ORPHANED & CHILDREN’s ECO-VILLAGE SOY, KENYA The aim of the project is to create a conducive place to learn, play and live for the Ken-yan orphans. The Children Eco-Village design is inspired by traditional Kenyan Maasai architecture that emphasizes on the spirit of community, robust in-between spaces and the use of local materials. We took reference from the native architecture and local materials and created a setting where the children could find a sense of belonging and happiness. The design reinvents traditional form to suit the need of a large institutional and housing facilities by innovating on appropriate local building material and technology. It is planned as a self-sustaining village with the clear zoning of programs. The public area like training center, community hall, and farm are located near the front of the property. Homes for the orphans are toward the back protected by the schools and farm in between. A wide circulation spine links all components together and increases the legibility and accessibility within the site. This 'Interaction spine' is the place where children will interact, play and learn. The village will provide homes for 100 orphaned children and education facilities for more than 500 children. It will serve as a sister campus to the existing One Heart Village located nearby in Turbo, which has care facilities for 75 children and education facilities for 200 children. Schools and homes are laid out in circular clusters and each cluster represents a unique program. The center of a cluster (home/school) is a large shaded open courtyard for outdoor learning and playing. The abundance of in-between spaces between the circular classrooms promote informal learning and encourage interaction. Classrooms and bedrooms are designed according to the local climate. Shaded clay brick wall with big window openings cool down the classroom by inducing cross-ventilation during the hot day. At night, heat absorbed by the bedroom concrete block wall help to keep the interior warm. Sustainable material like bamboo is explored as a structural element. New bamboo starter plants are planted at the perimeter of the site to be harvested for future construction. The inspiration behind the design was to create a place where the children who will live there could feel at home. O2DA believes Architecture can be about more than good design by positively contributing to society and helping to improve lives. O2 Design Atelier will work with Melbourne-based architectural firm Clare Hopkins Clarke to deliver the project.The One Heart Foundation Construction is currently working on fundraising initiatives to fund the first stage of the development. Construction of the new village will start in early 2018.