Here at Acropora Centre, we have created a coral rehabilitation centre for children.The centre focuses on education through activities and play to help the younger generation foster environmentally friendly behaviours early on. Found on the largest island of the Seychelles, Mahé, and conveniently located between Victoria and the international airport, Pangia Beach is your gateway to island life.
Targeting the Students of Seychelles
Targeting students of all ages to come and learn about the importance of coral reefs.
Schemes and outreach programs for the schools. Introduce new learning methods. Primary students are selected because its best to start the outreach programs at a younger age.
After school hours, scientists can use the space for coral reproduction. This takes place at night. Tourists can visit the centre when students are at school A space for local fisherman to bring back traditional practices such as the kazye. Also giving them jobs in the algae harvesting.
Acropora Centre
Educational Project
Client - Ministry of Education SEZ
Location - Providence, Mahe, Seychelles
Aim was to design a space where younger people can foster Environmentally Friendly Behaviours from a young age.
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Collage Moodboard from Sketchbook
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Material & Colour Selection
Getting to know the Materials
The materials of this project was inspired from Creole vernacular architecture.
Based on the materials used in Creole vernacular style , the most commonly used materials are:
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Timber
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Iron sheets
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Stone
These materials have been widely used in a selection of arrangements until concrete (glass and steel) was introduced on the islands.
This then became the most commonly used material as it worked best with the environment .
The chosen approach is to convey these materials in a contemporary style that will link to vernacular Creole style without directly imitating what has already been done in the past.
Reception & Picnic Areas
The reception is the first place that visitors will see. This is where they will be briefed on the rules of the centre and the activities they will take part in. The reception also has a few important areas such as the wall where students can write down how they can help the corals.
After completing their activities, the students can sit down and enjoy their snack or lunch. The picnic area also aims at teaching the students the importance of recycling with the use of recycle bins and the interactive art mural.
Dive Centre, Algae Garden & Coral Nursery
What makes the dive centre at Acropora so special is that it's made specifically for children. The dive centre & swimming pool are set up so that children are given the chance to learn how to swim & dive by professionals.
The algae garden works in two ways,firstly as a farm for algae and secondly as shelter for the coral nurseries. The algae garden also hosts an array of plants to improve the air quality & environment. This nursery is for the experts and scientists who use the centre to conduct their research on coral reproduction.
Concept Inspiration: Kazye Sesel
Fishing is part of the country’s cultural heritage. During the colonial and slavery eras, fishing was the order of the day. Distinctive heart-shaped fish trap made of bamboo, better known as ‘kazye’. The ‘kazye’ bamboo fish trap is now quite rare. On the one hand, the raw materials, that is the bamboo stalks are at best scarce, on the other hand professional ‘kazye’ makers who possess the knowledge, patience and experience, are slowly passing away along with their art.
