RISING FROM THE ASHES: Humanitarian engineering as response to the Volcanic Eruption of La Soufriere in St Vincent and the Grenadines

 

I LOVE SHARING GOOD NEWS, specially after months of nerve-wracking news [COVID19, Volcanic eruption, ash fall, torrential rains, floods, lahars, tens of thousands of refugees, a tropical storm...]

I am thrilled to announce that all the hard work carried out over the last months as the Operation Support Specialist for GER3 [Global emergency, Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction] has given its fruits and.....

We have SECURED a generous GRANT from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy [CDP] towards our Community Recovery and Reconstruction project which includes community capacity building, implementation of new sustainable livelihoods, circular economy up-cycling of materials & resources [including volcanic ash] and finally building back better by designing resilient engineered solutions and training local teams within the most vulnerable communities.

Would you like to get additional details about this amazing project?

Would you like to support this holistic project by volunteering your time?

Please do not hesitate to contact me at karla.pazsans@ger3.org

For DONATIONS towards this project, please go to GER3 website. [www.ger3.org]

Awarded naturally smart low-cost breathable Hospital in Kaedi [Mauritania]

#LOCALMATERIALS #COMMUNITY #EMPOWERMENT #DEVELOPMENT #NATURAL

#SKILLS #HANDMADE #LOWCOST #ECOEFFECTIVEARCHITECTURE 

#LOWENERGY #BIOCLIMATIC #TENSEGRITY #VERNACULAR

#BREATHABLEFABRIC #SMARTDESIGN

  

Location: Kaedi, Mauritania

Architect/Planner: Fabrizio Carola

Architecture Firm: A.D.A.U.A.

Client: Ministry of Health - Mauritania

Date: 1989

Kaedi is located in a remote sector of Mauritania, near the border of Senegal. Its hospital serves a rural population. The extension adds 120 beds to the hospital, an operating theater complex, pediatric, surgical and ophthalmic departments, a maternity and general medical unit, a laundry, kitchens, storerooms, a garage, and a workshop. The architects were not to replicate the earlier hospital's conventional concrete-frame buildings; their brief was to house the planned facilities by developing new LOW COST TECHNIQUES of construction employing LOCAL MATERIALS AND SKILLS, that would be applicable to other building types within the region. All workmen were local, TRAINED on the site to perform the new techniques. Although the use of brick is not a part of the local vernacular, the architects chose to develop a structural vocabulary of HAND MADE BRICK, fired in kilns built near the source of clay. The structural repertoire that emerged, after on-site experimentation with a number of domes and vaults, included simple domes, complex domes, conventional half-domes, pod-shaped spaces, and self-supporting pointed arches which form winding circulation corridors. The overall plan for the hospital extension was derived from these forms. Adequate natural light enters the complex through glass blocks set into the brickwork and from interstices left between the brick arches. The response of both doctors and patients has been positive, and the COMMUNITY takes pride in the fact that the medical facility was built by their own people. Recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, 1995 The jury believes that the innovative construction techniques introduced may have wide significance, particularly since the successful functioning of the hospital should encourage similar initiatives elsewhere. (Source: AKTC)

bamboo architecture for holistic education

Green School [Bali]

bits of wisdom: regenerative development and effectiveness

Renowned sustainable architect and designer, Bill Reed, gives a presentation entitled

 "From Sustainability through Regeneration: 

Whole and Living System Design"

 at the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance's Green, Healthy Schools conference 

on November 4, 2010

"Building on the visionary work of John T. Lyle and many others, Bill Reed and the team at Regenesis have developed a coherent design framework for regenerative development. It describes the progressive integration of deeper levels of learning from nature, to the imitation, restoration and tending of nature. There is a step-change in our effectiveness as we shift our perception towards participation, and we become fully conscious again of the fact that we are nature and as such, capable of design as nature. I believe that this re-conciliatory step of acknowledging our participatory agency in the complexity of nature is absolutely crucial if we hope to create a regenerative human presence on planet Earth." 

Daniel Christian Wahl

"If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask. For once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes."

 Albert Einstein

"To make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offence or the disadvantage of anyone."

R. Buckminster Fuller

"To simply design for sustainability is no longer enough; we need to design for regeneration. Collectively, as a species, we already have done too much damage to simply aim for sustainability — what William McDonough calls "100 percent less bad." We have to undo the damage done over centuries — in some cases over millennia. We have to regenerate healthy ecosystems functions everywhere. To be able to do this well, we have to become good at designing as nature."

+++ Info>>>

eKuazion #mcdonough

eKuazion #Einstein  

eKuazion #BuckministerFuller

http://www.theecologist.org 

https://www.greenbiz.com

daniel-christian-wahl

PROTOTYPING FOR DEVELOPMENT : GHANA - CROWD-FUNDING CAMPAIGN

https://www.gofundme.com/PROTOTYPE-GHANA16

Are you ready for a life-changing experience? 

