With a view to promoting skills development programs for social impact, 'Archstorming' and 'Somos del Mundo' organized this architectural competition for a Pre-school located on a plot 1km from the main road, connecting the cites of Xai Xai and Chongoene in the Gaza province of south-western Mozambique.

A. Aspiration [vision]- The proposal is aimed at creating safe, accessible learning spaces that are rooted in the tradition of narrated, open learning and strengthening the notions of making, gathering, and teaching within the local community. An endemic connection between the landscape, learning and architecture is explored through the notion of an eroded canopy over a natural landscape, where earth is shaped to protect and shield against the elements.

 B. Individual character & expression- Acoustics, light, texture, and massing characterize the classrooms, making for easily identifiable spaces for both hearing and visually impaired learners. Learning and play spaces are interchangeable and scalable. Each classroom aligns to a courtyard allowing for expansion as required. These ‘owned’ spaces allow for easy, passive surveillance by teachers, whilst the purposeful activation of the peripheral spaces assist in countering any potential for bullying and aggressive anti-social behavior.

 C. Program [mechanism for engagement]- Entrance to the multi-functional gathering space is defensible and serves as a threshold for engagement between public and private. Gatherings & local community functions can occur without any security or operational impact to the functioning of the school. A central axis connects all the learning and play spaces. These are further separated by means of terraced platforms that follow the slope of the natural landscape, terminating in a protected free play area that houses physical learning installations that can be reprogrammed as needed.

 D. Ecology [mechanism for making]- Local climatic conditions were of influence in the early conceptual stages. The large roof area provides for maximum shade and PV panel potential. Cross ventilation is encouraged through a consistent separation between elements & heat gain/loss is mitigated by the solidity of wall to the west. A rainwater collection system is proposed for use of irrigation and flushing of toilets. Rainwater is channeled through gutters, troughs & catch-pits that terminate in a retention pond at the bottom of the site. This can then be routed to the storage tanks located at the high point of the site. We propose a collaborative approach to making and using with local skills & building technologies driving the final design resolution.

 E. Lasting social impact- Not only does the formalizing of space through architecture make for an improved learning experience, but it provides a forum for social engagement between all sectors of the local community, teacher, pupil, parent and the public at large.