Anna Heringer facts for kids
Anna Heringer (born October 13, 1977) is a famous architect. She is known for building amazing structures that are good for the planet. Anna uses local materials like mud and bamboo. She also works closely with communities to help them build their own spaces. Her projects are all over the world, from Bangladesh to Austria. They are admired for being beautiful, useful, and kind to the environment. One of her most famous buildings is the METI Handmade School in Rudrapur, Bangladesh.
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Biography: Anna Heringer's Journey
Anna Heringer grew up in Laufen, a town in southern Germany. She studied architecture in Linz, Austria, and finished her studies in 2004. Her interest in Bangladesh began in 1997. She spent a year there doing volunteer work. During this time, she learned about helping communities grow in a way that lasts. She realized that the best way to succeed is to use what is already available. This means using local resources instead of relying on outside help.
Since then, Anna has visited Bangladesh every year. In 2004, she started working on her university project, "School: handmade in Bangladesh." She helped raise money and then built her ideas in Rudrapur, Bangladesh. This project became the METI Handmade School. Local people helped build it using mud and bamboo, which are common materials there. The school was finished in 2006.
Anna has worked on other projects too. These include the DESI (Dipshikha Electrical Skill Improvement) vocational school. This school teaches people to be electricians and was finished in 2008. She also built a Training Centre for Sustainability in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2010. Since 2004, Anna Heringer has given many talks at universities and conferences. She now lives in Salzburg, Austria.
Anna Heringer's work has been shown in famous places. These include the MoMA museum in New York and the Venice Biennale. She also designed new buildings for the Longquan International Biennale in China. This event invites architects to build unique structures every two years.
Projects: Building with Nature
Through her projects, Anna Heringer wants to help local builders. She wants them to feel proud of using traditional building methods. This helps them prepare for the future. She also tries to keep nature in balance. She avoids building methods that harm the environment. Her projects in Bangladesh have shown a new way to build sustainably. They use local materials and the skills of local workers.
METI Handmade School: A School from the Earth
The METI Handmade School is a primary school for 168 students. It uses local building styles and materials. But it also adds new ideas for strength and efficiency. For example, they improved how bamboo structures were put together. This allowed them to add a second floor to the building. Brick foundations were used to protect the mud walls from moisture. Local craftspeople made the bricks. The rest of the building was a team effort. Architects, teachers, students, and local people all worked together.
DESI Vocational School: Learning with Solar Power
The DESI vocational school teaches people to be electricians. It is special because it uses solar energy for power. It is also the first mud building in Bangladesh to have indoor plumbing. This project was an extension of the METI school. Local students and craftspeople helped build it. The goal was for them to learn skills they could use in their own region. Mud and bamboo were the main materials. They added a strong foundation and damp-proofing for stability. No machines were used in building, except for cows mixing earth, water, and rice straw. The building has two classrooms and apartments for instructors. It also has bathrooms for students. Plumbing is usually hard to add in mud buildings. It often needs concrete or brick structures.
Training Center for Sustainable Construction: A Model for the Future
The Training Center for Sustainable Construction is in Marrakesh, Morocco. It also uses local skills and materials. These include earth, wood, and ceramics. This project is seen as a possible model for other buildings in Morocco and beyond.
Anandaloy Building: A Place for Everyone
Anna Heringer also designed the Anandaloy Building. This building is in northern Bangladesh. It is a center for people with disabilities. It also has a textile studio.
Awards: Recognizing Great Work
Anna Heringer has won many important awards for her work:
- Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2007) for the METI School.
- Bronze for Africa and Middle East, Regional Holcim Awards competition (2011) for the Training Center in Marrakesh.
- Global Award for Sustainable Architecture (2011).
- Obel Award for the Anandaloy Building.
See also
In Spanish: Anna Heringer para niños
