in our meeting, we agreed all the consultants will make a site visit on 1st December 2010. The site visit is intended to do the following:
1. Carry out a preliminary observation of the soil profile (in that respect, we will be requesting Dr Karambu to assist us with a person whom we can coordinate the digging of five (5) (minimum) trial pits in locations to be given by the engineer
2. Carry borehole water (from neighbouring site) and salt water from site for testing. We will request Dr Karambu to arrange for us to get water from the borehole)
3. Get rock and stone samples to study and discuss with yourselves the possible uses and locations of use to guide design
4. Measure the length of the road and take necessary route features for design of the same
5. Obtain (if possible) a block plan for the area and (if possible) isolate the site we will be working on
6. Make detailed site observations with a view to proposing how to space-plan and also accommodate the local community, or provide facility for the local community to access the salt spring after the site is fenced. We realise that they have previously freely accessed the springs
7. Make site observations with a view to gaining an understanding of the flow, direction and magnitude of runoff for storm water drainage design
8. Consider while on site possibilities of accommodating the "green" ideas that you propose (our immediate feeling is that the site may be tight for some of the ideas, especially the water recycling, unless we go mechanical)
9. Appreciate the potential of the site for solar and wind power
10. Identify the location of mains electricity
11. Identify suitable green fencing material and type of fencing posts used in the area (there is a possibility that termites eat away wooden fencing posts)
12. Identify any environmental issues which need to be addressed
13. Appreciate the materials that are predominantly used in the area and identify sources
14. Generally recce the area for any information that may bear on the design and construction, including spaces, methods, cost, and program
We will report to you our findings.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Brief from 11/19/10
RUIRI AMANI HOME
Brief for Teleconference for 3 PM Kenya time, Friday 19th November 2010
Summary of Commonly Agreed Positions To-Date
DUTIES/OBLIGATIONS
Local team (Consultants)
The whole professional team will be employed in Kenya and will follow a traditional route.
Receive ideas for the construction to be incorporated into the Client Brief
Evaluate them at a local level as to how they can be incorporated etc.
Determine the extent of the feasibility study based on those 'wants'.
Respond and make proposals for implementation etc.
Carry out all the concept and detailed designs,
Obtain all consents,
Programming and cost control etc,
Bid documentation
Procurement of contractor
Execution of construction contracts
Supervision (quality, program,
Fees will be 15% of the project Cost (disbursements included, but net of VAT)
Client Team
Agree project objectives and scope
Formulate Client brief and agree as Client team
Give brief including ideas for the construction to be incorporated into the design by the local team
Provide necessary documents (title deed, rates, etc) to facilitate planning
Comment on master plan by making observations about the best place to locate all the buildings on the site
Provide ideas/proposals/designs for innovations to be incorporated in the design e.g. dry stone walls, green roofs, eco-drainage etc
Ideas from Client
Buildings' occupancy & use: Reconfirmation that we want 8 'cottages' and one central building.
Each cottage to house up to 10 children with 1 house mother.
Each cottage to have 2 dormitories and one housemother's room.
Each cottage to have toilet and shower facilities for each dormitory (and also for housemother?).
One communal space for each cottage for children to study/meet/live etc.
The central building to house a small office/reception.
Cooking facilities for the whole community
Washing and laundry facilities.
Etc
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY
Provision of potable water to site,
Site enclosure,
Access road,
Drainage,
Hot water,
Power etc
A.INTRODUCTIONS:
LOCAL CONSULTANTS
Lead Consultant/Quantity Surveyor:
Nyagah Boore Kithinji
Costwise Associates
Architect
Dominic Otengo Motanya
Baseline Architects
Civil / Structural Engineer
Peter Kimari Gitau
Batiment Consulting Engineers
Electrical+Mechanical Engineer
Eric Obare
Steve Boyo
Vekta Consultants
Environmental Impact Assessment Expert
Nicky Munyaka Nzioki (not in conference today)
CLIENT TEAM
Chris Seeley
Lisa Lee Benjamin
Karambu Ringera
Karla Darkin?
Mark Querfuth?
Nick Atken?
B.ROLES/CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION AND COMMAND
Link between Consultants and Client team to be the Lead Consultant
Link between Contractor and Client team to be Lead Consultant
Link between Consultants and Contractors to be direct, under the direction of the Lead Consultant
C.SCHEDULE
To be through with design by end of February, subject to how soon the brief is supplied
CAD drawings
Word documents
PDFs where necessary
ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED BY CLIENT
1. feasibility studies/ survey-
-progress
-questions/findings
-how will be documented..? base survey( need this info from
kithinji)
2.stone symposium/workshop
-schedule
-compensation/details
-local Labor
3. cottage/design
-schedule for cost drawings
-update from mark
4 master plan
-schedule
Brief for Teleconference for 3 PM Kenya time, Friday 19th November 2010
Summary of Commonly Agreed Positions To-Date
DUTIES/OBLIGATIONS
Local team (Consultants)
The whole professional team will be employed in Kenya and will follow a traditional route.
