Worm Centrum Hospitii

Press Kit

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.