PROJECT HISTORY

Casa Rana is the first project made by Made in Earth, the one from which everything started. At that time, we were an architecture studio involved in a more usual design activity, and looking for an opportunity like this, that in the end came from a client of us who is, by chance, the founder of a swiss foundation, that wanted to support the project.

As an initial brief, it was requested a project that could be the node of a bigger network, in order to have a wider impact on the context, and to be capable to start a development as a kind of territorial acupuncture, a synergetic system of small-scale interventions, that can be realized and managed by the local communities, increasing their sense of belonging and identity. In particularly, the request was a home for 15 HIV positive children, who are orphans or have been abandoned by their family, or with parents who cannot take care of them. The main purpose was to give the project a sense of a family home, a joyful place where to grow up with the other kids. The building should have also been suitable for the particular climate conditions of the context, a place that can be very hot during a big part of the year. Today, the structure is managed by Terre des Hommes Core Trust ONG and hosts 25 children from 4 to 15 years old, who live there with a devoted Mother, a loving Cook and caretakers. Furthermore, the location of the project is just outside the city of Thiruvannamalai, in a green environment .

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Casa Rana is a one story building of approximately 400 sqm. The design process has involved all users and especially focused on the active participation of children through drawing, music and game activities. Thanks to this inclusive approach, the layout of Casa Rana reflects the needs of this little community: children feel protected and free to play, while the mummy can watch them confidently.

The structure is composed by two big concrete slabs, the raised floor and the walkable roof . The first one is detached from the ground to avoid flood. Between them, five colored boxes are freely disposed, while the free space in between becomes the common and distribution area. Two of these boxes lie to the northern side, one comprising the kitchen and the other the Mummy's room and the storage. In the southern side there are the other three containing dormitories and bathrooms for 15 children. All these boxes are positioned according to the prevailing winds, to enhance the natural cross ventilation. Other bright-colored small volumes emerge from the roof as skylights and chimneys for natural ventilation, completing the overall look of a construction toy. A little stair allows the access to the roof, where between the chimneys take place a water tank and a laundry.

The building is enveloped by a bamboo curtain, which creates shadowed areas between indoor and outdoor spaces.

MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY

The project considers the local context in terms of resources, building materials, workers' ability as well as social and building costs. In a realistic approach, Casa Rana combines together traditional and contemporary building techniques and products.

The structure was made in concrete, pragmatically the more convenient and rapid material, that also suited the open and airy layout of the project. Walls were realized in hand made bricks, that ensured a good insulation, also involving local workers and factories. The waterproofing was made using a traditional technique, a mix of broken bricks, sand, water, cement and a liquid that comes from the seeds' fermentation of a local plant. The perimetral curtain was made in bamboo, much more sustainable than wood, for its fast-growing peculiarities.

The composition is oriented in order to maximize cross-ventilation, carefully positioned according to the prevailing winds.

PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT

The philosophy that guides our projects is to combine ethical and aesthetic values in order to protect people's dignity, with a real attention to their needs. This way, architecture becomes a chance to pursue bigger purposes: this is our idea of sustainability

The concept of Casa Rana was to create a dynamic, various space for children: a place that is itself a toy, to be discovered and exploited. A place where children can feel free to gather or to stay alone, that follows them in the many different moments of childhood. The bright colours of the walls refer to both the well-known Indian culture of colours and to a big, oversized toy. They also help to give an identity and a feeling of belonging to the little inhabitants.

The construction phase has involved local manpower, as well as professionals and other members of the community to foster their autonomy and to achieve social inclusion.

Casa Rana is part of a wider network of buildings: Made in Earth is now completing, for the same NGO, a Vocational Institute, a Training Center, a Community center, plus a couple of other children's home.