In 2018 we were commissioned to design a small mobile resource centre that could be shared between rural communities in South Africa.
The brief was very simple:
• A stand alone structure, approx 25m2 in size
• It should incorporate a versatile space where children can sit down and read, draw and play
• A dedicated area for special talks and small groups events would be desirable
• The spaces should be as flexible as possible
• A small audio/visual would be possible as most rural communes are now electrified
• A computer and scanner would help generate a small amount of revenue to maintain the facility
So that's what we did. At its most simple, the resource centre is no more than a piece of mobile joinery, installed in existing structures and schools, which can house books, art materials, research material and computer equipment.
We also considered options for the centre to be a permanent fixture, e.g. as a backdrop to a presentation space, or expanding easily to provide space for seating and a modest roof/shade. It was a sweet project and we enjoyed finding cost-effective ways to help the client achieve their vision.
