Worm Centre Integrat by Hactor Kabo Malete

Worm Centre Integrat by Hactor Kabo Malete is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award de Fèrre in Arquitectura Competition Category.

FèrreArquitectura· 2023

Worm Centre Integrat

by Hactor Kabo Malete

Client: Hactor K. Malete

A' Design Award de Fèrre Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #151138

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Worm Centre Integrat

Dins l'istòria de la cultura del pòble de Botswana, lo Vèrme de Mophane es estat totjorn una de las delicadèssas localas. Lo concèpte de concepcion s'es inspirat del Vèrme de Mophane. La forma geometrica de l'edifici mimetiza la forma del còs del vèrme. Aqueste vèrme viu tota sa vida sus l'Arbre de Mophane. Aquesta relacion entre lo Vèrme de Mophane e l'Arbre de Mophane es estada traducha dins la manièra que l'edifici se rapòrta a la vegetacion naturala que l'envolta. La connexion de l'edifici amb la natura èra cruciala.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Fèrre

Worm Centre Integrat a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre, una reconeissença prestigiosa acordada a de bons designs que respondon a las exigéncias professionalas e industrialas esperadas de creacions plan concebudas. Los ganhaires del Fèrre demòstran una granda abilitat, una nauta especializacion, una comprenedura d'expèrt e la capacitat creativa de lors creators. S'espèra que Worm Centre Integrat siá una creacion fòrça considerada, admirada e estimada, practica e innovanta. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre integra las melhoras practicas del sector e a de caracteristicas tecnicas competentas ligadas a un saber-far e a un talent. Per son rigor, Worm Centre Integrat merita lo respècte e es destinat a aportar de melhoraments a la qualitat de la vida que ajudan a far del mond un luòc melhor.

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.