We continue our work at #EduSENSE: The school in Beșlii

Together with the partners from #better, the Mânzălești local authorities and the Buzău Community Foundation, we set out to change the face of the school in a simple but impactful way. The first step was to replace the old metal mesh fence, rusty and unsuitable for the countryside. Instead, we chose to build a social fence, a beautiful fence, a fence that would bring value not only to the school, but also to the public space.

The second step was taken by the Buzău Community Foundation. In its mission to finance and support local impact initiatives, it facilitated the collaboration between Ursus Breweries and Buzău Land. Thus, Ursus Breweries became not only partner of the Community Foundation, but also of Buzău Land, within this project. Then, #better contacted Cristian Mătăsel and the partners from Metigla with a new DRAG product idea.

Thus, Ursus Breweries and Metigla joined our initiative. Using the sketches made by the #better NGO, Metigla created the DRAG Roof. It is made of a special sheet that covers the wooden roof of the fence. Ursus Breweries offered a sponsorship that allowed the purchase of materials and mobilized almost 20 grants. On October 23, Ursus Breweries volunteers, hardworking and motivated, set to work bringing their contribution to the building of the new fence and the refurbishing of one of the oldest schools in Buzau Land. We worked together to give the community back the meeting space next to the school and at the same time we were able to enjoy some May weather at the end of October.

This is how the first fence began to take shape:

Why the need for a GARD | DRAG (good fence)?

The Fence is our commitment to community involvement. Today, the fence has become, in many cases, a shield of defense, segregation and isolation. For us, the story must be about the limit of public space. Equally, the story is about the interaction between people on either side of the fence.

We want a fence that draws the boundaries of private and public space without blocking communication, visibility and social interaction between people. Equally, we want a fence that is pleasing to the eye that we would keep replicating and finding in a community. Thus, this fence provides continuity, guides, supports our journey and gives us confidence. If the same fence model limits all the properties in a community, it provides consistency and comfort even before interacting with people or the attractions in the area.

This fence becomes an identity element. Furthermore, we must convince the community that variety does not have to be manifested in every detail. We need to show that a unitary “background” will further highlight those details that are truly valuable, and that must remain unique.

A unitary fence means a strong community of households. It means a local style of inestimable value through discipline and simplicity, with a huge investment of will. A unitary fence produces reactions from visitors that will surely reward the effort.

What are the principles of a GARD | DRAG (good Fence)?

At EduSENSE, in Buzău Land, we start from the traditional wooden fence. We add longer "life" to the fence through horizontal metal bars. They replace the horizontal wooden bars, which rot quickly. Also for better weather protection, the fence also has a roof. This roof is inspired by the old foundations: the enclosure of the recints had a roof.

We think very carefully about the height of the fence. The fence must be so small or so high that it does not become a barrier. We want to see the other people behind the fence without interfering to their private space if they don't invite you by opening the gate.

The whitewashed plinth reminds of the cleanliness and simplicity of the old village. You have to keep applying limewash every few months or a year. But no paint compares to the freshness of primordial white, obtained by burning millions of years old rocks. It is bright, fresh, clean. At EduSENSE we also used the lime made at the traditional varnish from the VAR School from Bâscenii de Jos.

We also think about the fact that in the village the household is alive and you always have something to do. It is not a granite statue, but an ecosystem in which you have to feel the presence of the householders in every detail. That is why wood and lime remind us that we are transient and that if we forget to take care of them, they will tell their story with sadness. At the same time, they can radiate prosperity when cared for.

What effect will the GARD | DRAG (good Fence) have?

By building a fence, we generate the model and encourage the community to join and embrace a “line”. This "line" becomes defining, simple, easy to implement. At the same time, it is all the stronger as it becomes a "local custom". A Fence revives the belief that it is possible.

Architecture, along with the landscape heritage, starts from the details that we find difficult to identify today precisely because they are chaotic and individually distributed. Why not find these architectural elements exactly where they might be easiest to reinvent, without significant costs - on a fence?

The Recipe for a GARD | DRAG (good Fence)?

• stone plinth, whitewashed with white paint: 30 cm high, 20 cm wide;
• vertical steel pillars, painted black: 1.1 m height, ~ 5 cm diameter, 3 mm thick steel. The pillars are located at a distance of 1.8 m, necessarily at a vertical pole;
• horizontal bars made of rectangular steel, painted black: 6x4 cm, 2-3 mm thick steel. We weld the bars surface mounted on the vertical poles, with the welding points on the side of 6 cm, with the welding towards the “street” side. The dimensions are 10 cm from the base for the lower bar, and 10 cm from the head of the vertical pillars for the upper bar. Rectangular steel bars are always mounted with bubble level, even on sloping ground. In this case, the fence is made in steps, with high points and low points on segments;
• wooden slabs, painted with clear varnish: 100 cm long, 9 cm wide, 1.8 cm thick. The slabs are mounted on both sides, fastened in horizontal bars with M8 binding head screws. The spaces between the pairs of slabs are equal to the thickness of a slab (1.8 cm);
• two ridged wooden roof: timber 15 cm wide and 2.2 cm thick, triangles cut from slabs with a free base of 28 cm and a slope of 30 degrees. The triangles are fixed between the timbers, about 4-5 on the 2 m segment. They are attached with timber bolts, with the ridge in the middle. Timber planks are attached to each side of the triangle, forming a two ridged roof with a 120 degrees slope;
• tin roof, matte black, skin textured: 2 m length and 2/16.8/16.8/2 cm section pieces, with a 120 degrees (slope of 30 degrees) angle and free base of 28. In other words, DRAG roof from Metigla.