grades 1 to 7) including arts-based learning programs, as well as daily meals.  When complete, the children will no longer have to walk five miles each way to the nearest existing school.

 

Situated in the rolling topography of rural Zambia, the buildings capture views of the surrounding landscape and occupy level ground, both of which were drivers in the overall planning and siting of the complex. Aided by computer analysis of the site’s solar conditions, the orientation and massing of the buildings ensure proper solar shading throughout the day. The basic design of the classroom buildings is a modified version of the traditional Zambian "classroom bar" typology.  By pulling the classroom modules apart, additional covered spaces are created for informal learning and group activities. Clerestory windows maximize daylight and natural ventilation within the classroom volumes.  The elevated steel canopy provides for flexible open-air spaces on the second level shaded from sun and rain. 

 

The project is being built from locally available materials and resources and employs nearby Zambian construction firms as well as local community members to perform the construction work on site.    A number of community-based initiatives have already been completed including new roads and infrastructure, a grinding mill and a retail shop that provide more immediate access to essential goods and services for the village.  The first phase of the project will open in 2014.  Subsequent phases across the 250 acre site will include numerous agricultural initiatives, a health clinic and other important facilities.

 

Chipakata Children’s Academy is the first project by 14+ Foundation (14plusfoundation.org), a NYC-based non-profit co-founded in 2012 by Joseph Mizzi, President of Sciame Construction, and Nchimunya Wulf, a native Zambian.  The foundation’s mission is to develop and build schools and orphanages for African children.  The design of  the project is a collaborative effort lead by a group of NYC design professionals including Susan Rodriguez, FAIA, a founding partner and Design Principal at Ennead Architects;  Frank Lupo, FAIA, an adjunct professor at Pratt Institute; Nat Oppenheimer, PE, Executive Vice President of Robert Silman Associates, Structural Engineers and Randy Antonia Lott, Director at Moed de Armas & Shannon Architects.  The team has provided their services for this project on a pro-bono basis.