Women’s House Baghere
Humanitarian Construction (ABPL90277_2021_SUM) Tutor Hannah Robertson Team: Claire Newton 756944 Annabelle Roper 699112
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Contents 4 Womens House Baghere 5 Who is in Baghere 6 Climatic Context 8 Climate Change 10 Food Security analysis 11 Physical Resource analysis 12 Existing Support networks 14 Our Vision 15 The Concept 16 How our vision works 18 Who is going to be involved - stakeholder analysis 20 Where is it going to be 22 How is it going to be done 24 Stage 1 Engagement 26 Stage 2 Envision 28 Toilet Construction 29 Temporary Bamboo Structure 30 Stage 3 Activate 32 How to create Compressed Earth Blocks 34 How to build the Column and Roof structure
36 Stage 4 Cultivate 38 How to build the walls 40 How to build the Digester 42 Stage 5 Stewardship 50 Landscape Process: Stage 1 51 Landscape Process: Stage 2 52 Landscape Process: Stage 3 53 Regenerative Farming 53 Raised Garden Beds 54 Food Forest: Tree Guilds 54 Keyhole High-Intensity Planters 55 Greywater System 56 Women’s House Structure 56 Section 58 Plan 59 Architectural design 59 Form and materiality 59 Mitigate risks 60 Flexibility 62 Isometric 62 Long Term Vision
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Womens House Baghere
Rural development, the breaking down of barriers, a reduction in inequality, and the creation of a sustainable and stable environment all depend on the hard work which every member of society invests, both directly and indirectly, in the collective. Gender equality is crucial to the construction of an equitable society in which everyone, on the basis of their background and resources, can make a fundamental contribution
to sustainable development. The challenge of the competition is to design a women’s house that aims to promote gender equality as a key factor in rural development. The structure must be a space dedicated to hosting activities which focus on education, raising awareness, and developing the village in the name of equality.
https://www.kairalooro.com/
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Who is in Baghere In Baghere Village home to 2,200 people, 53% are women
Women’s associations organise village development activities and agro-commercial activities within Baghere
Majority of residents are Muslim and 1% are animists
58% of residents are minors
No female presence in highest ranks of politics in Baghere
No female presence in highest ranks of politics in Baghere
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Climatic Context Low Temperatures 16°c (Dec) - 23°c (June) High Temperatures 31c ° (Aug) - 43c ° (May)
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Humidy May & September: Up to 90% Average Annually: 75%
Monsoon: June-October Rainfall: 1100mm
Hot dry winds East to West (Nov-Mar) Trade Winds West to East (Mar-May)
Climatic Context Poor soil clay-SAND High-saline water table
Tropical Savanna Climate zone
DRY SEASON RaNges 7-10 months
only 20% of land in region considered arable
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Climate Change The effects of climate change are already beginning to have devestating effects on rural communities. Characterised by recurrent droughts, desertification and an ecosystem that is struggling to reach an equilibrium, climate change constitutes a major source of vulnerability for rural areas that rely on agriculture to survive.1 A predicted 4c° increase in temperature by 2050 and a concurrent 20% decrease in rainfall2 mean further difficulties surrounding food, water and job security. Women constiture 70% of the workforce in Senegal, yet little evidence of internationally recognised conventions and laws supporting gender equality has been witnessed in real-time.4 Women operate with minimum resources yet ensure 80% of agricultural production, leaving them incredibly vulnerable to lack of resources and income.5 Source: The Women’s Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO), Gender, Climate Change and Human Security: Lessons from Bangladesh, Ghana and Senegal. 2008. pp. 20-22.
Climate change Affects Gender equality and women in Baghere Job insecurity from drought
Poorer health & safety (Nutrition, Sanitation)
https://borgenproject.org/desertification-in-africa/
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Increased time sourcing firewood and safe water
Increased potential for stress and domestic conflict
https://www.dw.com/en/salt-poses-threat-to-senegals-sin%C3%A9-saloum-delta-wetlands/a-37379872
Increase in average temperature predicted to rise 1.5c ° - 4c° in Senegal by mid-century
Increased frequency of natural disasters: Decrease in rainfall over Sahel region predicts increase in megastorm events
Predicted weather patterns will mean increasing desertification as the Sahara desert spreads further south
https://www.senegalblackrainbow.org/2019/07/18/combattre-les-terres-salees/
Forced migration to cities: displacement and loss of rural workforce/labour
Loss of arable land and a migrating workforce means less food crop production and decreased food security
https://www.afrik21.africa/en/senegal-34-of-arable-lands-threatened-by-desertification/
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Food Security analysis Gum Arabic exports soared in Salinised Ground Water
Poor Soil Structure
2006, making it the most important agricultural export in Senegal
Rain-fed Irrigation
Rice Sahel Region: Drought Prone
Senagal is the second largest rice exporter in Africa
Most Important Cash Crops
Senegal: Net importer of food
Cotton Elimination of peanutimport bans and monopolization of the industry from privitisation
Sugarcane
Pests & Disease
Agricultural Sector
(75% Senegalese Workforce)
Most agriculturally produced crops
Peanuts
Most Important Staple Crops
Millet Main Crop Pest: Locusts
Engine of rural economy: 40% arable land is occupied with peanut crops Production often underreported due to unauthorized sales to neighboring countries
Corn Products with Low Production Levels, High Demand
Dairy: Far below domestic needs. Reliance on milk-powder products
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Local rice production only meets 20% of Senegal’s needs. 30% of all growth is subsitence based.
Sorghum
Poultry: Ban on import of Chicken Meat
Local production increased significantly when federal Government subsidised chemical feritilivser in the early 2000s
Agricultural model that intensifies desertification, decreasing food security
Physical Resource analysis The materials available in the village of Baghere are varied, with natural and more processed options. There are a lot of buildings in the context photos of Baghere that are built in unsustainable concrete and steel. However there are also those built
out of local materials as well. Some of these materials are bamboo, timberm thatch, clay bricks. By the building materials available and the buildings we can tell that there are other resources available too. Such as tools to mix concrete, trowel concrete, tools to fix through
steel and cut steel, transport steel. The energy, and water needed in the construction of concrete and steel must also be available. The building typologies also indicate the technical skills available within the community too.
