BDES1020 <William, Marshall>

Abstract

'Wahat El Salam/Neve Shalom is Arabic and Hebrew for Oasis of Peace.'It is an organisation jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, that is engaged in educational work for peace, equality and understanding between the two peoples. My design for a school for this organisation attempts to aid this process by creating an environment where students from both groups feel safe, comfortable and are encouraged to meet and make contact with each other in attempt to break down these barriers. As a result my design focuses on a central courtyard where most of the circulation takes place providing an open atmosphere, and allowing light into the school whilst also forcing contact to be made in the hope that stereotypes held by each group can be diminished. A secure feeling is created by a copper cladding that acts as an armor to the troubles of the outside world.