Iron Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2023
Worm Integrated Center
- A' Design Award 2023 Iron Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Hactor K. Malete
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 18,479
- Verification code 7B1C3B6E80 · Verify this award
About Worm Integrated Center
In the history Botswana's culture, Mophane worm has always been one of the local delicacies. The design concept was inspired by Mophane Worm. The geometric form of the building mimics the body shape of the worm. This Worm lives its life as a worm on Mophane Tree. This relationship between Mophane Worm and Mophane Tree was translated into how the building relates to the natural vegetation surrounding it. The building's connection to nature and natural landscape was crucial in the design. Furthermore, the use of local natural material evokes the character of Tswana vernacular Architecture.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Colors of Worm Integrated Center
Design Interview about Worm Integrated Center
This design I did has been nicknamed ‘The Worm’. This is because, it was inspired by one of Botswana’s local delicacies – Mophane worm. Of pivotal importance is the relationship between Mophane worm and Mophane tree in particular. This relationship was translated into how the building commands a harmonious dialogue between itself and the natural vegetation surrounding it. This dialogue is established through the use of scale, material as well as physical and visual interaction/connection between interior of the building and outdoor natural landscape. Creating a building that resonates with this worm further gives the building a sense of cultural significance. The two distinct features (thatched roof and the circular form) evoke traditional Tswana Architecture.
The formal expression of the building is derived from the physique/body shape and posture 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 are the flexible and openable see-through walls that open to the courtyard as well as the outside natural environment.
The formal expression of the building is derived from the physique/body shape and posture 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 are the flexible and openable see-through walls that open to the courtyard as well as the outside natural environment.
May main focus was designing a building that relates well with nature and also rooted in the local culture.
My future plan is to enter this design for more awards and competitions. The client’s aim is to start building the design towards the end of the year 2023 or early 2024
It took me about 2 months. The building is part of a complex of other buildings in an Agritourism development project in Botswana (Letlhakane town).
The design was commissioned by my client
I designed the project specifically for a client and he intends to start building the design towards the end of 2023 or early 2024
I was approached by my client who gave me a brief of what he would like me to design for him
No, there wasn’t. I’m currently the only designer in my company. However, I intend on hiring other designers once my company grows and expands
This particular design belongs to a client already. I can design more buildings of this type for other clients anywhere in the world. The designs will be different depending on the site location and client’s requirements
Its place specificity and culture rootedness as well as drawing inspiration from nature, sets this design apart from others.
The building draws inspiration from nature (Mophane worm in particular), hence the name ‘The Worm’
Hand sketches to formulate the concept, Autodesk Revit for design development and technical documentation and lastly Twinmotion for producing 3 dimensional renders
It’s the inspiration it draws from Mophane worm and how it translates that into its formal expression and its relationship with nature
I worked alone on the project, there was no collaboration.
The use of Architectural modelling software as well as 3D rendering software
I did research on the climate and culture for the area, which informed building orientation, use of material, sustainability measures etc.
The challenge was to design a building that draws inspiration from Mophane worm and be able to translate the inspiration to Architectural terms.
I have always known about A design Competition as one of the international design competitions and I have been following the competition on social media. When I saw the competition calling for entries, I decided to enter my project for the competition since I had also completed the design. By then, I only had to compile documentation and all necessary presentations required for the competition.
My architectural presentation techniques improved greatly and I become more conversant with Architectural Rendering software (Twinmotion) that I use for my projects. The project also helped me understand Biomimetic Architecture better (the type of Architecture that draws inspiration from natural forms and translates that into Architecture).
All is covered
Grand Interview about Worm Integrated Center
The harmonious relationship harmonious relationship between Mophane worm and Mophane tree has evoked the use of free flowing spaces that ‘spill’ to the outside. This necessitated the use of largely openable facades that are also glass to create both visual and physical connection between the inside and outside spaces.
This dialogue/natural symbiosis is established through scale, use of geometry, material as well as physical and visual interaction/connection between interior of the building and outdoor natural landscape. The building winds itself in a circular form and ‘disappears’ into the natural landscape with facades largely openable to the surrounding. The circular form derived from the structural form of the worm, makes it easy to create habitable spaces that are shielded from the external weather elements. In this manner, the wall membranes between the outside and inside can be all open regardless of the weather conditions. This creates a building that’s intricately connected to the natural environment surrounding it.
This creates a safe haven for users that prefer to sit and use the outside spaces, to do so without having to worry about weather conditions. This courtyard is usable regardless on any harsh weather condition. Users are able to use outdoor spaces anytime they will. The further blurred line between the outdoor and indoor spaces allow the users sitting inside to experience the outdoor spaces at the same time.
In Traditional Tswana Architecture, materials used are usually earthy and are left raw in their natural finish. This is the case with The Worm Integrated Center, materials are left unfinished in their natural state. Not only is the use of compressed earth blocks and thatched roof a literal representation of the primary materials used in Traditional Tswana Architecture, they also promote environmental sustainability. These materials reduce energy consumption of the building. They keep the building warm in winter and cool the interiors cool during summer. The materials are further also locally sourced materials (earth and thatch). All these reduce the carbon footprint of the building in an era where climate change and global warming has become an increasing concern.
These flexible and openable glass walls create a sense of oneness between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The walls completely open to the courtyard and blur the line between the two spaces. In this instance, the natural environment flows into the inside and the outside flows out to the natural environment.
I ensured that the overall primary aspects of Traditional Tswana Architecture are captured in the design while infusing it with modern ways of construction and materials in a way that it does not overshadow the primary traditional Tswana Architecture traits. For example, Tswana huts are usually arranged around a common courtyard. This was translated into the building’s ability to form a central courtyard. I also infused the use of natural materials like glass walls with the compressed earth walls. Earth blocks used in traditional Tswana architecture has also been reimagined in a modern way through the use of compressed/engineered earth blocks. It still gives the same character but the walls are more modern and structurally sound for a structure of this scale and this use.
During the season mophane worm harvesting, the local communities usually harvest the worm to feed their families and also most sell it for economic benefits. It has been one of the most important contributors towards local communities’ economic upkeep. This building was therefore, not only designed to serve its function but also to display the Traditional Tswana Architecture as well as the cultural Heritage of Botswana. It is targeted at international tourists to experience it and in the process contribute towards the Letlhakane local economy. The whole architectural concept and narrative was informed by the probe to display this local traditional heritage.
Traditional Tswana architecture only makes use of small huts and not so big structures. The challenge on this project was to design a roof that suites a bigger building that is arranged around a wider and a radial configuration. I have also used the structure in a playful manner that celebrates the tectonics structural aesthetics. The challenge was getting the structure to work technically. However, I made use of modern building technics to get the structure to be technically sound.
Most of the walls are between buildings and facing the main courtyard. These are the walls that mostly form part of the 70%. Besides the courtyard being shielded from the adverse weather conditions, the building is layered with a wide veranda space between the outside and the building. These create enough buffer zone to cushion the interiors from external weather conditions. The use of compressed earth blocks, underfloor insulation and thatch further help to regulate the weather effects of weather conditions while allowing for the use of openable glass facades.
Once completed, this building will set a precedent in terms of successful interpretation of Traditional Tswana Architecture to modern architecture. I envision this building to be an inspiration to other local Architects in terms of this type of approach to Architecture. This will be the local Traditional Tswana Architecture re-imagined.