Location : Al Alamian New City (Alexandria - Egypt)
Team : Associate Prof. Riham Nady Faragallah - Dr. Pakinam Mohamed Nabil
Taghreed Mohamed Mohamed - Mahmoud El Shawadfy El sayed - Nada Refaat
Code: H1281
Design Concept :
Merging modern technology with the project design elements (prefabricated containers).
Project Components :
The main building (administration and various services for students) - housing units for students (single - double - triple) - recreational areas for the housing units and other areas distributed in the site - horizontal circulation elements (pedestrian walkways) and vertical circulation elements (stairs and ramps) to facilitate the movement in site.
Project Features:
The "Contech" project is located in El Alamein New City (Alexandria - Egypt) near the campus of El Alamein University at a distance of 121 m.
The main concept of the project was inspired by searching for ways to eliminate the spread of the emerging Corona virus and reduce its negative effects. So, the combination of modern technology and architecture was the best solution through integrating innovative technologies (electricity circuits) and new architectural structures (containers).
On one hand, the technological circuits of electricity connect the entire site together as a network that pumps life into containers and controls all aspects such as: infrastructure pipes, electricity wires, temperature sensors for all containers, laundry and food shuttles, and these circuits are connected to a central control room located in the main building.
On the other hand, the prefabricated shipping containers were selected as they are manufactured in factories according to precautionary measures, and then they are quickly installed on site, thus reducing labor and the possibility of infection transmission between workers and controlling the construction period.
Design solutions for small spaces
Student units are made of shipping containers that are widely available and relatively inexpensive and are environmentally friendly than traditional building materials such as cement and bricks. The container is designed with an area of 14.4 square meters (with dimensions of 2.40m * 6.00m * 3.00m) to achieve the best function in the smallest space (optimal use of the area).
Also, multifunctional furniture was designed so that students can use one space for several different functions. Also, light partitions were used to separate the uses within the unit and used for individual isolation in case of infection with Corona virus as a kind of social distancing.
Recreational Areas
There are two types of recreational areas for students, the first is an “entertainment area for each unit” in the form of an open space and this area can be used for several activities such as: reading, relaxing, exercising, yoga ... etc. The second area is “entertainment areas spread in the site between the units” where students can interact with each other and it contains seating areas, outdoor cinemas, an open gym, ... etc., taking into account the precautionary measures.
Environmental Treatments
Various environmental treatments were used, such as the orientation of openings towards the north to achieve natural lighting and ventilation, increasing the shaded areas, the use of green roofs and water elements, the use of light colors in the facades to reduce heat, the use of water management systems and the exploitation of solar energy through photovoltaic cells.
Hygiene and Sterilization Considerations
All safety precautions were taken into account during the design process such as the design of isolation areas for students, areas for removing shoes, automatic sterilization, automatic door opening for entry, automatic monitoring of students' temperature, as well as the use of touch units for washing hands and sterilization, especially in public places such as: corridors, gathering places, ... etc.
Finally, the design proposal provided optimal solutions to the challenges posed by COVID-19, through the design process starting from the construction phase using prefabricated materials to the design phase and operating systems which promote health and safety of users.
