reconstruction
In January 2005 the search was already begun for a new site for the school within a radius of approx. twelve kilometres from Wathuregama. Important criteria for the selection were the social needs (poor region, densely populated) as well as socio-political and transport conditions. Finally in March a site was acquired in Ahungalla of approx. four acres (approx. 16,000 m²). It is situated only about one kilometre inland from the destroyed former school site and is close to a railway station and a bus stop. Soil samples were taken by means of drilling to check suitability for construction. As a result the marshland was fenced off, filled in and levelled and the access road restored. The laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the new School Campus in Ahungalla took place on 4 July (time and date traditionally specified according to the horoscope).
The first architectonic plans were already begun and the end of January/beginning of February. A team was formed under the direction of Prof. Carl Pruscha in cooperation with the architect Martina Püringer and with Prof. Wolfdietrich Ziesel responsible for statics. The team was completed with the local architect Varuna de Silva and during spring 2005 there were several meetings of the team on the spot in Sri Lanka. During this period the plans were finalised and finally prepared for submission for building permission by Varuna de Silva. Lukas Bramhas built the architectonic models.
Reconstruction meant a new concept of the one world foundation free education unit. A functional overall architectonic concept for the Preschool, English and Computer Units, the Tailoring Unit, Music Class and Women's Cooperation and the newly established Primary Education Units had to be developed. This was done taking account of traditional practices as well as social, pedagogical and ecological aspects.
The basis of the new concept is a functional, modular structure that can be extended as required both horizontally and vertically. One module is a square unit with a floor area of 36 m². The modules are connected together and the dividing walls can be variably placed or left out altogether. This flexible method of construction opens a multitude of options for use, from office to classroom to a large room for events. Plan and furnishing vary according to the function of the unit, from open airy rooms to enclosed computer room with air conditioning. The buildings stand alone or together and between the units is an open, roofed system of passageways or public lounges and rooms for the breaks.
The Main Campus in Ahungalla was designed for approx. 700 schoolchildren, 32 modular units were built as follows: four Preschool Units, four Computer Units (with 40 computers), four English and two Primary Education Units, three Women's Cooperation Units (integrated into the previously separate Tailoring Units), one Music and Dance Unit, three connected units for library, conference and administration facilities, school kitchen with lounge and kiosk, two workshops and storerooms, two shower and WC facilities, seven roofed lounge and break units for general use as well as a sports field, a children's playground, places for bicycles and tricycles, a water purification plant and a water tower for drinking water and water for domestic use as well as a small Buddhist school temple and a stage for school ceremonies.
The modular units are strung together and a coffered concrete ceiling connects the individual units. The coffered ceiling has a total surface of approx. 2,000 m² and rests on 78 concrete columns. The open design - the walls are not continuously brought up to the ceiling - provides for good ventilation, which is particularly important for the indoor climate and has a cooling effect in a tropical zone that is humid all year round.
After the laying of the foundation stone on 4 July 2005, construction was begun of a prototype double unit, the engineer Helmut Petrik supervised the construction of the prototype as project manager. On the basis of experience with the prototype, construction was begun of further school units in August 2005.
After a construction period of around one and a half years – partly hampered by unusually heavy and long monsoons both in October/November 2005 and November/December 2006 – the new school campus was ceremonially opened on 9 December 2006.
On 6 January regular school operation was started at the new school campus. The temporary arrangements in Galwehera and Balapitya are now a thing of the past.
Annual report 2005
Annual report 2006 (in german)
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