Local Project Challenge - Women in Fabrication at Zayed College for Girls

Abstract

Women in Fabrication is a collaborative platform that empowers female high school students, architecture students and young architects through design and construction. The project partnered with Zayed College for Girls to improve its built environment and interface with the community, by constructing a pavilion near the school entrance where students can wait for their parents after school. To ensure the users of the space have an active voice in the project, workshops were held in the college, where students learned about basic principles of design and technology, provided input on the most suitable location of the pavilion and developed concept designs for this structure. They were mentored by female architecture students and young architects, as well as their everyday teachers. The design process celebrated the rich cultural diversity that is part of this community, including the application of Te Aranga principles that honour New Zealand’s indigenous culture, as well as the integration of Islamic traditions that are an integral part of the school’s philosophy. The discussions, concepts and ideas from the workshops will inform the final design of the pavilion. The pavilion will then be designed and constructed by a group of female architecture students and professionals, using digital fabrication technology to maximize efficiency and minimize waste of resources. The fabrication stage will also strengthen teamwork and leadership skills for women architects and students.