Worm Centro De Entretenimiento by Hactor Kabo Malete

Worm Centro De Entretenimiento by Hactor Kabo Malete is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award de Hierro in Diseño de Arquitectura, Edificación y Estructuras Competition Category.

HierroArquitectura· 2023

Worm Centro De Entretenimiento

by Hactor Kabo Malete

Client: Hactor K. Malete

A' Design Award de Hierro Winner in Arquitectura Category

18,635

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #151138

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Worm Centro De Entretenimiento

En la historia de la cultura de la gente de Botswana, Mophane Worm siempre ha sido una de las delicias locales. El concepto de diseño se inspiró en Mophane Worm. La forma geométrica del edificio imita la forma del cuerpo del gusano. Este gusano vive toda su vida en Mophane Tree. Esta relación entre Mophane Worm y Mophane Tree se tradujo en cómo el edificio se relaciona con la vegetación natural que lo rodea. La conexión del edificio con el paisaje natural fue crucial en el diseño. Además, el uso de materiales naturales locales evoca el carácter de la arquitectura vernácula de Tswana.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Hierro

Worm Centro De Entretenimiento ha ganado el A' Design Award de Hierro, un reconocimiento prestigioso concedido a buenos diseños que cumplen los requisitos profesionales e industriales que se esperan de creaciones bien diseñadas. Los ganadores de Hierro demuestran gran habilidad, alta especialización, comprensión experta y capacidad creativa de sus creadores. Se espera que Worm Centro De Entretenimiento sea una creación muy apreciada, admirada y querida, práctica e innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Hierro integra las mejores prácticas del sector y tiene características técnicas competentes unidas a conocimiento práctico y talento. Worm Centro De Entretenimiento es respetado por su minuciosidad y está concebido para aportar mejoras en la calidad de vida que ayudan a hacer del mundo un lugar mejor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The building consists of the restaurant, bar, gym, central courtyard with leisure pool. It assumes a horse shoe shape of Mophane worm, creating a central circular courtyard with leisure pool and relaxing spaces. The outside façade of the building also opens up towards the natural landscape. The building opens up to both the courtyard and the natural landscape outside. Roughly 70 percent of the façade of the building consists of glazing for visual and physical connection to the exterior.
Dimensions & Packaging: The building is 1 180 square meters excluding the courtyard and the swimming pool areas. Primary building materials used for construction are natural and promote sustainability and healthy relationship with the natural environment. They promote natural cooling, ventilation, lighting and cost saving. These include, compressed earth blocks masonry, thatched roof, gum poles. Some of the feature walls are made of stones sourced locally. Glass walls were used for visual connection
Tags: Entertainment centre, mophane worm, the worm, natural landscape, mophane tree
Production Technology: The geometric form of the building is derived from and composed from the shape of Mophane worm. The main body of the worm was translated into the floating and overarching roof that covers all indoor spaces below it. The moving multiple legs of the worm were translated into the flexible and openable glass walls that open to the courtyard and also the outside natural environment.
Design Challenge: The hardest part of this task was creating a building that resembles the form of Mophane worm and at the same translating the relationship between Mohape Worm and Mophane Tree into how the building relates to the natural landscape around it. The Architect had to further make sure that this is not purely a literal exercise of artistic expression but it also further primarily has an effect on the spatial arrangement and relationship.
Research: In Botswana’s history, Mophane worm has always been one of the local delicacies and staple foods. Residents also harvest the worm to sell it in order to sustain their lives. Creating a building that resonates with this worm gives the building a cultural significance. The building’s dominant feature which is the roof is made of thatch which reflects traditional Tswana huts. The circular character of the building also connects to the circular forms that always dominate traditional Tswana huts
Inspiration: The design was inspired by nature, Mophane Worm in particular. This worm is a local delicacy in Botswana. The building is designed to mimic the body shape of the worm. The Worm lives its life as a worm on Mophane Tree. This relationship between Mophane Worm and Mophane Tree was further translated to how the building relates to the natural vegetation surrounding it. The connection of the building to the natural landscape was crucial in the design.
Project Duration: This project has not been built yet. However, the client has indicated that he is intending to commence construction sometime towards the end of the year 2023. The design took 2 months to complete, including technical documentation. The site for the project is in the outskirts of a small town called Letlhakane in Botswana
Operation Flow: The building assumes a horse-shoe shape, which is the shape of Mophane Worm when it protects itself against potential external harm or prey. The worm usually coils and creates a safe haven for itself in that horse-shoe shape. This building therefore creates a central protected courtyard where outdoor leisure activities happen. This is where the leisure pool is located. The activities are protected from harsh weather. Indoor activities are all arranged around this courtyard.