reCOVER/JPC Summer 2012 Visit to South Africa Report Water and Health in Limpopo Initiative Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative University of Venda University of Virginia
THE MUKONDENI POTTERY COOPERATIVE Since 1947, accomplished craftswomen from the village of Ha-Mashamba have been utilizing a local clay deposit to create iconic red, black and silver functional and decorative ceramics. In 1998, forty of these women formed the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative and began work in a government-built facility in close proximity to the clay deposit. The women are committed to preserving the traditional craft passed down through generations. The cooperative provides women of Ha-Mashamba with a livelihood and the region with an invaluable cultural resource. In 2008, The University of Virginia and the University of Venda began a collaborative effort in the Limpopo province to make clean water consistently accessible while educating the local population on the effects of bacterial contamination in their drinking water. To encourage individual responsibility and provide means to sanitized water, students from the universities of Venda and Virginia are partnering with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to adapt the centuries-old pottery tradition and techniques to include the production and distribution of affordable ceramic filters for point-of-use water filtration. The raw materials required to manufacture the filters derive directly from the site; these include the existing clay deposit, as well as proposed tree propagation and rainwater collection systems. Due to the scale and potential of the enterprise, the cooperative will benefit from a filter production facility and community center, which will engage the public through educational activities, environmental advocacy, and product and skill development.
values became evident and underscored the relevancy of the project. Upon returning to the United States, the reCOVER team compiled observations, enabling evaluation and improvement of past proposed design schemes. Longterm sustainability factors into every design decision, as the cohesion and maintenance of the site and buildings is crucial to the success of the operation. The following pages document compiled information, observations, and a revised design strategy for the WHIL/ reCOVER ceramic water filter factory and landscape project. These documents include minutes from meetings, diagrams, design drawings, renderings, and data collected during our visit to Limpopo. Currently, we are in the process of finalizing design revisions in order to complete design development drawings and transition to construction documentation. Prior to construction documents, a review of the design by UNIVEN and WHIL stakeholders will be necessary to move forward. Additionally, construction documentation and building specifications will rely on close collaboration with the University of Venda and a local general contractor to be identified by UNIVEN/WHIL at a later date.
The reCOVER architecture team joined the WHIL project in 2012. Our design proposal brings together academic, civic and professional organizations to benefit the common good of the Mashamba community. In partnership with university initiatives in South Africa and the US, non-profit organizations specialized in water filtration and pottery production, and professional architectural and engineering firms, the design team is focused on a multi-phased, multisectorial implementation strategy of a ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design prototype. The reCOVER team visited South Africa this summer to visit the Pottery Co-op and meet with the project stakeholders. The team first met with the women of the co-op to learn what they envision for the facility’s future (see meeting brief, pg. 2.) In addition, the team met with UNIVEN partners, political leaders, and local construction experts to discuss cultural and environmental issues that may impact the design of the factory facility. By visiting important cultural and natural landmarks, as well as factories and farms, the team gained an understanding of the past and present Venda region. Factors such as political and community issues surrounding water access, security concerns, climatic impact, educational needs, typical social interactions, and cultural Mukondeni potter, Satina building a vessel by hand
INTRODUCTION
1
INTRODUCTION
III. PROJECT BASIC INFORMATION Project Team: Emily Ashby, Irene Preciado, Timothy Morris, Luke Gates Graduate Student Mentor: Erin Root Community Partner: Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative, University of Venda Faculty Advisor: Anselmo Canfora Project Title: reCOVER: Water and Health in Limpopo (WHIL) Ceramic Water Filter Factory/Science Resource Center and Landscape Prototype Brief Summary of Project: This reCOVER/JPC project brings together academic, civic and professional organizations to work collaboratively to benefit the common good. In partnership with the University of Virginia’s Water and Health in Limpopo project; the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, South Africa; the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative; FilterPure, Inc.; and the Arup Cause Program, the reCOVER team will focus on a multi-phased, multi-sectorial implementation strategy of a ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design prototype. IV. WORK PLAN GOALS & OBJECTIVES: 1. Conduct comprehensive research in the area of ceramic water filter factory and science resource center design and construction 2. Conduct comprehensive research in the area of landscape design and land use 3. Develop thorough documentation of the ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design and build process for future dissemination through public lectures and scholarly writing 4. Realize a field-tested, production-ready ceramic water filter factory working with WHIL and community partners to build future facilities throughout the Limpopo province and ultimately in South Africa ACTIVITIES: 1. Evaluate and determine areas of improvement of existing factory while conducting a comprehensive study of similar building typologies in-country as well as globally 2. Address critical design and performance parameters of scheduling, cost and implementation 3. Compile and catalogue comprehensive research in the area of manufacturing factory and associated facilities design and implementation 4. Represent development of ideas through an iterative process of scaled physical and digital drawings and three-dimensional models 5. Evaluate local building practices and identify locally–sourced materials and building products for use in the project OUTCOMES (DELIVERABLES): 