SAVE OUR SOULS

CHILDREN`S VILLAGE LAHORE

They ask you about the right way of dealing with orphans. Say the right is that which is for their good.
AL-BAQARAH-220
" The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of
all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it
can fully assume its responsibilities within the community
Convention on the rights of the child

States parties recognize the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the childs physical,
mental, spiritual, moral and social development
Convention on the rights of the child article 27

ABSTRACT

Architecture supports and facilitates all human endeavors of life and living. The thoughtful and integrated
architecture is a sober, modern interpretation of vernacular traditions, employing locally available building
materials. Culturally and aesthetically, it sets a precedent for the creation of a new architecture that looks to the
future and acknowledges the past.
This report is regarding the design of SOS Villages Peshawar - An institution dedicated for the betterment and
raising the orphaned or abandoned children by providing them with a substitute to the family they have lost. The
thesis is aimed at creating a pleasant and attractive sustainable environment scaled to the needs of children
keeping in view the cultural and social demands of the area. The eventual outcome of this report shall be an
energy efficient village designed to provide care for orphans in family homes rather than in large, impersonal
institutions, creating generous communal outdoor areas, shaded spaces and gardens which shall serve as safe
and calm playgrounds for the children and form a desirable oasis within the harsh realities of life.
The report is structured in the following fashion: A brief introduction along with the importance of such villages
to provide support to the children is discussed in the beginning. Moreover, the main divisions of the village are
discussed. This is followed by the various research aspects that are expected to be covered during the course of
the project. The major areas of study are then outlined with all the important research questions that would be
pondered upon. An outline of the clients brief and the architecture brief is also given. Later the methodology of
carrying out the research is outlined. Then at the end the expected outcome follows with a bibliography.

INTRODUCTION

" The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of
all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it
can fully assume its responsibilities within the community
Convention on the rights of the child
SOS Children's Villages is a private, non-political welfare organization whose goal is to offer orphaned and
abandoned children - regardless of race, ethnic group or creed - a permanent home environment by providing a
substitute for the family they have lost, and to prepare them for an independent life ahead.
The fundamental child development philosophy of SOS Children's Villages is based on the following 4
principles established by Hermann Gmeiner. They are "The Mother", "Brothers and Sisters", "House" and
"Village. During the design of SOS Village Peshawar, the basic international guidelines of the SOS village
shall be followed with certain adaptations and policy revisions to suit the religious and cultural demands of the
society.
Each village consists of between 15 20 homes. A full-time trained village director supervises the village. The
village director represents the fatherly element in the lives of the children. He and the mothers of each house are
assisted by resident social workers and educators. As well as the houses in the village, there are normally also
other facilities, such as a library, recreation hall and administration centre. The families share experience and
offer one another a helping hand. Children attend local schools and mosques and participate in sporting
functions to integrate them into the wider community. They also live as integrated and contributing members of
the local community.
Every SOS family comprising of the mother and about 8 to 10 children, has its own house Girls and boys of
different ages live together as brothers and sisters, with biological brothers and sisters always staying within the
same SOS family., which is a new, permanent home for every child, with its own unique feeling, rhythm and
routine. Under its roof, children enjoy a real sense of security and belonging. The house is run independently by
the mother who budgets and shops for her family. Children grow and learn together, sharing responsibilities and
all the joys and sorrows of daily life
Children in the villages grow up in what experts consider being the next-best setting to a natural family.
A s mentioned earlier a typical SOS Children's Village family in developing countries usually have eight to
ten children. Since it is a major issue that the siblings should not be separated hence some families might

temporarily have more children. Unfortunately the segregation of male and female children after a certain age is
necessary conforming to the social setup of Pakistan as well as considering the Mehram and Namehram
concept in Islam. However it would be recommended that children of both sexes till the age of 12 be kept
together so that siblings can spend some part of their lives together.
Later they can be shifted to other SOS house where there is sex segregation keeping in mind the cultural and
religious setup pertaining within Pakistan. The female child however, would continue living in the same house
till she gets married. She would not only act as a motherly figure to her siblings but would also help her SOS
Mother in house chores and in maintaining the discipline of the house. The strong interaction between the
communities would help girls and boys stay in touch with their SOS family.
"If anyone strokes an orphan's head, doing so only for Allah's sake, he will have blessings for every hair over
which his hand passes; and if anyone treats well an orphan girl or boy under his care, he and I shall be like these
two in Paradise," putting two of his fingers together.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith Hadith 4974Narrated by:AbuUmamah
A brief peek into an SOS village is a facility is as under:

A trained village director heads the institution also acts as a father to SOS Children.

SOS mothers are selected with utmost care and work for a probation period of several months1 before
their two-year training at a mothers training school.

A permanent professional commission (Village commission) usually composed of a psychologist, a

doctor, an educator, a minister, and a village director, deals with the various problems affecting the
mothers and children.

