the maternity centre - kaira looro

Africa is a land of symbols and myths, even in architecture. Architecture in West Africa is the architecture of mud and clay and symbols. The building is formed in the embrace of soil, which is a symbol of mother earth, and rises from it. Symbols act as a visual link to the continent's rich cultural heritage and help create unique architectural spaces that are relevant to the context. Patterns act as a visual language through which stories, traditions and beliefs are conveyed. These patterns can express social status, transmit spiritual powers and represent cultural messages and concepts.Every African tribe has myths, stories, legends and oral history.
In this project, the focus was mainly on the myths in which women's faces are very impressive. Some myths speak of an original human mother from whom all people sprang. For example, in Togo, it is said that when Uwolowu, God, created mankind, he first created a woman on earth and through her gave birth to the first child, the first human being.
Also, a woman without children is a source of regret in African society, the birth of a baby gives security to the housewife and she enjoys having a safe family, for this reason, the position of mother has been paid more attention compared to other women. The mother herself may not be a big person in the society. But it delivers an important person to the society. With all these myths and values, women have a weak and worthless role in African societies and are captive to racial discrimination. For this purpose, the design of the project, in addition to the bold functional role, requires a symbolic and rich pattern that speaks of gender equality for the women of this land.
With this investigations, the design of the project was configured in three cultural, functional and climatic layers, as follows.
1- Culture, symbols and signs
Woman is a symbol of family, unity, mother, child, birth, reproduction and survival. To express this, the Adinkra symbols were inspired.
1- the Nkonsonkonson symbol meaning Chain. A symbol of unity, community,which shows the main role of women to create a community.
2- Nyame Biribi WoSoro, A symbol of hope and inspiration. As the main pillar of the family, women are a Women support all family members in difficulties and problems.
By inspiration of these two symbols The volume consisting of two ovals in front of each other and with different dimensions and heights (large dimensions and higher (symbol of men) - small dimensions and shorter (symbol of women)) shows the differences and distinctions and gender discrimination of women against has men.The connection of these two with the rectangular volume is a symbol of discrediting gender divisions and creating unity and equality( Like a child who becomes the link between parents).The oval is a sign of uniqueness and desire for life. This shape represents rebirth, fertility and even immortality, and its combination with the rectangle is a symbol of earthiness.
3- Duafe symbol - A symbol of feminine consideration or good feminine qualities such as patience, prudence, fondness, love, and care.
By inspiration of this symbol and also for climatic reasons ,Two oval volumes are surrounded by bamboo stalks as if a mother is holding her child.
4- Ebon fence - A symbol of safety, security, and love.
Inspiration the form of this symbol in African fabrics installed in the main entrance With symbolic colors and patterns, they double this pattern by casting their shadow on the main entrance floor too.
5- Baobab and fractal geometry
In African culture, these trees are a symbol of collective gatherings, storytelling and ceremonies. whose main form can also be converted into two ovals. Also, placing this tree at the entrance intensifies this symbol.
Function
According to the user, it is obligatory to place the functions and observe the access hierarchy without interference and transparency. The spaces are divided into three parts: open, semi-open and closed. When we enter the space from the east, in order to have easy access to the reception area, the waiting area and the staff facing the entrance, on the south side the bathroom, pharmacy and cafe,and on the north side, the ward, maternity ,laour,operating ,doctor and neonatal observation area are placed.To prevents functional interference On the east side is the access corridor for patients and companions and on the west side is the access corridor for personnel.
Climate and nature
The use of earthen materials, bamboo, low level of openings, the ratio of open and closed spaces, shades and wooden louvres and thick walls,… is the ultimate adaptation to the climate. The use of large openings facing each other, the high-height double skin ceiling that allows air to flow freely throughout the space. Raising the floor (in order to cool the building, installing plumbing and ventilation pipes), plants and water on the south and north sides (wind direction)to create evaporative cooling , installing bamboo pipes in the floor and also terracotta pipes inside the walls (transfer the evaporative cool air in spaces)..Embedded colored glass bottles on the wall (break and reduce glare, heat and sunlight and to repel insects ). Using a bamboo sloping roof and collecting rainwater , guiding and using it.

• Hygiene
Mental health, public health and sexual health are important indicators in the development of societies. In addition to creating public health, due to the use of the project, by separating spaces and uses, a platform for discussion was provided to create mental health. Talking about issues that are common among women can play a therapeutic role. Placing the waiting and reception space under the centripetal oval form and designing platforms for sitting (inside and outside) and a place for children to play and mother's interaction and trying to prolong the life of the space are the representations of this approach in the project.

material
there are 3 main materials in this project : earthbags,bamboo,earth bricks
In order to speed and ease of construction, sustainability, heat resistance, cost reduction, use of local power, simplicity of implementation and ease of access, the main material for construction and walls is earthbag. This system does not require foundation and columns and is very suitable for the implementation of curved surfaces. The barbed wire,rebars,iron mesh are using to complete walls resistance.
In order to reduce the heat exchange, external walls with a thickness of 35cm were made of earthbags and internal walls were made of 15 cm earth bricks.
Due to the ease of implementation, lightness and installation, reduction of thermal energy transfer, local access, flexibility and beauty, bamboo structure with clay and cement coating were used for the first roof. This roof has the ability to install bamboo, mat, clay, cement and fabric according to the use of the space.
According to the style of design,stability ,prevention of heat transfer, cost reduction and traditional system, the second roof was designed entirely of bamboo in three layers. This, along with the beauty, creates a resistant ,sustainable and unique roof.
All doors are made of bamboo and wooden canopies in order to reduce heat transfer, ease of installation, implementation, and the floor of all public spaces is made of broken tiles and concrete.
to maintain hygiene in all sterile and medical spaces, ceramics, tiles and paint were used for the final coating.
The use of warm and neutral ocher clay on façade in order to integrate and match the building with the environment.

Structure
Earthbag wall construction steps
- Filling bags with soil, stones or waste material
- lower base under the main walls (concrete,rammed earth or bags filled with stones)
- Installing the drain pipe next to the lower base
- Installation of vertical rebars at certain distances in corners and walls intersection
- Picking filled bags
- pounding each row
- Installation of barbed wire
- picking and pounding next row and repeating until the end of the wall
- Filling the entire floor of the building between the lower bases of the walls with soil bags until the finished floor
- Installation of door sills and opening wooden frames during wall arrangement
- Installation of ventilation clay pipes during wall arrangement
- Installation of colored glass bottles during wall arrangement
- top base of compacted soil or concrete (for roof installation)
- iron mesh ( chicken net )
- Cement or concrete lining
First roof construction steps
- bamboo roof structure (simultaneously with the concrete of the top base)
- connecting parts ( rope , screw )
- Installation of bamboo, wood, mud or cement coating and fabric from the inside
- Installation of iron mesh (chicken net) and cement or mud coating from the outside
second roof construction steps
- The main bamboo beams with a diameter of 15 cm
- Side beams with a diameter of 7 cm
- Final cover with bamboo shingle
- connecting parts ( rope , screw )