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Existing Support networks
“The Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology for the Environment (CREATE!) was established in 2008 with the mission of helping rural populations in the developing world cope with water, food, and fuel shortages resulting from the impact of climate change on their communities.“ Create! are a local Senegal NGO that focus on the self development of communities by providing training and resources. Some of their projects are implementing more efficient wood fired stoves and helping communities establish microfinancing groups.
Heifer International are an international NGO that work in 21 different countries around the world working with farmers to increase the quality and quantity of produce. They support farmers to sustainably build their businesses and earn an income. They have multiple projects in Senegal such as nutrition classes for women and installation of bio gas stoves. They provide training, services and support for families in communities to sustainably become more productive and effective at running their farming business.
https://www.createaction.org/incomegeneration/ https://www.heifer.org/blog/heifer-international-world-arkmagazine-2020-senegal-feature-.html
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ACTED is an independant , internationl non-profit that “endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; coconstruct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.” Their current projects work on food insecurity, nutrition, employment and entrepreneurship.
Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is an international NGO supports the re-emergence of sustainabilty in rural communities, with a focus on developing educational tools to inspire societal transition to resilience. They provide training on varying platforms regardling sustainable agriculture/permaculture with a focus on food sovereignty, energy autonomy, regenerative water cycles and healthy soils. GEN also facilitates the use of IT and communications in this realm.
https://www.acted.org/en/countries/senegal/#!
https://ecovillage.org/region/gen-africa/
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Our Vision "To empower women through educational work-shopping in self-sustainability using an agricultural-sanitation closed loop system. Short term goals aim to efficiently harness existing environmentally viable resource flows, with a long term vision of product surplus leading to financial independence and self-reliance for women and their families."
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The Concept
-Community engagement - Local women’s needs
- Social & Financial return - Ecological health benefits - Self-reliance, empowerment & productivity
- Human excreta as a resource - Sanitation benefits - Self-managed & Maintained - Low cost/High output
- Diverse Crop and Plantings - Permaculture & Existing Farm Practices - Biofuel production
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How our vision works Women do 75% of the agricultural work - there by providing food and income for the family
Improving agricultural techniques to save time will allow women to spend more time doing other beneficial jobs for the family Improving agricultural methods to improve output and therefore income and prevent hunger Improving the resilience of the crops and livestock to reduce impact of unforeseen changes/crises
Women look after health of children and care for young preschool children
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Women collect the water for the family Reducing the time to collect water saves time for women to do other essential jobs - also reduces need for children to help out with these jobs by skipping school Greater and quicker access to safer water means the health of the family is more likely. More water is able to be collected if it is easier to collect therefore used for more daily needs therefore more hygienic
Improving the waste collection by realising it as a valuable resource will improve the health of the environment in which they live and the people
Women collect the fire wood to fuel the cook fire Changing fuel sources eliminates the time to collect wood and then begin the fire and get it to the right state to cook Creating safer cooking systems reduces the time taken to watch the fire and tend to the fire and keep the children safe and doesn't have safety concerns because of smoke Changing to a sustainable fuel eliminates beneficial trees being cut down to be fuel.
Creating a safe space for the kids to play while still within supervision eye line
Women do all the cooking for the family Educating women in nutrition can improve the health of the family and help kids gain weight and grow Improving nutrition subsequently improves family members sleep quality, focus, mental acuity, mood and energy thereby improving many other aspects of their life such as school Improving health from improving nutrition reduces the amount of time a family member is unwell and the amount of time a woman has to look after children or reduce the amount a family has to pay for health care
Women don’t get a lot of time for social engagement beyond their roles Women gain a social support system through their groups resulting in greater mental health and resilience as they can rely on each other and problem solve as a group Women become leaders in their community demonstrating the way forward to a sustainable and healthy future With greater leadership and prominence within the community together with greater time from reducing the burden of domestic roles the gender quality will be improved
Very few families have savings or surplus income Improved productivity of land enables surplus to be sold Excess manure, urine fertiliser or slurry fertiliser can be sold to other farmers Improved health from improved nutrition means less money spent on health services Renewable energy to power services means families don't have to pay rates Savings and loan groups can locally organise to have a savings system and provide loans to locals for various endeavours
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Who is going to be involved - stakeholder analysis
in our project we’ve identified the key stakeholders (beneficiaries) as the women in the baghere village. the client, balou salo, along with local aid networks which we partnered with will - in the short term and long term - help manifest the programs intended for the ongoing success management at the women’s house.
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Main Stakeholders Educational platform for future sustainability of women’s house
Kaira looro International Aid (Doner)
Balou Salo NGO (Client)
Biofuel production: Ongoing resources and education
GEN (International Aid Partner)
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment
Presidential Democratic Government of Senegal
Arrondissement of Simbandi Brassou (Sedhiou Regional Gov.)
National Strategy for Gender Equality and Equity (SNEEG) Baghere Municipal Government
Mosque of Baghere
Heifer (Humanitarian Aid Partner)
Permaculture Senegal (Regional Aid Partner) Permaculture Systems: Ongoing education and resources
Ongoing human resources
Beneficiaries: Bagehere Women
Create Action (Local Aid Partner)
Community Leaders & Elders
Local Men (The Public)
Collective decision making, communitybased resources
Intitial and ongoing education technology and microfinance/ business International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Architect
Seed sources and agricultural technology
Patrons of Pilgrimage (Youness Aidara)
Religious Leaders
Unskilled Labour Construction, plumbing Construction, plumbing, electrics
Local material supplier
Labour: Local Skilled Tradespeople
Landscape Architect/ Horticulture
Engineer
Construction Management OHS, Costings Plant species/ Food System Design
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Where is it going to be The women’s house in Baghere will be built along the main street in the village. The site is roughly 2000m2 with one side facing the main street, one side bordered by existing trees and the other two bordered by informal paths. To the North and East of the site are a majority of the towns farming lands. The site is thus located strategically close to homes, where women are needed to be for the majority of their day. It also makes it close to the farms where the ideas generated at the women’s centre can be shared to.