Receive ideas for the construction to be incorporated into the Client Brief
Evaluate them at a local level as to how they can be incorporated etc.
Determine the extent of the feasibility study based on those 'wants'.
Respond and make proposals for implementation etc.
Carry out all the concept and detailed designs,
Obtain all consents,
Programming and cost control etc,
Bid documentation
Procurement of contractor
Execution of construction contracts
Supervision (quality, program,
Fees will be 15% of the project Cost (disbursements included, but net of VAT)
Client Team
Agree project objectives and scope
Formulate Client brief and agree as Client team
Give brief including ideas for the construction to be incorporated into the design by the local team
Provide necessary documents (title deed, rates, etc) to facilitate planning
Comment on master plan by making observations about the best place to locate all the buildings on the site
Provide ideas/proposals/designs for innovations to be incorporated in the design e.g. dry stone walls, green roofs, eco-drainage etc
Ideas from Client
Buildings' occupancy & use: Reconfirmation that we want 8 'cottages' and one central building.
Each cottage to house up to 10 children with 1 house mother.
Each cottage to have 2 dormitories and one housemother's room.
Each cottage to have toilet and shower facilities for each dormitory (and also for housemother?).
One communal space for each cottage for children to study/meet/live etc.
The central building to house a small office/reception.
Cooking facilities for the whole community
Washing and laundry facilities.
Etc
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY
Provision of potable water to site,
Site enclosure,
Access road,
Drainage,
Hot water,
Power etc
A.INTRODUCTIONS:
LOCAL CONSULTANTS
Lead Consultant/Quantity Surveyor:
Nyagah Boore Kithinji
Costwise Associates
Architect
Dominic Otengo Motanya
Baseline Architects
Civil / Structural Engineer
Peter Kimari Gitau
Batiment Consulting Engineers
Electrical+Mechanical Engineer
Eric Obare
Steve Boyo
Vekta Consultants
Environmental Impact Assessment Expert
Nicky Munyaka Nzioki (not in conference today)
CLIENT TEAM
Chris Seeley
Lisa Lee Benjamin
Karambu Ringera
Karla Darkin?
Mark Querfuth?
Nick Atken?
B.ROLES/CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION AND COMMAND
Link between Consultants and Client team to be the Lead Consultant
Link between Contractor and Client team to be Lead Consultant
Link between Consultants and Contractors to be direct, under the direction of the Lead Consultant
C.SCHEDULE
To be through with design by end of February, subject to how soon the brief is supplied
CAD drawings
Word documents
PDFs where necessary
ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED BY CLIENT
1. feasibility studies/ survey-
-progress
-questions/findings
-how will be documented..? base survey( need this info from
kithinji)
2.stone symposium/workshop
-schedule
-compensation/details
-local Labor
3. cottage/design
-schedule for cost drawings
-update from mark
4 master plan
-schedule
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
SITE ANALYSIS CRITICAL PATH
1. get the land surveyed first and beacons established
2. get the architect to begin designing and only do topographical survey to resolve any problem that he may encounter with determination of levels
3. get the civil engineer to design the road as part of his overall commission so that any studies to facilitate design will be part of his design work (which may realise some saving)
4. get the electrical engineer to do his studies as part of his overall commission as the case with the civil engineer
5. do water studies later into the project as part of civil engineering work with outsourcing of laboratory testing
1. get the land surveyed first and beacons established
2. get the architect to begin designing and only do topographical survey to resolve any problem that he may encounter with determination of levels
3. get the civil engineer to design the road as part of his overall commission so that any studies to facilitate design will be part of his design work (which may realise some saving)
4. get the electrical engineer to do his studies as part of his overall commission as the case with the civil engineer
5. do water studies later into the project as part of civil engineering work with outsourcing of laboratory testing
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Ideas Brainstorm
RACH:
Small Houses clusters of 8-10 kids- 1 mother
Two cottages back to back 20 kids- 2 house mothers.. 3 clusters
guest houses:
4- 8 guests
clean/ simple, modern design
resort/nightly stays:
Examples: Azucar, verana, clean simple, natural materials
clean/ systems approach
wadi attir
modern
opportunity to contribute give back
walking paths
pools
SITE: overall
buildings on hills for breeze, one story
earthen/ stone materials, on site materials
Shade structures
water patterns
Programming:
ag site:
soccer field:
outdoor showers
swimming pool
rainwater catchment
constructed wetlands
agriculture/ kitchen garden
energy sun wind
path system flow
community area/ library
Small Houses clusters of 8-10 kids- 1 mother
Two cottages back to back 20 kids- 2 house mothers.. 3 clusters
guest houses:
4- 8 guests
clean/ simple, modern design
resort/nightly stays:
Examples: Azucar, verana, clean simple, natural materials
clean/ systems approach
wadi attir
modern
opportunity to contribute give back
walking paths
pools
SITE: overall
buildings on hills for breeze, one story
earthen/ stone materials, on site materials
Shade structures
water patterns
Programming:
ag site:
soccer field:
outdoor showers
swimming pool
rainwater catchment
constructed wetlands
agriculture/ kitchen garden
energy sun wind
path system flow
community area/ library
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Ruiri Amani Community Home (RACH)
Notes from site visit and discussions on 13th March 2010
Prepared by Mark Querfurth, May 2010
Project Vision
To create a home for orphan and vulnerable children in Ruiri, Meru, Kenya.
