Design-Build Project for Rooftop Learning Center in Atucucho, Ecuador

Faculty members from the McWhorter School of Building Science and the School of Industrial and Graphic Design collaborated on a service-learning project to design and construct a rooftop learning center on the roof of the daycare center in Atucucho, Ecuador. In 2001, several churches in the Southeastern US, SIFAT, and the local Ecuadorian mothers’ organization initiated plans to construct a daycare center to administer to the needs of local children. Though their efforts, the daycare center (Little Seeds of God) was constructed and became operational in 2004. Over the years, the daycare has continued to expand its services for local children as well as providing employment for members of the community.

The goal of the design was to allow the school to provide an opportunity learn in fresh air environment while at the same time being protected from the weather and the equatorial sun. To realize this goal, faculty and students designed a canopy to cover and protect the existing rooftop playground as well as provide graphics for the learning center. Faculty and students worked with a local contractor to install the canopy in October 2019. The project was funded by a grant from the McWhorter Fund for Excellence.

Alan Bugg is Assistant Professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science. David Smith is Assistant Professor in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. The research team would also like to acknowledge the assistance and support of Scott Kramer of the McWhorter School of Building Science, SIFAT (Servants in Faith and Technology) and the McWhorter School of Building Science students.