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How is it going to be done
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The project will be completed over multiple stages. These stages willl take place over a timeline of 10 or more years to ensure that the project is fully accepted by the community.
Each of the stages involves training and workshopping with the women of Baghere to upskill and empower them in their lives.
This project is a self build project that over the course of the 5 stages is highly reliant on collaboration and community engagement and drive.
The design and structure of the project allows for and expects high level of flexibility. Elements of the project can be readjusted and redesigned depedning on the wishes and needs of the community at the time.
ENGAGEMENT 3-6 months
Establishing relationships and engaging in community values. Listening.
ENVISION
ACTIVATE
CULTIVATE
3-6 months
6-12 months
8-12 months
Close collaboration with community members to design the project to best suit their values and needs while beginning fundamental elements of the project build
Implementing the first steps of the personalised project through workshops with the women of Baghere that actively engage them in the construction and operation of the project. and creative projects with the children
Expansion of the functions of the womens house, capabilities of the women and personalisation of the project through advanced construction, sustainable agricultural practices and opportunities for artistic expression.
STEWARDSHIP > 10 years
Ongoing self management of the womens centre by the women of Baghere with support from local NGO’s and the project team scaling back as the project progresses.
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Stage 1 Engagement Establishing relationships and engaging in community values
First Introductions Who: Women, Local Leaders, Design Team, Local NGO representatives, Baluou Salo, Kaira Looro What: Meeting Why: This is just a first meeting to introduce all the stakeholders to each other and begin to establish relationships. This can be done with informal shared meals or casual conversations.
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Collaborative input & feedback
Community input & feedback
Existing agricultural knowledges & practices
Community values & needs
Existing and new networks
Values Workshop
Observations
Community Interviews
Who: Women, design team, Baluou Salo What: Workshop Why: Organise a engagement workshop to discover what the women’s values are, what they see as key in their life, how they feel about different aspects of the needs that we identified, what their visions of their ideal life are among other thoughts and aspirations
Who: Design Team What: Site Analysis Why: While in Baghere care should be taken to observe and take in all that is happening. Question everything and do not make assumptions. While you’re observing take the time to record it all in photos, notes, sketches or other creative methods
Who: Design Team, What: Site Interviews Why: Ask people in the community about their lives and values. Making sure that a wide range of community members are interviewed. In conversations allow for silence to enable people the space to talk. Try not to direct the conversation so much and allow people to express what it is that is important to them.
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Stage 2 Envision
Close collaboration with community members to design the project to best suit their values and needs while beginning fundamental elements of the project build
‘WASH’ Education
Light-weight Bamboo Shade Structure
Initial Planting: Soil Refurbishment (Nitrogen fixing trees)
Educational Workshopping & Collaborating Construct Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet (UDDT) (Fertilizer Production)
Urine: 1000L Underground airtight storage with hand pump (>6 month storage) Faeces: Dry composted over <1 year and used as soil conditioner
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TOILET CONSTRUCTION
INITIAL TREES
TRAINING on closed loop farming
Who: Women, Concrete Tradespeople What: Fired Clay Bricks Why: The toilet is being constructed early in the project to ensure there will be enough waste material processed into usable fertiliser in time to help begin the farming garden. It will also be a beneficial initial WASH focussed educational project that will take time to distribute the knowledge to the community at large.
Who: Women What: Nitrogen fixing trees Why: Selection of specific tree species to help restore the site’s soil will be paramount in kickstarting soil rejuvination. Species will ensure an immediate return on investment, providing green infrastructure and ecological health that offers harvestable products.
Who: Women, Permaculture What: Educational Workshops, GEN (Major Network) Why: The genesis of the entire project is based on educating local women on the intricacies and incremental processes involved in agricultural-sanitation closed loop farming. Starting at the bottom with hands on tree planting and sanitation workshops is crucial.
SCHOOL WORKSHOP
DESIGN WORKSHOP
BAMBOO SHADE CONSTRUCTION
Who: Women, School Teachers, Students What: Design Consult, Educational Workshops Why: Creating a reciprocal arrangmenet with the school to increase safety for families is important. Input from kids also, as per the design is fundamental - they will be interacting with the space. Educating the students on what happens at the women’s house is important for future
Who: Women What: Local women Why: Involving the women thoroughly in the design process is paramount for a successful space to manifest. Culturally appropriate spaces that serve the purposes of their needs will come from their own responses to the design workshop.
Who: Women What: Constructing Lightweight temporary shelter Why: Having protection from the elements whilst the construction of the Women’s house is underway is necessary. It will familiarise and educate women with basic building components and serve and important purpose during initial phases.
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Toilet Construction The construction of the Urine Diverting Dry Toilet will need to be carefully done to ensure the ongoing hygiene of the system. The faeces vault below the toilet and the urine tank are key to this. Solid concrete slab and kiln fired bricks will need to be used to construct two identical vaults below the toilet, with openings left in a wall of each to fit the pipe to the greay water and urine tanks. A slab is then built over the vault in concrete again with a timber frame to support the slab while curing. The concrete slab will ensure longevity and proper sealing of the vault below. A urine diverting squat toilet peice will need to be purchased to be installed in this slab. A pipe will be connected between the urine collecting part to the urine tank below the toilet. The key to the success of this toilet system is ensuring the urine and faeces never integrate.
http://www.wecf.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/11/ Web_2015UDDTManual-min.pdf
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Temporary Bamboo Structure A small construction workshop will be undertaken with a focus on working with bamboo. The women will be upskilled in some specific bamboo technical joints while having the ability to explore the possiblities anf properties of bamboo. The workshops will be conducted as an experimntal prototype workshop. Specific designs for the shade structures will not be provided. The workshop instead encourages invention and experimentation with the material and bending and joining it. There will be also instruction on fundamentals and what to watch out for. This includes capping bamboo ends, making joints mean the nodes, not using cracked bamboo and many more.