The home is to be a good, safe place where the children to live and be cared for. A place from which they can walk to attend local schools. A home that is close to the communities from which the children originate, so that they can maintain contact with their extended families.
The home is to be laid out, designed and operated in such a way that it becomes self-sustaining. The goal is to set it up such that it will not require ongoing external funding into the future. This will involve addressing factors such as energy use, the cultivation of food crops to provide for the children and creating revenue-generating activities that will attract income from outside.
The Site
Location, Size & Ownership
IPI has been offered a site close to Ruiri.
The site is owned by the district council. The site is approximately 10 acres in total area and IPI have been offered the opportunity to select a 5-acre plot within that 10-acre total.
Access roads
The site is accessed via a dirt track that runs off the road from Meru.
Site Boundaries
The site is bounded on the east and west sides by dirt roads. There is a smaller dirt footpath that forms the southern boundary. The northern boundary appears to be less clearly defined. There is a track that crosses the north end of the site.
Character
The site is fairly open, with sparse cover of acacia trees and lower scrubby shrubs and bushes. The south-west corner of the site has been cleared and cultivated. The remainder of the site appears to be used by the people of the local community as common grazing land for their small herds of cattle and goats.
The topsoil appears to be very shallow, overlying limestone. The limestone is exposed on the surface and there are limestone boulders scattered across the site.
Topography
The site is gently sloping from high on the south-east to low in the north.
Water sources
There are three springs at the north-east end of the site. When we visited the springs were flowing but at a low rate. It appears that the animals that graze across the site drink at the springs.
Outline Schedule of Accommodation
The Home
Cottages for the children
Each cottage to provide accommodation for boys and girls and a housemother with a ratio of 10 children to 1 house mother.
Boys’ room
Girls’ room
Boys; bathroom
Girls’ bathroom
Housemother’s room
Housemother’s bathroom
Family room
Verandah
Laundry (external)
The cottages may be built back-to back in pairs such that the housemother’s can cooperate and cover for one another as necessary. Regarding construction economy, this would also offer the opportunity to share plumbing and drainage.
Communal facilities:
Administrative office
Reception
Communal hall
Library
Communal kitchen and bakery
Sports field / sports court for football / basketball
Swimming pool with changing rooms
Revenue-generating activities
Accommodation for visitors
On-site
Type 1- Dormitory-style accommodation for groups of visiting students from Kenya and abroad.
Boys’ dormitory
Girls’ dormitory
Boys bathroom
Girl’s bathroom
2no. teacher’s bedrooms with shared bathroom
Sitting / study room
Type 2 –Rooms for visiting volunteers and interns
Smaller, shared rooms with bathrooms
Off-site
Located on the hillside to the west of the site.
Type 3 – Self-catering holiday cottages for paying tourist guests
Type 4 – Guesthouse offering catered holiday accommodation.
5 double rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms and verandah
Dining room with terrace
Kitchen
Commercial food production
Kitchen and stores for the production of:
Goat cheese
Honey
Dried fruits
Tea
Dried herbs
Craft workshops
Agricultural activities
Fields for growing food crops to supply the kitchen
Chicken coop
Goat sheds
Rabbit hutches
Beehives
Posho mill. This needs to be located at a distance from the home because it makes a lot of noise.
Notes from site visit and discussions on 13th March 2010
Prepared by Mark Querfurth, May 2010
Project Vision
To create a home for orphan and vulnerable children in Ruiri, Meru, Kenya.
The home is to be a good, safe place where the children to live and be cared for. A place from which they can walk to attend local schools. A home that is close to the communities from which the children originate, so that they can maintain contact with their extended families.
The home is to be laid out, designed and operated in such a way that it becomes self-sustaining. The goal is to set it up such that it will not require ongoing external funding into the future. This will involve addressing factors such as energy use, the cultivation of food crops to provide for the children and creating revenue-generating activities that will attract income from outside.
