Sana Garner

Story Connection is a 7,000-square-foot learning and wellness center for internally displaced women in Khartoum, Sudan. The parameters of this project were to identify a group of women in one of a few cities, develop the concept of a non-governmental organization to help correct gender disparity issues, and design a physical space for the NGO. Initial studies included research about internally displaced Sudanese women, developing conceptual models of connected objects through space, differentiating public from private zones, and identifying local sustainable construction materials. 

The intention of Story Connection is to create opportunities where women can feel safe, both interacting and finding solitude. Curved walls and open entryways create a feeling of being enveloped by the space. The building is made of locally produced brick, making it ecologically sound and physically secure. Brick, perforated brick screen, plastered walls, and glass differentiate public from private spaces. A matrix of skylights is a literal metaphor for connection. The skylights provide women with opportunities to look up and reflect on themselves within the larger context of life and their own humanity. Glazing extrudes at the intersection of the skylights and walls, creating a visual connection between rooms and bringing daylight down to human scale. Gardens at the entrance and in the rear create a natural place for retreat.