TREE OF LIFE CHILDREN VILLAGE II

Zambia, Africa

• Urban Planning

In partnership with the architectural firm of Raymond Harris, the University of Oklahoma College of Architecture, consulted on the development of a Family Legacy Phase II Children’s Village Master Plan. With the success of the initial project, Family Legacy’s Phase II Development would seek to include lessons learned from successes and shortcomings of the first project. The 2014 (Flagship) multi-disciplined team of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Regional and City Planners completed the project over 8 months.

Gina Sofola and Vanessa Morrison were part of this team and most important trip, that established the reputation and legacy of the University. The work consisted of reconnaissance and field work during the summer and master planning collaboration over the course of 4 months. The team designed a phase II village complete with public spaces, education and recreation spaces, and multiple housing typologies meeting the needs of the various living scenarios within the community.

Through focus groups, staff interviews, tours, design charettes, and the qualitative research engagement tool called Photo Voice, the team developed a masterplan inclusive of housing to meet the needs of various aged children, community spaces to gather and share life in a way that celebrated cultural values of cooperation, educational spaces, and recreational spaces. The team placed special emphasis on understanding the socioeconomic, cultural, political, and health context of the larger community to inform a design and plan that would celebrate and dignify diverse community values without violating or conflicting with Family Legacy’s Christian Values and Humanitarian work.