https://www.instagram.com/betterbamboobuildings/
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Stage 3 Activate Implementing the first steps of the personalised project through workshops with the women of Baghere that actively engage them in the construction and operation of the project. and creative projects with the children
House Frame Constructed
Livestock Housing
Agriculture
H20
Educational Workshopping & Collaborating Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet (UDDT)
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Earth-brick Production Fertilisation
Well
Well CONSTRUCTION
Roof Construction
Animal Pens
Who: Women, Skilled tradespeople What: Construction Project Why: The construction of the well will provide a consistent and close source of safe water for the women in the village and the hygenic operation of the building
Who: Women What: Construction training Why: The roof construction can happen at this early stage without having to build the walls. This allows a large area of shade to be made quickly to be utilised throughout the duration of the project.
Who: Women What: Construction Why: The animal pens will be constructed with local materials and with a design that maximises the health and wellbeing of the animals and the safety and hygiene of the pens.
CEB Manufacturing
Childrens Workshops
Who: Women What: Construction training Why: Constructing Compressed Earth Bricks on site is a sustainable and job creating enterprise. The bricks have far less embodied energy than traditional bricks and they dont have to transported. The women can become knowledgeable in the creation of these bricks and then create jobs producing them for the rest of the village.
Who: Women, School teachers, Children What: Construction/Creation Workshop Why: If it was decided that the children’s engagement project will be pre-made elements then workshops to create this pre-made element will happen now. This may be furniture elements, landscaping or play elements.
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How to create Compressed Earth Blocks https://dwellearth.com/producing-earth-blocks/
Protective Equipment Ensure that everyone has basic protective equipment particularly dust masks. The dust can cause many health issues throughout the process.
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Soil Screening Using fine metal mesh the soil of the site can be sorted through the mesh to sift out the pieces that are too large. It will also sort out rubbish or other articles in the soil.
Mixing In small batches thoroughly mix up 2 parts soil to 1 part binder (cement/lime). Then mix in minimal water until the mix is starting to hold if you form a ball in your hands
Pressing Add the soil mixture into the manual press and use the lever to form a dense block.
Drying Once pressed, stack the blocks in a spot without direct light. Then cover the stack in a plastic tarp. The blocks will need to stay drying for 21 days before they can be used.
Testing Test the durability and quality of the bricks before using them in the building. Test resilience in water contact. Also test for cracks and whether the block rumbles.
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How to build the Column and Roof structure STEP 1 Set out the plan on the site with markers. Dig holes for the column footings and the drain Mix up concrete on site and pout the drain concrete.
STEP 2 Fix together the 3 columns and beams while laying flat on the ground. Once all column and beams are fixed together mix up more concrete. Pour concrete into holes one by one before tilting the columns and beams into the holes. Use temporary propping to keep the columns straight while the concrete cures.
STEP 3 Using a scaffolding or raised platform system fix secondary beams between the columns that were erected.
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STEP 4 Fix bamboo rafters between the secondary beams at equal spacings.
STEP 5 Add one final layer of bamboo horizontally over the top following the curve of the building. These rows of bamboo will be used for fixing the thatch.
STEP 6 Sort and bind together the palm fronds and thatch into bundles. Tie these bundles to the upper layer of bamboo framing. Start by fixing the bottom row first, then work row by row to the peak of the roof. This process will be familiar with the local community as there are some thatch roofed homes in the town.
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Stage 4 Cultivate Expansion of the functions of the womens house, capabilities of the women and personalisation of the project through advanced construction, sustainable agricultural practices and opportunities for artistic expression.
Creative/Cultural input into construction
Increasing plant diversity & soil health
Rain Harvest
H20
Bio-fuel Dome
Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet (UDDT)
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Earth-Brick (Construction) Manure: Fuel
Fertilisation
Well
Increased skill-set
Wall CONSTRUCTION
Bio Fuel Construction
Artists Design
Who: Women, Design team What: Construction workshop Why: The wall construction will be done in a progressive manner, beginning with simple straight walls and working up to more complex elements such as the arched door way. The wall design and placement has been designed in the previous stages and optimised for the community and the location.
Who: Women, trades person, design team What: Construction workshop Why: The bio fuel digester dome will be the most complex construction done in the project. After building the arched door way the skills can be transferred to the construction of the dome. With the help of local trades to connect the plumbing pipes for the gas.
Who: Artists, design team What: Design workshop Why: The local artists within the community will be engaged to ensure the voice of the local women is expressed in the building and broader project. The design team will help advise where possibilities for novel approaches can be done. This workshop will be driven by the local artists not the design team.
Children’s Workshops Who: Women, School teachers, Children What: Design, Creative Workshop Why: The children’s workshop will occur at this stage if there were elements designed in the initial workshop with the school that would be added directly to the building. This could be a mural, mosaic on the walls or other projects that diretly apply to the building. The children will be able to positively add to the project and help create the identity of the project. 37
How to build the walls STEP 1 Dig out a trench where each of the walls will go as decided in community consultation. Lay out a length of pip between where the stoves will go and the bio fuel digester will go. Fill the trench with concrete mixed like it was for the columns. Let the concrete cure for 21 days.
STEP 2 Using the compressed earth bricks made earlier construct each section of wall. Each brick wall is created between the existing columns. Start with a plain stretch of wall, then build wall segments that have hit and miss breeze openings. Finally build the arched entry segment.
