Shorouq Centre For Women Location

1. Reception – spaces for visitors, and trainees to use during breaks, 12 m2

2. Administration – office for the director and administration staff 36 m2

3. Trainees – workspace enough for up to 50 people 50m2

4. Kitchen – with enough space for several woman to prepare food, 12 m2

5. Bathrooms – WC and change room (handicapped access and lockers) 12 m2

Client AgendaConfidence •

Simplicity•

Empowerment•

Optimism•

Crafts•

Hospitality•

Education•

Environmental AgendaVentilation•

Natural Light•

Insulation•

Passive Heating •

Water Collection•

Reuse of Materials•

Vegetation•

The students presented two alternatives: one for each option. The first show the raised roof using the double pitched roof. This roof form has the advantage of collect-ing the rain and bringing morning and afternoon sunlight directly into the building while protecting the spaces from the south during the heat of the day.The second shows the possibility of covering the building with a pergola and vine, shading the building during the summer and exposing it to the sunlight during the winter. The roof vine is a familiar element of traditional Palestinian Architecture and will give the center extra outdoor space on the roof.

Students considered the use of local materials, local build-ing skills, the very harsh climate and the limited budget. Most importantly, they tried to give expression to the ideas inherent in the Shorouq center: the respect, indepen-dence and empowerment of woman. Hopefully the de-signs proposed will address the centers functional needs, dramatically improve the environmental conditions and create a building which will become a source of pride to these woman.

Program for Shorouq Centre

Client Information

The Shorouq Charitable Society for Women is a Palestinian non-profit organization, officially established in 2002 to improve the status of women and allow them to play an active role in society.

Shorouq firmly believes that women’s empowerment is the key to building a just and equitable society. Working primarily with mothers in building their human, social and political capabilities, Shorouq seeks to ensure a better future for the coming generations.

Objectives:

•To train women in democracy, civic education and political participation; •To integrate women into the economy by providing them with training and support;•To provide working mothers with affordable and quality childcare (nursery and kindergarten).

The Centre is designed to seed and cultivate independent, women who are able to run a successful small businesses, that might be home based or otherwise. Alongside a sewing workshop that would function as a profit making training centre.

Option 1 Option 2

Option A

Phase I Phase II

Option B

Phase I Phase II

Option C

Phase I Phase II

Design Concept

Concept

Participants:Dan Price

Ziad

Embarking on the design the students decided that each alternative would include two phases: the first developing only the current property, the sec-ond including the adjacent property. Importantly, there developed a consen-sus to recommend moving the formal entrance of the center to the historic building which will allow handicapped access and parking for tour busses.

Three different functional plans were developed. Each has advantages and disadvantages for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Each alternative can be expressed in different roof shapes or forms and this will have to be developed further with the client.