Tsai Design Studio Case Study
Focused Research – Local Designer
Tsai Design Studio – Social Context
Tsai Design Studio was established in 2005 and is based in Cape Town, South Africa. They are a design studio and architectural practice which focuses on graphic, furniture, architectural and interior design as well as making use of multidiscipline in most of their designs.
Some of the major awards that this design company has won in the past are: International Red Dot Award South African finalist in the “International Young Design Entrepreneur Award” sponsored by the British Council The Nested Bunk Beds were voted in 2008 by the South African public “The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa”
Origin Coffee Roasting with Metropolis Design
Location: Cape Town, South Africa …show more content…
The school consists of three classrooms which are separated by covered outdoor areas which could be used for either playtime (for the children) or for teaching. The entire structure is made from stabilized and compressed earth blocks, concrete beams and steel bars. The ceilings are also made of earth blocks. While designing and constructing the building the climate was also taken into consideration – the roof is made up of corrugated metal sheeting placed on steel trusses allowing for cool air to flow freely through. The roof also has a large overhang which allows for shade and “climate comfort.” The reason for the use of the earthed walls is because they absorb heat which allows for the classrooms to stay cool during the hot days. During the process of building the structures the locals were taught how to use a handsaw and a welding machine – therefore helping to construct the building. Due to the community’s interest, neighbouring villages began to take an interest and built their own schools …show more content…
In the centre of the design is a tower also made up of concentrated hemp which is able to act as “traditional hut for a nuclear family.” It doesn’t let in much light and gives off a rusty appearance due to the corten steel floor. This area serves as a “memorial to tragedies such as the Srebrenica genocide.” Inside is a “tree of messages” which is meant to create a contrast between nature and war. Kéré focuses on the connection between nature and family. After the tower is a room called the “Room of Witnesses” which is the complete opposite of the feeling given off in the tower. Here the focus is on transparency and hope. It concentrates on the importance of the testimonies by eyewitnesses. “The use of simple materials here is to emphasise the fundamental connection between the family, roots and nature, and thus the great importance of the difficult search for the
Tsai Design Studio – Social Context
Tsai Design Studio was established in 2005 and is based in Cape Town, South Africa. They are a design studio and architectural practice which focuses on graphic, furniture, architectural and interior design as well as making use of multidiscipline in most of their designs.
Some of the major awards that this design company has won in the past are: International Red Dot Award South African finalist in the “International Young Design Entrepreneur Award” sponsored by the British Council The Nested Bunk Beds were voted in 2008 by the South African public “The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa”
Origin Coffee Roasting with Metropolis Design
Location: Cape Town, South Africa …show more content…
The school consists of three classrooms which are separated by covered outdoor areas which could be used for either playtime (for the children) or for teaching. The entire structure is made from stabilized and compressed earth blocks, concrete beams and steel bars. The ceilings are also made of earth blocks. While designing and constructing the building the climate was also taken into consideration – the roof is made up of corrugated metal sheeting placed on steel trusses allowing for cool air to flow freely through. The roof also has a large overhang which allows for shade and “climate comfort.” The reason for the use of the earthed walls is because they absorb heat which allows for the classrooms to stay cool during the hot days. During the process of building the structures the locals were taught how to use a handsaw and a welding machine – therefore helping to construct the building. Due to the community’s interest, neighbouring villages began to take an interest and built their own schools …show more content…
In the centre of the design is a tower also made up of concentrated hemp which is able to act as “traditional hut for a nuclear family.” It doesn’t let in much light and gives off a rusty appearance due to the corten steel floor. This area serves as a “memorial to tragedies such as the Srebrenica genocide.” Inside is a “tree of messages” which is meant to create a contrast between nature and war. Kéré focuses on the connection between nature and family. After the tower is a room called the “Room of Witnesses” which is the complete opposite of the feeling given off in the tower. Here the focus is on transparency and hope. It concentrates on the importance of the testimonies by eyewitnesses. “The use of simple materials here is to emphasise the fundamental connection between the family, roots and nature, and thus the great importance of the difficult search for the