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STEP 3 Using timber construct a raised deck platform. First placing timber stumps in the ground, then fixing beams between the stumps. Then timber boards or other flat materials can be fixed over the beams to make a deck. After the deck, build a kitchen bench with the gas pipes coming up through it to connect to the stoves. Now the most complex brick element can be built, the bio fuel digester (see next page)
STEP 4 When and if it is desired a concrete slab can be poured. Concrete can be mixed just as it has throughout the project. Skills in timber construction can be used to build the form-work to shape the slab. This is also a perfect opportunity to personalise the building with a custom mosaic floor. Using local shells and chipped ceramic artistic expression can happen on the slab. It can also be another way of delineating space other than walls and level changes.
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Inlet tank
Gas outlet
How to build the Digester The Bio Gas plant can be built by local tradesmen or by newly skilled women for peoples homes as a source of fuel for gas stoves, or other gas fueld appliances. The bio gas plant works by mixin animal waste with water and then transfering this mix to a domed space called a digester. Here the mix breaks down and in the process releases gas. That is captured in the top of the dome and directed into a pipe to where it is needed. This is controlled with a simple valve. The material after is has released gas is then able to be used as a fertiliser which can improve yeilds in personal farms or be sold for profit. What is needed to build the plant is kiln fired bricks, cement, mortar, pvc pipe for the inlet and a metal pipe for the gas outlet.
Reservior
Slurry outlet
Ground Level
Side View
Dome Digester
Top View
A
A
Cross-section
Section A-A
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Deenbandhu plant draw
1. After digging the hole use a stick to mark out the circle and then pour concrete to make the base of the dome. Lay kiln fired bricks around the edge of the base to form a circle. Then lay bricks on the base in a basket weave pattern.
2. Using the stick as a guide place one end of it in the centre of the base and the other on the edge. Place the brick along the wall with the stick touching the middle.
3. Keep placing more and more rows of bricks always using the stick as a guide. By following this the wall will start to curve and lean inwards. Once you get 2 rows of bricks in place the inlet pipe into the wall and brick around it.
4. Keep building the walls higher, remembering to build the outlet pit on the side.
5. Once the outlet pit has reached 4 rows high you can need to put a supporting beam over the opening to the outlet and brick a row above it.
6. When the dome starts caving in too far that the bricks wont stay in place while they set you need to tie a weight to them to hold them until the whole row is bricked. This image uses spare bricks tied to a string to hold the placed bricks.
7. Once the last brick is laid, insert the gas pipe into the top and mortar around it to make it air tight.
8. Now cement over the entire dome. Then render over the dome. This makes sure no gas gets out.
Image Source: http://foundationskgsangha.org/build.html
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Stage 5 Stewardship Ongoing self management of the womens centre by the women of Baghere with support from local NGO’s and the project team scaling back as the project progresses. - Ongoing education - Female empowerment - Social cohesion
Surplus biofuel products ($)
H20
- Surplus agricultural output - Self-sustainability - Climate resilience
Community events
Bio-fuel Dome
Well Manure: Fuel
Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet
Fertilisation Surplus fertiliser products ($)
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Micro-finance
Micro Finance Training
Selling Surplus Product
Community Events
Who: Women, CREATE! What: Educational workshops Why: Training women in micro-finance is important in the local context, where access to financial and banking services is otherwise unavailable. The goal is to ultimately create social benefits that reach the women of Baghere and the surrounding community, empowering women, aiding in the path to self-sufficiency and financial security.
Who: Women What: Educational workshopping, local networking Why: A predicted 12-18 month period will occur prior to the manifestation of a surplus harvests (intially, Moringa greens). The Women’s House needs to be prepared in recording harvests, logistsics and eventually selling surplus products to local markets.
Who: Women, Children, Community leaders, Men What: Celebrations, Workshops Why: Organising various events that focus on community inclusion - including, but not limited to - cultural celebrations, religious holidays and events, concerts and other traditional ceremonies will be central to adopting a cohesive and progressive culture within the community.
Childrens Workshops Who: Women, School teachers, Children What: Workshops Why: Creating a reciprocal relationship with the local school is a major aspect in fostering education for local school children. The ‘safe space’ aspect of the Women’s house will further foster a space for kids to learn about improved hygiene and sanitation practices, along with ecological, environmental and social benefits that go alongside permacultural systems. 43
Women’s House: Landscape Design
The process of developing the landscape successfully is incrementally staged to a) offer on-the-ground training for women in Permaculture and small scale agricutlure-sanitation ecosystem development, and b) necessary for the realistic time-frames required for rejuvinating degraded soil profiles for ecological restoration. The landscape vision phases will employ the use of existing skill sets including the employment of traditional agriculture methods for land preparation (e.g. traditional farming tools and practices). The required labour for all stages of planting can be done via manual labour. It must be noted that permacultural systems in the landscape are largely a colonial intervention, and the practice of traditional regenerative farming techniques that embrace long-established local agricultural methodologies will not only be encouraged, but prioritised.
Plant Selection
The plant list (Appendix A) includes all the plant species to be obtained for the Women’s house. Ensuring a diversity of plant varieties that offer seasonally variable harvesting times and complementary pyshiological traits that work in symbiois with one another: a) increasing yields b) increasing soil fertility c) reduce work/labour loads and d) eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and fungicides.