A diagnostic and treatment center is available for first aid if need be.

SOS mothers are relieved of many of the usual domestic responsibilities so that they can devote as
much time as possible to the children.

The village handyman sees that the buildings are kept in proper condition and family helpers known as
aunts take the mothers place in case of illness or when she is away for a day.

A vocational center is provided within the campus so that children are equipped with some skills to
sustain themselves

Apart from the various skills training these children are sent to schools for education. The schools are
decided according to the capability of the child and the resources present in the village.
"Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and
vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate
measures such as introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need
Convention on the rights of the child article 27

1 6 months approximately.

RESEARCH ASPECTS

Analysis of different phases of development of psyche children through an understanding of their

psychological, physical, social and educational needs to create comfortable spaces and attractive
environment for them to grow.

Sustainable - Energy Efficient Environment to support less consumption of resources and energy
consumption and creating a pleasant and comfortable microclimate within the site.

Effects of Mother Nature Landscaping on the growth and psyche of children. Moreover, study on
design parameters to help a child get closer to the Mother Nature which is the best healer in itself.

DELIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

Cost of construction is one of the delimitations of the project and is not taken under account while designing and
the main emphasis has been kept on the 3 research aspects.

AREAS OF STUDY (SCOPE OF WORK)

Rehabilitation of the abandoned and destitute children through study of their living conditions and
identifying their problems and to prepare him to function as independently as possible for the later life.

To research on welfare of children and consulting social welfare to arrange for implementation of such
recommendations.

To study the psychological, physical, social and educational needs of children to help create such
environment which would help the neglected child integrate into a new family in a comfortable
manner.

To research on issues of identity and personalization of space

To study the space requirements and space standards for an institution dealing with abandoned and
destitute children of similar age group to create comfortable space for them to grow.

To research on boarding, food, training, employment and rehabilitation or orphans so that this research
be incorporated in the design.

To study the role of an SOS Mother, brothers and sisters, a Home and a village in the eyes of an orphan
and the SOS Authority? And to draw a comparison between the two.

To study how to create Energy Efficient Environment for the comfort of such children in order to
minimize energy consumption and to make the building Environmental Friendly.

To study the impact of Colors and Landscaping on the growth of children in order to design an
atmosphere which would support positive impact on the psyche of the children.

Comparative study of orphans along with the development of other children who lead a settled life so
that such an environment may be achieved with minimum differences between the two.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What are the social problems faced by the abandoned and destitute children in our society?

What are the psychological, physical, social and educational needs of the orphans?

What sort of environment should be created which would help the neglected child integrate into a new
family in a comfortable manner and function as independently as possible?

What is personalization of space and how to achieve it in an SOS village?

What are the space requirements and space standards for an institution dealing with abandoned and
destitute children of similar age group to create comfortable space for them to grow?

How to draw comparison between the image of an SOS Mother, brothers and sisters, a home and a
village in the eyes of an orphan ,the SOS Authority and the local public? And how to benefit from this
comparison and design a comfortable environment to satisfy all stakeholders.

What is the line dividing SOS Kindergarten from SOS Children village and SOS Children village from
SOS Youth houses and how can the transfer of children to these different stages made more
comfortable? What should be the maximum size of an SOS family which would help each child benefit
from the training and care provided and not leaves him with any the psychological, physical, social and
educational deficiency?

What sort of measures should be taken to create Energy Efficient Environment for the comfort of
such children in order to minimize energy consumption and to make the building Environmental
Friendly?

What is the impact of Colors and Landscaping on the growth of children in order to design an
atmosphere, which would support positive impact on the psyche of the children?

What measures should be taken to equip the child with the necessary skills to lead an independent life
and integrate the orphan child with society so that he does not suffer from lack of a normal family?

ARCHITECTS BRIEF

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals
proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance,
freedom, equality and solidarity

Convention on the rights of the child

OBJECTIVES

To create well defined generous communal outdoor areas, gazebos and gardens which serve as safe and
calm playgrounds for the children.

To create such environment which would help the neglected child integrate into a new family in a
comfortable manner and cater their psychological, physical, social and educational needs.

To fully understand the issues of identity and personalization of space and to implement it in my
design.

To study the space requirements and space standards for an institution dealing with abandoned and
destitute children of similar age group to create comfortable space for them to grow.

To create Energy Efficient Environment for the comfort of such children in order to minimize energy
consumption and to make the building Environmental Friendly.

To create an atmosphere through appropriate color usage in the design and landscaping (introducing
fruit trees and attracting birds) to support positive impact on the psyche of the children. To help the
child get closer to the Mother Nature which is the best healer in itself.

To do a comparative study between orphans and children who lead a normal life with biological
parents, in order to achieve an environment closer to that of a natural family.

To create an environment this would help child integrate in life.

To facilitate the learning of a child by designing a suitable vocational center, to equip the child with the
necessary skills to lead an independent life.