Lots of thought is going into the architectural design of the resource centre. Tom Graham, our volunteer architectural consultant, has been learning about traditional Tonga architecture and local materials that might be put to good use in order to create a centre which is conducive to collaboration, learning and sharing.

Openness
We want to construct a centre which is open and inviting. The design would encourage passage between buidlings, encouraging community members to enter, enquire and feel welcome. We also hope to use the space between buildings for informal meetings and idea sharing.

Tonga Inspiration
We have looked at Tonga architectual design and the traditional use of space and shelter. We want to incorporate the most adaptive and/or significant aspects of Tonga custom and design into our centre. For example, semi-covered areas such as verandahs are often used in the villages for various culturally important activities. We would therefore celebrate this customary practice by allowing for large semi-covered spaces and shady courtyards.

Appropriateness
Many of the houses and commercial structures in Zambia are inappropriate: An iron roof attracts heat and makes a house feel stuffy and airless; the use of concrete doesn’t make sense when it has become so expensive; large houses that fill up plots don’t allow for the traditional use of outside space. We would like to design in a manner that is appropriate to Zambian climate, resources and culture. This means, for example, that we would use locally-sourced construction materials such as earth and lime.