Seed Sourcing
- Ethnobotanically appropriate and indigenous plant species prioritised - Locally traded and sourced seeds - Acquisition of climate resilient cultivars that increase effectivness of specific needs (i.e short-cycle varieties that provide food during hunger season prior to traditional harvest times)1
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Stage 1
- Planting of major tree species (saplings) Nitrogen Fixation: - Planting of ‘living fenceline’ (Acacia mellifera) - Planting of Moringa trees, treated as ‘annuals’ to not only afford regular harvestable food in first stages, but kickstart soil rejuvination - Sowing of ground-cover crop (Cowpea)
Stage 2
Stage 3
- Fertiliser from UDDTs ready for application, construction of raised garden beds for staple crops completed
- Established tree guilds and crops that offer surplus consumable products
- Establishment of manure from livestock to create biofuel - Larger trees create windbreak and further harvestable food & medicine products - Planting of fruit trees for future establishment of permaculturally designed tree guilds. Thinning out of centrally located Stage 1 trees
- Established greywater biofiltration; Bamboo cultivation -Closed-loop agricutluresanitation system functioning from linked systems within the Women’s house
Appendix A: Plant Species
PN - Plant Nutrients, APC - Assists Pest Control, RRC - Reduces Root Competition, PPS - Provides Protection & Shade TREES
NAME
SIZE (H x W)(m)
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
Acacia senegal/Gum Arabic (Senegalia senegal)
4m x 3m
> Nitrogen fixing > Medicinal > Agroforestry > Coppiced for tool use
PN, PPS
African Crabwood (Carapa procera) 20m x 10m
> Great shade PPS > Edible seeds > Medicinal and other practical sources
African Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)
15m x 2m
> High production of oil per unit of land area > Native to West Africa > Harvest year-round
Avocado (Persea americana) Varietes: ‘Fuerte’, ‘Hass’, ‘Rayan’
10m x 3m
> Appropriate climatic > Popular fruit > High caloric value
Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
10m x 5m
> Leaves, fruit consumed > Bark used for rope > Fruit & Seeds used for drinks and oil > Important cultural identity
Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)
10-12m x 3m
> 10m Growth within 5-7 years > Nitrogen fixing
PN, PPS
Blackthorn (Acacia mellifera)
4m x 3m
> Fast growing > Living fenceline/hedge, impenetrable thicket > Nitrogen fixing > Animal fodder
PS, PPS
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
15m x 5m
> Nirogen fixing
PN
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)
10m x 5m
> Grows and fruits very quickly > Drought and heat tolerent > High nutrient value > Leaves and foliage provide fodder
PN, PPS
Cherry Orange (Citrus articulata)
4m x 2.5m
>Major nutrition source
45
TREES
46
NAME
SIZE (H x W)(m)
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
Guiera (Guiera senegalensis)
3 x 2m
> Considered a ‘cure-all’ medicinal plant > Hydraulic redistribution when grown with millet
PN
Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana)
8-10m x 5m
> Fast growing > Fruit bearing > Anti-oxidant rich berries
PPS
Lemon (Citrus limon)
4m x 2.5m
> High vitamin C
PPS
Mango (Mangifera indica)
20-25m x 15m
> Windbreak > Easily grown > High fruit yields
PPS
Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
10 x 3-4 (Deciduous)
> All parts edible, highly nutritious > Malnutrition relief > Survives in poor soils/drought > Fast growing, nitrogen fixing > Water purifier (powdered seeds create completely biodegradble flocculant) > Can be harvested up to 6 times annually
PN, PPS, APC
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
15-20m x 10-15m
> Fast growing > Wind Break, great shade > Pest and Disease Control for other plants
PPS, APC
Papaya (Carica papaya)
5-8 x 3m
> Staple fruit > Suitable to climate and soil
Senegal Coraltree (Erythrina senegalensis)
7m x 3m
> Nitrogen fixing > Medicinal
Soursop (Anonna muricata)
10m x 4m
> High nutritional value fruit > Popular Sengalese fruit
PPS
TREES
SHRUBS
NAME
SIZE (H x W)(m)
BENEFITS
Papaya (Carica papaya)
5-8 x 3m
> Staple fruit > Suitable to climate and soil
Senegal Coraltree (Erythrina senegalensis)
7m x 3m
> Nitrogen fixing > Medicinal
Soursop (Anonna muricata)
10m x 4m
> High nutritional value fruit > Popular Sengalese fruit
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
15m x 12m
> Multiple edible values > Cultural value, traditional food > Long-term, slow growing
PN, PPS
West African Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica)
15m x 5m
> Indigenous to Senegal > Important culinary > Traditional medicine
PPS
NAME
SIZE (H x W)(m)
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Varietes: ‘Vimto’, ‘Bambara’, ‘Mame Diarra’
3m x 2m
> Leaves, seeds, flowerse edible > Rosella hemp fibres > Medicinal uses
PPS
Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
2m x 1m
> Edible roots and seeds
PPS
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
0.5m x 0.5m
> Popular food in Senegal (staple) > Nitrogen fixing
PN
Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajun)
3m x 1.5m
> Nitrogen fixing > Medicinal > High nutrients, protein > Little water, cope in poor soil
PN, PPS
Saba fruit (Saba senegalensis)
2m x 2m
> Small erect shrub to tree > Fruit is large seeds, used to make juice
SIZE (H x W) (m)
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
Ginger (Zingiber officianale)
0.8m
> Medicinal & Culinary
PPS, RRC
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
1.2m
> Medicinal & Culinary
PPS, RRC
PERENNIAL NAME
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
PPS
47
PERENNIAL NAME
ANNUAL
48
SIZE (H X W) (m)
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
Garlic (Allium sativum)
0.4m
> Medicinal & Culinary
APC, PPS
Onion (Allium cepa)
0.5m
> Medicinal & Culinary
APC
Potatoes African (Solenostemon rotundifolius) Pomme de terres (Solanum tuberosum) Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
0.4m 0.6m 0.5m 0.4m
> Groundcover protection > Staple food item
APC, PPS
Plantain (Musa × paradisiaca)
2-3m x 1m
> Large herbaceous perennial
Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris)
3m
> Biofiltration
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
5m
> Perennial woody vine > High in nutrients and minerals
NAME
SIZE (H x W) (m)
BENEFITS
African Eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon)
1m
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
0.4m
Amaranthus sp. (Amaranthus viridis) (Amaranthus graecizans)
1m
> Medicinal & Culinary
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
0.5m
> Medicinal & Culinary
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea sp.)
0.4m
Capsicum (Capsicum annuum sp.)
0.8m
Carrot (Daucus carota)
0.4m
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Varietes: ‘Blanc’, ‘Noir’
0.8m
> Staple Culinary
PN
Maise (Zea mays)
1.5m
> Staple Culinary
PPS
Melon (Cucumis melo var. Cantalupensis)
0.3m
PPS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS
APC
APC
> Medicinal & Culinary PPS
PPS
ANNUAL
NAME
SIZE (H X W) (m)
Melon (Cucumis melo var. Cantalupensis)
0.3m
Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
0.8m
Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)
0.4m
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum sp.)
