Competition Boat builder's workshop in the Danube Delta

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Architecture competition "Boat builder's workshop in the Danube Delta"

(Marangozerie in Delta Dunarii)

Honorable Mention

october 2014

http://www.rowmania.ro/?id2=0002&lng=

The competition sought to find options for a new type of penitenciary (in Romania), where inmates can participate in specialized practical activties such as boat building, basket weaving, pottery, woodworking or house building. It is part of a larger project in partnership with the norvegian Bastoy prison which seeks to bring a different approach to inmate rehabilitation processes.

The competition was launched by Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association in aprtnership with the National Penitenciary Association of Romania, South Regional Office – Bastoy Prison Norway and RomanoButiQ Association. The project was financed as aprt of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

The location is in the Danube Delta, a natural reserve of significant importance.

Each contender had to choose one of the different activities and propose a workshop which can be built with local materials, know-how and workforce. One aspect which was important was the fact that these workshops should offer more than just a space for productive activities, they should also offer a learning environment which should be inspiring.

General view

   "A boat builder and hise apprentices gather to build boats in a barn. This is the state at the core the project.
   After that, their movements in space and the various ergonomic requirements outlined a space punctuated by places of work or rest, which are more or less lightened, opened or with the possibility to be opened, separated or with the possibility to be massed together. If necesssary, the whole space can be shut by closing the wooden lids at the windows. The points of light (windows or skylights) are massed or become sparse depending on the lighting necessities of the different activities. The space is heated through a brick oven on wood which also offers the possibility to heat or cook something on its plate and to heat the running water through a system of copper spirals. At the entrance there is a generous veranda which harbours the wood depot as well, permanently ventilated.
   The construction is based on local materials and know-how. On a stone foundation there is a wood structure which is insulated with a mixture of earth and chopped straw (one layer on the outside and one layer on the inside). On top of this structure there is a generous thatched roof which shelters everything."