Do you want to be part of an international cooperative project where your actions have a direct positive impact on other’s lives?

How can YOU become ESSENTIAL for the project success?  It is easy, there are two ways of getting involved: 

1. FROM YOUR HOME:  

a.       SHARE THE INFORMATION: Please help us share the information: the more people know about the project the more chances we have for this campaign to be successful

b.       SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE: Send us your opinion, your ideas, share your expertise and knowledge

c.       PLEASE DONATE!! However small or big.

          CHECK OUT the exclusive REWARDS 

2. ON SITE:  

We are inviting all student or graduates in architecture, engineering, design or anyone passionate with sustainable architecture, ecology and development, adventurers and social volunteers to PARTICIPATE in this life-changing experience. The Eco-effective architecture workshop is a hands-on full-on site-specific opportunity and it promises high-impact learning and a UNIQUE experience for personal and professional development for both local and international participants.

This is the challenge:

WHEN 

1/06/16 to 30/07/16 

WHERE

Abetenim, Ejisu-Juaben District [GHANA]

WHAT

Prototype House

HOW

The goal is to develop an engineered SOLUTION which is the most EFFECTIVE in its context, has a POSITIVE incidence in both the ENVIRONMENT and the COMMUNITY and whose TECHNOLOGY and KNOWLEDGE can be easily REPLICATED LOCALLY.

Main strategies:

# FREE CLEAN POWER: Solar Energy

#  FREE CLEAN WATER: Rain water collection, storage and healthy treatment

#  UP-CYCLING of materials(bio-sphere/techno-sphere) 

#  Zero WASTE

#  Local EMPOWERING

#  BIOCLIMATIC design

#  LOW COST building

 This project aims to provide a model that is not only OFF-GRID and self-sufficient but it also generates MORE CLEAN ENERGY AND CLEAN WATER than it needs so it will benefit the ones living in and also the surrounding community. This is what we call a POSITIVE FOOTPRINT and this is what this PROTOTYPE is about. 

ECO-EFFECTIVENESS is a positive agenda for the conception and production of architecture that enables a triple top line growth by incorporating SOCIAL, ECONOMIC and ENVIRONMENTAL benefit.

Please check LINKS below for additional information:

- Facebook event: Eco-Effective Architecture Workshop 

- NKA Foundation web page www.nkafoundation.org 

- TAP (The Architects Project)  www.medium.com/tap-blog/interview 

The FULL amount raised will go to: 

A. SALARIES: £2000

#  We want to offer the people from Abetenim who will be involved in the project wages above the average amount they currently receive [Ghc25 = £5 / Ghc55 = £10 per day for unskilled/skilled] and your CONTRIBUTION will make it possible.

B.  CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: £5000

#  All materials are locally sourced,

#  Some of them are raw materials that do not need to be purchased nor transported, like the local earth we will be using for the superstructure rammed walls.

#  Others are up-cycled materials that neither need to be purchased nor transported, only need to be collected in the village, like cans, bottles, tyres...

#  Materials for foundations, roof structure, plumbing and electrics are the principal cost in this chapter.  

C. TECHNOLOGY: £3000

#  SOLAR ENERGY KIT [Includes equipment and installation] The prototype has an integrated approach to community empowerment that draws on a limitless and clean source of energy, the Sun, to provide solutions that improve the life in the village; your donation will bring solar energy to the community and you will be helping to lead the effort to make clean energy technologies available to all.

#  WATER COLLECTION & PURIFICATION SYSTEM [Includes equipment and installation]. Only the lack of clean water contributes to 70% percent of the country’s diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, this prototype provides free drinkable water all year long.

About the campaign organizer: Karla Paz Sans

I am a Building Engineer-Technical Architect with more than 10 years of professional experience gained within the construction sector with proven success as Project and Construction Manager in both U.K. and Spain. I specialize in Sustainable Architecture and International Cooperation for Development. 

My ethos [both personal and professional] is guided by the deep desire of a delightfully diverse, safe, healthy and just world with clean air, water, soil and power – economically, equitably, ecologically and elegantly enjoyed. My personal strategy is to work towards this goal throughout empowerment and eco-effective architecture by locally gathering and channelling needs, skills and knowledge towards a holistic positive footprint.

The main reason for me to come to Ghana is my upcoming role as Project Manager for the construction of Abetenim Secondary School lead by the initiative of the NKA Foundation (further their success in previous projects as the Primary School and the recently completed Library).

While researching about the village I discovered the daily challenges faced by this rural community due to the insufficient electrical supply, precarious access to clean water, architectonical pathologies in traditional buildings, economic development limitations, environmental issues, etc. after examining all these factors I felt I could bring a dynamic perspective not only to the project but to the empowerment process. 

As part of the data compilation stage I got in contact with several organizations and particulars all around the world. One of the most interesting encounters happened while attending a seminar at London CASS (Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design) entitled “Tapping local resources for sustainable development” where I met other colleagues that had been recently involved with different projects in Abetenim.