0.3m - 1.5m
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
0.4m
BENEFITS
PN - APC - RRC - PPS PPS
PPS
PPS
49
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Landscape Process: Stage 1 Legend
Neem (Azadirachta indica) Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) West African Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
1
Medium Tree (5-10m)
Gum Arabic (Senagalia senegal) Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)
Fenceline
Planted using (Acacia mellifera) spaced at 1m entire perimeter
Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
Well
Harvested as an ‘annual’ plant. Start Service of initial nitrogen fixation cycle of Access soil whilst providing a fast turnover of food. Prior to next stage, leave Underground Urine Storage strongest saplings to mature.
TOILET 25m2
Citrus (Citrus limon)
Propagation Area Tool Shed (Metal with Concrete Slab)
In preparation for Chicken Coop
R
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Nitrogen fixing ground cover
Existing Tree
L
R
E
G
3000L Water Tank
I
O
N
A
O
A
A
D
L
D
Compacted Earth Path
1:400 @
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
50
C
A
L
R
Light-Weight Bamboo Shade Structure
O
O
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Large Tree (>10m)
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Landscape Process: Stage 2 Legend
Keyhole Planter
Chicken Coop
Large Tree (Maturing) Goat Housing
Medium Tree (Maturing) (Providing Nitrogen)
Living Fenceline (Providing Nitrogen)
Moringa
Well
(Providing Nitrogen, Food) Service Access
Tree Guild
Underground Urine Storage
Propagation Area
Bamboo Grove Gathering
Papaya (Carica papaya) Plantain (Musa × paradisiaca) Soursop (Anonna muricata) Saba Fruit (Saba senegalensis) Jujube (Ziziphus maurtiana) Cherry Orange (Citrus articulata)
TOILET 25m2
Outdoor
Outdoor Gathering
Tool Shed (Metal with Concrete Slab)
R
Bamboo Grove Biofuel Output Chamber
Citrus R
Existing Tree 3000L Water Tank
L
Bio Fuel Digester
O
C
A
O
A
D
L
Women's Centre
Biofuel Input Chamber
E
G
I
O
N
A
Bamboo Biofiltration Area
L R
O
A
D
Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) Compacted Earth
1:400 @
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Raised Garden Bed
51
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Landscape Process: Stage 3 Legend
Keyhole Planter
Large Tree (>10m) Medium Tree (5-10m) Fenceline
Goat Housing
(Established thicket)
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Fruit Tree Guild Citrus (Citrus limon)
Service Access
1
TOILET 25m2
Underground Urine Storage
Propagation Area
Bamboo Grove Gathering
(Established, fertilised by chickens)
Well
Outdoor
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Chicken Coop
Outdoor Gathering
Existing Tree
Entry
R
Bamboo Grove
3000L Water Tank Bamboo
(Fully grown)
Compacted Earth Path
Biofuel Output Chamber
L
Bio Fuel Digester R
O
C
A
O
L
Women's Centre
Biofuel Input Chamber E
G
I
O
N
A
Bamboo Biofiltration Area
L R
O
A
D
Entry
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
52
Tool Shed (Metal with Concrete Slab)
1:400 @
A
D
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Raised Garden Bed
Regenerative Farming Locally contextual technqiues
Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
Fast growing, fixes nitrogen into soil providing nutrients for millet crop.
Guiera senegalensis (Guiera)
Pennisetum glaucum (Pearl Millet)
H20 Watertable
Raised Garden Beds Minimum input - maximum output
H20
N
Biomass (kg ha-1)
Indigenous evergreen medicinal shrub, deep tap root draws water from below ground and redistribute H20 to surface Millet crop (‘hydraulic redestribution’), increasing yields. Falling leaf matter further fertilises the crop. Regular pruning and/or coppicing encourages root development and therefore
2000
1000
Millet crop without Guiera
Millet crop with Guiera
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ fenvs.2018.00098/full
Top Soil (Composted matter, soil) Leaf Cuttings (Leaves, grasses, manure) Mixed size wood scraps (retains moisture, on-going fertilisation and airation as the wood breaks down)
Earth Trench (Clay) (0.5m width) Retention of water between countoured beds
53
Food Forest: Tree Guilds Plant layering and species roles
Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)
Multiple harvests year-round (PN)
Papaya (Carica papaya)
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Staple vegetable, ground cover (PN)
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) (APC)(Pollinator)
Pumpkin (Curcurbita sp.) Shades ground, slows water evaporation
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Keyhole High-Intensity Planters Plant Selection Example: African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Amaranthus sp. Carrot (Daucus carota) Caper (Capparis spinosa) Garlic (Allium sativum) Chilli (Capsicum annum) Shallot (Allium cepa) Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Ginger (Zingiber officianale) (RRC)
All materials generated on-site Compost
(Composting from centre, diversion of nutrients to remainder of bed )
Retaining Edge (Recycled timber stakes or bamboo)
Planting Area Internal: Top half consists of top soil mixed through with compost 1:1
Internal: Bottom half (drainage layer)
consists of breaking down wood scraps
‘Keyhole’ - (Compost/Harvest Access)
54
Women’s House (Greywater Origin)
Greywater System
Natural materials (E.g. Woodchips, Sand) in plastic grease trap
Grease Trap
2000L Waste water settling tank
Distribution Box
Effective example of greywater distribution point using simple materials
Greywater safely treated through the biofiltration proces of bamboo irrigaiton beds, also providing sustainable source of harvestble building materials
Bambusa vulgaris Topsoil/Root System Shade cloth Channel 400mm width & height
Gravel or crushed aggregate Perforated plastic drain pipe
55
Women’s House Structure
SOUTH FACING ROOF MAXIMISES THE OPTIMAL ANGLE AND PITCH FOR SOLAR PV PANNELS
USE BAMBOO PEGS OR STEEL BELTS TO PIN JOINTS TOGETHER. THEN USE STRIPS OF BAMBOO TO WRAP PEICES TOGETHER
SOUTH FACING ROOF ALSO MAXIMISES THE SHADOWS CREATED ON THE OPEN COURTYARD SIDE
CAP ENDS OF BAMBOO
CAP ENDS OF BAMBOO
500MM BAMBOO SETBACK TO AVOID WATER DEGRADATION
500MM BAMBOO SETBACK TO AVOID WATER DEGRADATION FIX BAMBOO COLUMNS TO STEEL STIRRUPS ON RAISED CONCRETE FOOTINGS GRADED CONCRETE DRAIN
CONCRETE FOOTING AT LEAST 1000MM DEEP BELOW GROUND LEVEL
0
56
2m
Section
57
KEYHOLE GARDENS
OUTDOOR COURTYARD
KITCHEN
UNDERCOVER MEETING AREA
BIO GAS PLANT