The Site
Location, Size & Ownership
IPI has been offered a site close to Ruiri.
The site is owned by the district council. The site is approximately 10 acres in total area and IPI have been offered the opportunity to select a 5-acre plot within that 10-acre total.
Access roads
The site is accessed via a dirt track that runs off the road from Meru.
Site Boundaries
The site is bounded on the east and west sides by dirt roads. There is a smaller dirt footpath that forms the southern boundary. The northern boundary appears to be less clearly defined. There is a track that crosses the north end of the site.
Character
The site is fairly open, with sparse cover of acacia trees and lower scrubby shrubs and bushes. The south-west corner of the site has been cleared and cultivated. The remainder of the site appears to be used by the people of the local community as common grazing land for their small herds of cattle and goats.
The topsoil appears to be very shallow, overlying limestone. The limestone is exposed on the surface and there are limestone boulders scattered across the site.
Topography
The site is gently sloping from high on the south-east to low in the north.
Water sources
There are three springs at the north-east end of the site. When we visited the springs were flowing but at a low rate. It appears that the animals that graze across the site drink at the springs.
Outline Schedule of Accommodation
The Home
Cottages for the children
Each cottage to provide accommodation for boys and girls and a housemother with a ratio of 10 children to 1 house mother.
Boys’ room
Girls’ room
Boys; bathroom
Girls’ bathroom
Housemother’s room
Housemother’s bathroom
Family room
Verandah
Laundry (external)
The cottages may be built back-to back in pairs such that the housemother’s can cooperate and cover for one another as necessary. Regarding construction economy, this would also offer the opportunity to share plumbing and drainage.
Communal facilities:
Administrative office
Reception
Communal hall
Library
Communal kitchen and bakery
Sports field / sports court for football / basketball
Swimming pool with changing rooms
Revenue-generating activities
Accommodation for visitors
On-site
Type 1- Dormitory-style accommodation for groups of visiting students from Kenya and abroad.
Boys’ dormitory
Girls’ dormitory
Boys bathroom
Girl’s bathroom
2no. teacher’s bedrooms with shared bathroom
Sitting / study room
Type 2 –Rooms for visiting volunteers and interns
Smaller, shared rooms with bathrooms
Off-site
Located on the hillside to the west of the site.
Type 3 – Self-catering holiday cottages for paying tourist guests
Type 4 – Guesthouse offering catered holiday accommodation.
5 double rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms and verandah
Dining room with terrace
Kitchen
Commercial food production
Kitchen and stores for the production of:
Goat cheese
Honey
Dried fruits
Tea
Dried herbs
Craft workshops
Agricultural activities
Fields for growing food crops to supply the kitchen
Chicken coop
Goat sheds
Rabbit hutches
Beehives
Posho mill. This needs to be located at a distance from the home because it makes a lot of noise.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
programming/ brainstorming
Just a brief summary of the first home:
The Kithoka Amani (Peace) Community Home (KACH) is a way for orphans to have a safe and secure home in which they can expect to have their living, academic, social, health, and emotional needs met through a holistic and community-based approach. This home is not an orphanage, and the children are not taken away from their communities. Because this home is located within the community that the orphans currently live in, it allows them to continue to attend their local school and enables them to continue their close relationships with extended families.
International Peace Initiative – Northern Kenya
Over the last few years, Skansen has been working with IPI [www.ipeacei.org] to uplift the spirit and living standards of the local people by empowering them to raise their long-term quality of life. Skansen is the project manager for the Amani Community Home programme wiht the objective of designing and building at least 5 sustainable local Community Homes around the town of Meru. Staffed by community volunteers, these homes will provide local housing for orphans [largely due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic] throughout their education and also act as medical dispensaries. Built on land donated by local villages, once these homes are established, they will become self-financing beacons for sustainable economic development. Thus far we have channelled £125,000 through the Skansen Foundation in support of the community home programme and made numerous visits to Meru to assist with the construction works. Amani Home No1 (KACH) opens August 2009.
climate: dry desert
flora: acacia, scrub
stone: limestone?
temp: hot/ cold range( have to double check) but is 32F to 100F
land topography:5 acres: relatively flat/ rolling to the east
water:2 potable springs
programming:
village style homes with 6-8 kids each?? one story
bathrooms/ shower
kitchen
dining
meeting space for 100 people
gardens
solar/ wind energy ( have already been working with a dutch guy on this)
develop springs for bathing/ protection, farming
waste treatment system
crafts area
play area/ BB court/ skate ramp
accommodations for interns
eco resort houses (3)
plumbing inside
baths
close to springs
view
key words:
simple, light, playful, natural, safe, warm, comfortable, beauty, open, creative, inspiring, organic, oasis
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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