MSA Stage 5 School of Architecture

Yemisi Saidi

An unavoidable factor evident in most cities is the contrast between those who live in areas of opportunity and those who do not. Often these neglected areas are well populated, have a strong sense of community and yet are lacking in the facilities that differentiates them to the seemingly wealthier population. Considering the urban plans and educational statistics in the Molenbeek territory, I believed this is to being a key starting point in balancing Brussels. Education is not only the provision of a syllabus and structured learning institutions. In fact, other forms of education usually help an individual to find their purpose, have aspiration, and be motivated to purse an area of interest granted they have the means, resources and facilities to do so. Educational factors in a community effects the economic growth, health outcomes and social cohesion. Molenbeek has a diverse population and it’s time to claim some of the attention that has been focused solely in the pentagon of Brussels. Access to capital, infrastructure and workforce development can help shape this communities economic growth.

The architectural agenda to capture this thesis will be to explore the depth of a block and creating routes through into an educational institute, a theme which parallels the individual journey to self directed growth/ learning. Considering the layout city blocks, one would find Brussels to have a number of deep blocks which are often left undefined. The idea of exploring beyond what is seen at street level or beyond the ‘shop front’ or getting into those deep blocks became intriguing to me and birthed the idea of drawing a viewer into this deep block, curating different routes/ views, and finding a place that cannot be seen from the street side. The exploration of the block would guide the individual to the various programs provided that would enable them to learn, socialise, grow, teach and work towards improving their quality of life and thus impacting the community.

Contact
yemisi.saidi@gmail.com
s.saidi1@student.gsa.ac.uk
linktr.ee
Projects
Self-directed Educational Centre

Self-directed Educational Centre

Location plan

Strategic site plan/ GF plan

Elevation from courtyard

Short section

Typical floor plan

Unfolded elevation

Elevation details

Technology details

Exploded axonometric

Courtyard view

Typical library study

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20

Detail model 1:20