T HESIS: THE URBAN COMPOUND CONCEPT
DAPHNE C. ARKO-DADZIE 2018 2023
THE URBAN COMPOUND CONCEPT
The urban population in Ghana and the rest of the Global South is growing by the day. This concept acts as an urban design response and a model for
new settlements that form a balance between our precolonial vernacular (The Compound House) and our contemporary sensibilities.
Settlements needto create space for
SUSTAINABLEPRACTICES ALLOWFOREXPANSION
A c entral program THECEN Less a bout “being green ” andmoreaboutthelongevity o f t he settlement’s Environment, Economy,and Equity standards . Ex. Energy Autonomy, Well-roundedAmmenities,Use of Local Materials .
WIDER ACCESS
to make the settlementandtheoutside world more accessibl
COM.POUND*
noun
An open use central space framed by fixed programming to preserve an insular condition within a noninsular one.
*Defined in context of the UCC
PRE-EXISTINGECOSYSTEMS
Thenaturalecosystem and existing structures shouldbepreserved. Settlements s hould be approachedfromalensofconservation and repurp
e .
to instill a sharedident i t y NTR AL FOCUS
The Compound House
osing
.
THE EFUA SUTHERLAND CHILDREN’S PARK &
A re-design of the abandoned Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra as a case study of the Urban Compound
This study looks at a craft centre as the main focus with socially-resilient programming to get Street Children in the capital into careers in the Arts.
MATERIALITY
CRAFT
Red Earth Brick
Corrugated Metal
Bamboo
Cobblestone
Punched Brick Wall Shelved Brick Wall Solid Brick Wall
CRAFT CENTRE
DESIGN IMPETUS
Afrosurrealism is built on the EPIPHANY MOMENT when the RIGHT NOW of blackness or African life is revealed. EPIPHANY
The Efua Sutherland Park as of 12/21
Compound Concept.
MOMENT ANTICIPATION REVELATION GUIDED PROGRESSION LAYERING FOCUS DARK LIGHT PERSPECTIVE
Graphic depiction of above words...
Representative of kente weaving...
Legend has it that this skill was derived from a spider web...
Draft Sketch
Draft sketch of the Craft Centre
The Craft Centre will incorporate an apprenticeship scheme with children learning from and working with local artisans. The aim is for the children to learn the skills necessary to run their own stalls and take on their own apprentices.
WORKSHOPS & SUPPLY RESTROOMS ARTISAN STALLS
A PEFORMANCE IN THE COURTYARD
PROGRAM A A B C D E
SHOWROOM COURTYARD
B C D E B C E
The main structural system of the Craft Centre exists to hold up the roof. Each corrugated metal piece sits on a radial grid of 2x6 beams that mimic the plan of a Spider Web.
RAINWATER HARVESTING THE MAIN CORRIDOR TO THE REST OF THE SITE Glulam Beams & Columns 10’ 9’ 95 91 5’
STRUCTURE
THE REST OF THE SITE Structure in Plan
TO
The masterplan of the park utilizes the locations of the National Theatre and Art Galleries to determine the spot Craft Centre. The point is for all the other programs to revolve around the craft centre so with that move I was allocating spaces.
Pre-existing structures like the Ferris Wheel, pavilions, and train tracks will be refurbished and put back in use. will be made out of recycled water gallons from the surrounding neighborhoods and at least 60% of the trees preserved.
CIRCULATION
WIDER ACCESS & PRE-EXISTING ECOSYSTEMS
spot for the was able to start use. Walking trails on site will be
Key Primary Street
Secondary Street Site Boundary
A Transit Terminal will be set up at the existing bus stop. It will service buses and an electric streetcar line running through the center of Independence Avenue.
The tram line will service the Makola and Nima neighborhoods to allow transport for Street Children and artisans that do not live on site as well as tourists.
ELECTRIC STREETCAR LINE & TRANSIT TERMINAL
GULF OF GUINEA
Well-rounded amenities on site include a rudimentary Schoolhouse and playground area. This will accomodate educational services for children in the park and surrounding neighbourhoods.There will be various pavilions and reflection to help keep the essence of a public park. A market will be established to accommodate the informal that will arise from the traffic to the site and a space for homes will be created as well.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
THE GROUND
HOW
THE HOUSE THE SKY THE PEOPLE
accomodate afterschool for performances
informal economy
CHILDREN’S MODEL - 1200 SF
FAMILY MODEL - 1800 SF
FAMILY MODEL EXPANDED - 3000 SF
PATIO
BEDROOM
HOUSE MEETS...
LIVING ROOM
BATHROOM
WATER STORAGE KITCHEN
COMPOUND HOUSE MODELS
SKY PEOPLE GROUND
A B C IN THE MARKET IN THE REFLECTION SPACE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
A B C
Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 The Craft Centre Residences Market Space Vegetation
IN THE FUTURE