RAISED TIMBER PLATFORM
SUR F COL ACE DR A LEC T RA IN TO IN W ATE R
58
BAMBOO GROVE
0
2.5m
5m
PLAN
Architectural design Form and materiality The design of the women’s house draws on the local vernacular architecture. The homes with in the village that don’t use modern western construction materials and techniques are round earth brick homes with conical bamboo and thatch roofs. The women’s house is designed to up-skill local techniques using to more technical systems to continue the tradition of sustainable, context specific buildings that suit the local climate. Up-skilling occurs in the compressed earth blocks, complex large scale bamboo framework and the bio fuel brick dome. The form of the women’s house draws on the circular form of the traditional homes by opening up the circle into an arc inviting the landscape into the building. This transformation takes a typically private building typology and converts it into the public and inclusive building the project requires. The women’s house is to represent a safe space for women to belong and thrive that is open to all. By opening up the women’s house the domain of women has gone from private and invisible open and visible. The place of women is now front and centre not hidden and invites people to share in their role and see their commitment, dedication and importance.
Mitigate risks There are many risks in creating and designing a building for a community that you are not apart of. These have been thought of and ways to mitigate the risks that these pose have been developed. One risk is that the building won’t be used or accepted by the community. As the process designed for this project relies so heavily on community engagement and direction it is less likely that the building will not be accepted by the community. The high level of flexibility available for the community to utilise in order to have greater investment, results in greater sense of ownership by the community. The project could be abandoned without being completed due to community conflict,
PRIVATE
budget concerns, global catastrophe (COVID) and other disruptive issues. By dividing the project stage by stage, at the end of each stage the project is still functional and productive. For instance the roof is constructed in a single stage and without walls is still a quality source of shade and shelter. A serious risk that is considered is that the women will be ostracised for building their own building. We evaluated this risk as being fairly low as the brief set by the community was for a women self build project. Thus it is inferred that the community is prepared and accepting of women being able to build their own centre. But in addition the extensive community engagement throughout the project is designed to enable the project stakeholders to be in touch with the communities opinions and movements. The project additionally does not begin the construction phases until Stage 3 about 6-12 months.
PUBLIC
59
Flexibility The design for the women’s house building has inbuilt flexibility. The design focusses on a system of construction and structure, how the spaces are arranged within the building can be rearranged and manipulated during community engagement and design phases. The structural system relies on an even grid of columns, the number and length of the grid can be adjusted as needed. The building can even be built as a small section first then extended and grown as need be by the community. The location of the walls and the nature of the walls whether they be solid or breeze blocks is completely flexible within the grid structure. There are certain design intentions that were made and would be encouraged to keep such as locating the building to open up north to have wide visible connection with the agricultural garden. By having the roof angled to fall towards the south not only makes the entire roof ideal for solar PV panels but also optimises the length of the shadow cast by the building to cover much of the courtyard beyond the covered area.
60
View of cooking area and raised meeting area
61
North-West Isometric Legend 1. Women’s House
9
3
2. Toilets 3. Propagation & Tools
4 7
4. Water storage 5.Goats 6. Chickens
5 8
7. Keyhole Planting beds 8. Hugelkulture Staple Cropping
2
6
9. Water Well
Long terms goals Over the course of ten or more years this project will grow and change to suit the community as it develops. There are many more possibilities to expand on the existing programs and technologies that are established through the project and its affiliated support networks. This is analogous to the incrementally 62
increasing self sufficiency of the programs implemented. Using the established foundation of the women centre this can afford the opportunity for expanding into further programs and technologies. Such opportunity include establishing services for entrepreneurial small business start ups that ultimately connect women with broader
communities locally and globally. This can be programs such as the Solar Mamas, women’s run radio shows, reaching out to networks and internet community groups. The innately community led project design establishes the community ownership of the project and aims to positively impact the women of Baghere for generations to come.
the women’s house and broader baghere
Water Tower 200m Hold educational workshops on agricultural-sanitation systems at school - surplus fertiliser and food products donated to school
Sedhiou 30km Re g
io
Reduced pressure on town water supplies, increasing longterm water security Production of Biofuel will benefit the local ecosystem through conservation of existing woodlands and green infrastructure, in turn battling climate change and prediction of increasing drought periods
School
na
lR oa
d
City Hall
Surplus fertiliser for rice production (nitrogen). Surplus food production at Women’s House will also take pressure off droughtyears that reduce rice yields
Hosting of Religious celebrations at Women’s House and surplus food contributions to the Mosque & community. Education for women making common pilgramage to the tomb of Youness Aidara
Women’s House
Surplus fertiliser for rice production (nitrogen). Surplus food production at Women’s House will also take pressure off drought-years that reduce rice yields
Mosque of Baghere
N6 National Highway
Rice production Valley Basin: Maxium Flood Line
Casamance River 9km
Reduction of pollution on local river basin and long term improvement of health via increased sanitation services
Tanaff 1km
1:5000
0
100m
200m 63
