Designing a Crèche
(krãsh)
a day-care center for young children
Within the following academic year, Cornell students will catalogue existing and potential sustainable practices in South Africa and create a comprehensive atlas of their research. The atlas will inform the design of a 6,000 square foot Early Childhood Development center (known locally as a crèche) which will be constructed by volunteer students during Summer 2011 in Cosmo City, South Africa.
Phases
Research (August – December 2010)
Students’ research culminates in a comprehensive atlas featuring information on cultural systems, urban demographics, local construction materials and techniques, sustainable building systems, and site analysis. Volunteer students visit Cosmo City to conduct an extensive site survey.
Design (January – April 2011)
Together with Cornell University’s Department of Architecture, 60 sophomore architecture students work with 5 professors to conceptualize the crèche design. Students develop models, renderings, and construction documents.
Build (May – July 2011)
Student volunteers travel to South Africa to begin construction. 20-30 students work with local laborers to learn from each other. The structure will utilize local materials and resources, incorporate child-friendly amenities, and exemplify environmental adaptability and sustainability.
Making it happen with…
Education Africa
A non-profit organization that aims to reduce poverty through a number of educational development programs. Their Social Architecture Program works with international universities to design and build schools for underprivileged children.
The City of Johannesburg
Cosmo City, a public private partnership between Basil Read and The City of Johannesburg, is a revolutionary mixed- income, socially-integrated housing development outside Johannesburg.
Basil Read Developments
Basil Read is a premier construction and development group in South Africa. They have initiated various community support activities in Cosmo City and the our crèche is one of the projects they support.
Play With A Purpose
In Cosmo City, Education Africa will implement the Play with a Purpose curriculum to train teachers to apply innovative educational programs in underprivileged pre-schools to ensure children receive the best possible preparation for grade school.
Education Africa’s Social Architecture Program
Education Africa
Education Africa (EA) is a philanthropic non-profit organization based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Established in 1992, EA strives to reach and uplift the poorest of the poor. They aim to assist disadvantaged South Africans in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive, productive element in the local job market. EA aims for an educated nation, which in turn will lead to a progressive nation that is in a position to sustain economic growth.
Social Architecture Program
The EA Social Architecture Program partners with universities worldwide, enabling students, typically in architecture programs, to design and build structures such as childhood development centers, skills-training centers and primary schools. So far, the program has produced eleven (11) buildings in disadvantaged townships through partnerships with international universities. Students work side-by-side with local residents throughout the building process, encouraging the important transfer of skills and knowledge. Previous projects include, Nottingham University’s exceptional nursery in Jouberton.
An Introduction to CUSD: Past, Present, and Future
Solar Decathlon
Formerly the Cornell University Solar Decathlon, CUSD participated in three US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Competitions. In October of 2009, the organization rebranded itself to reflect a new focus on a comprehensive understanding of social and environmental sustainability. Since restructuring, CUSD has partnered with two organizations, Education Africa and the Institute for Computational Sustainability and is pursuing two projects simultaneously. CUSD is now recognized as one of Cornell’s premier sustainable student groups, and is poised to become an active component of the sustainable discourse at Cornell.
Our current team applies the knowledge and experience of several returning members and looks to further inform decisions with the perspectives of newcomers. Our efforts are further enhanced by the sustained involvement of exceptional faculty and professional mentors that work tirelessly so that our aspirations become a reality.
Current Projects
As the new CUSD, we currently manage two design-build projects. One project is our Sustainable Research Facility (SRF), which allows Cornell students to have the opportunity to participate in the design and development of a Living Laboratory on Cornell’s Ithaca campus. The project featured here is our Schoolhouse South Africa project, which is in partnership with non-profit organization, Education Africa.