I have also made a contact within the Abetenim community who is currently enabling me to get first-hand information about local prices and constraints, who will support me while I am there and who will be helping as an expert Twi-English translator on site once I arrive. This will be really useful because even though I have been practising these last months, Twi is definitely not an easy language. 

The true technical and personal convincement on the positive impact that the prototype will have on this specific community is so strong that I have taken the intricate decision of resigning my job as a Project Manager in London in order to travel to Abetenim to transform a profession into a responsible mission and my passion into tangible actions.

*****REWARDS*****

£5 or more

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project and the lyrics of a traditional local song

£25 or more

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project

THANK YOU PICTURE: We will take a picture of whatever you would like to see of Abetenim and nearby villages i.e. the sunrise, moon as it looks from the dark jungle, children at play, a laughing/smiling face, cocoa trees, a shadow, parts of the prototype … it is entirely your choice so go ahead send us your request. We will exhibit all of the pics on the Prototype Facebook page (choose a title for your requested picture and confirm in case you would like to be tagged on it) or alternatively let us know if you only want to receive the picture privately via email.

£50 or more

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project

THANK YOU PICTURE: We will take a picture of whatever you would like to see of Abetenim and nearby villages i.e. the sunrise, moon as it looks from the dark jungle, children at play, a laughing/smiling face, cocoa trees, a shadow, parts of the prototype … it is entirely your choice so go ahead send us your request. We will exhibit all of the pics on the Prototype Facebook page (choose a title for your requested picture and confirm in case you would like to be tagged on it) or alternatively let us know if you only want to receive the picture privately via email.

THANK YOU FILM: You will receive a copy of a short film documenting the challenges and successes of this project + we'll list you as a donor in the credits line in the film

£100 or more

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project

THANK YOU PICTURE:: We will take a picture of whatever you would like to see of Abetenim and nearby villages i.e. the sunrise, moon as it looks from the dark jungle, children at play, a laughing/smiling face, cocoa trees, a shadow, parts of the prototype … it is entirely your choice so go ahead send us your request. We will exhibit all of the pics on the Prototype Facebook page (choose a title for your requested picture and confirm in case you would like to be tagged on it) or alternatively let us know if you only want to receive the picture privately via email.

THANK YOU FILM: You will receive a copy of a short film documenting the challenges and successes of this project + we'll list you as a donor in the credits line in the film

THANK YOU ON SITE: In addition to the above, you will receive a Guest Certificate of Appreciation that guarantees the donor a 2-day stay in Abetenim to see the project you helped to fund. This offer is redeemable until November 8, 2018. Offer is transferable, so it will make a unique gift

£200 or more

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project

THANK YOU PICTURE: We will take a picture of whatever you would like to see of Abetenim and nearby villages i.e. the sunrise, moon as it looks from the dark jungle, children at play, a laughing/smiling face, cocoa trees, a shadow, parts of the prototype … it is entirely your choice so go ahead send us your request. We will exhibit all of the pics on the Prototype Facebook page (choose a title for your requested picture and confirm in case you would like to be tagged on it) or alternatively let us know if you only want to receive the picture privately via email.

THANK YOU FILM: You will receive a copy of a short film documenting the challenges and successes of this project + we'll list you as a donor in the credits line in the film

THANK YOU ON SITE: In addition to the above, you will receive a Guest Certificate of Appreciation that guarantees the donor a 2-day stay in Abetenim to see the project you helped to fund. This offer is redeemable until November 8, 2018. Offer is transferable, so it will make a unique gift

PLEASE SPEAK YOUR MIND: You can choose a positive message/sentence and we will incorporate it as a decorative writing in the prototype [walls, floors, etc]

£2,000 or more

YOU ARE AWESOME! THIS IS "YOUR PROTOTYPE". We will reward you with the opportunity to NAME the prototype after you, or another name of your choice.

THANK YOU CARD for supporting our project

THANK YOU PICTURE: We will take a picture of whatever you would like to see of Abetenim and nearby villages i.e. the sunrise, moon as it looks from the dark jungle, children at play, a laughing/smiling face, cocoa trees, a shadow, parts of the prototype … it is entirely your choice so go ahead send us your request. We will exhibit all of the pics on the Prototype Facebook page (choose a title for your requested picture and confirm in case you would like to be tagged on it) or alternatively let us know if you only want to receive the picture privately via email.

THANK YOU FILM: You will receive a copy of a short film documenting the challenges and successes of this project + we'll list you as a donor in the credits.

THANK YOU ON SITE: In addition to the above, you will receive a Guest Certificate of Appreciation that guarantees the donor a 2-day stay in Abetenim to see the project you helped to fund. This offer is redeemable until November 8, 2018. Offer is transferable, so it will make a unique gift

PLEASE SPEAK YOUR MIND: You can choose a positive message/sentence and we will incorporate it as a decorative writing in the prototype [walls, floors, etc]