1. Complete drawing set of the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center prototype and implementation strategy supported by scaled physical and digital three-dimensional models IMPLEMENTATION STEPS: 1. Consistent weekly working schedule in design studio between all 5 team members (including graduate student mentor) and Anselmo Canfora (3rd Floor Architecture Studio in Campbell Hall) 2. Biweekly meetings at Campbell Hall (3rd Floor Architecture Studio) between project team and WHIL representatives to discuss the development of the project 3. Documentation and representation of design development ideas through scaled drawings and models (All work to be conducted in Campbell Hall, 3rd Floor Architecture Studio) 4. Documentation and execution of implementation drawings 5. Biweekly working sessions with project team and consulting architects, builders and manufacturers 6. Building materials specification and procurement study in collaboration with WHIL representatives PROJECT TIMELINE AND DATE TO BE COMPLETED: Summer 2012 (June through August) 1. Analysis and assessment of earlier design iterations of the ceramic water filter factory and science
2 PROJECT WORK PLAN
reCOVER/ JPC PROJECT WORK PLAN
resource center prototype with WHIL representatives and Arup engineer (Anselmo Canfora – Initiative reCOVER Project Director; Ewan Smith, Arup Associates structural engineer consultant for the ‘Arup Cause’ program) 2. Drawing, modeling and structural simulation of new iterations of ceramic water filter factory and science resource center and landscape prototype design
Fall 2012 (September through December) 1. Continued evaluation of the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center prototype design with WHIL representatives 2. Development of final specifications and drawings for building process
Spring 2012 (January through May) 1. Compile all evaluations and feedback on design for final report 2. Finalize implementation schedule for the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center buildings and landscape
TEAM MEMBER RESPONSIBLITIES: The members of project team will share the same responsibilities including research, design development, scaled drawing and model building . Each team member will share in an equal distribution of quantity and type of work throughout the project. The graduate mentor will assume additional responsibilities related to technical and systems management of the project. RESOURCES NEEDED: 1. Funding for student stipends 2. Funding for supplies and materials for scaled drawings and models 3. Funding for travel
Student, Timothy Morris sketching existing site conditions
PROJECT WORK PLAN
3
TIMELINE
WEEK 1 | JUNE 4-10 T
M
TH
W
F
S
S
Elim
Visit to the Greenery Projects Visit to Tshapasha slow Sand Filter
Nandoni Dam
The Nandoni Dam supplies water for domestic use in Thohoyandou, Makhado, and surrounding rural areas. It proved to be a monumental visual icon of local water infrastructure.
Dinner with Prof. Sacharan
Visit to Albasisni Dam
ThatweVondo Dam
Albasini Dam
The Albasini Dam is primary used for agricultural irrigation. We gained understanding of the region’s collection and dispersal of water as an economic commodity and stimulant.
Vowani Science Center
In tandem with the mission of the University of Venda, the Vuwani Science Resource Centre aims to reach out to the rural population and to contribute significantly to the development of the rural community through specific educational services. Visit to ThatweVondo Dam
Phiphidi Waterfalls
Visit to Vowani Science Center
Thohoyandou
Phiphidi waterfalls have had sacred ancestral and spiritual significance in the Venda community for generations. We learned that the ways the Venda perceive and interact with different natural water sources affect their access to water.
Dinner with Peter Mbati, the Vice Chancellor, of the University of Venda
Visit Today Primary School and Community Library reCOVER presentation at UniVen
TIMELINE
4
WEEK 2 | JUNE 11-17 T
M
TH
W
F
S
S
Kruger
Kruger National Park is one of Limpopo’s most valued and preserved landscape and wildlife attractions. We were awed and inspired by new sites and sounds which give the region a unique identity.
Shiluvari
Met with CWF Team
Mukondeni
Met with Dr. John Mudau Team met with other WHIL groups (the Ceramic Water Filter Team) and Dr. John Mudau to brief each other on our progress to date. We shared information imparted by women at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to avoid repetitive conversation. (pg. 17)
Makuleke
Erin and Anselmo meet and introduce themselves to the women at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative.
Peter Rich is an architect from Johannesburg who designed the Makuleke Community Center. His project shares a similar scale, style, and site as our design. He utilizes outdoor gathering spaces and terracing with local materials.
Makuleke Community Center
Phiphidi Waterfalls
The Phiphidi Waterfalls are one of only two naturally occuring resevoirs in the Limpopo region. The falls are not used for drinking water, as they are considered sacred to the Venda population.
Meeting with Mukondeni women to discuss future of factory facility (pg. 7) Phiphidi Waterfalls
Meeting with Mukondeni women Dinner with Chief Ratshitanga
reCOVER team arrives in Limpopo
TIMELINE
5
WEEK 3 | JUNE 18-22 T
M
W
TH
F
S
S
Returned to the US UNIVEN
Thohoyandou
Met with Dr. John Mudau and Prof. Netshandama (pg. 17)
Met with Simon Ogombwe to discuss water infrustructure, climate, and social dynamics surrounding water as a resource.
Visited Hardware Met with Mr. Stores to price Masakwana at Khouroni materials
Met with Mahanya, a dean of engineering at Vhembe FET. We discussed construction techniques, material sizes, and drawing conventions. He generously offered to be a resource for questions we may encounter as we continue design development. (pg 17)
Met with Professor Ligavha to discuss options for propagation plants for the Mukondeni Site
Nandoni Dam
The Nandoni Dam supplies water for domestic use in Thohoyandou, Makhado, and surrounding rural areas. It proved to be a monumental visual icon of local water infrastructure.
Ben Lavin Nature Reserve
The reserve has a large volume and variety of plant life from which we could note effective species to utilize in the landscape scheme.
Louis Trichardt
Observed vernacular architecture in surrounding urban downtown centers
Met with Cornelius Heigenmeir, Dr. John Mudau, Professor Netshandama, Stakeholders from SEDA and DTI (pg 18-19)
Green Farms
Green Farms prepares, packages, and distributes macadamia nuts.Touring an effective neighboring factory facility gave us insight to both the future of our project.
Mukondeni
The team took precise site and building measurements. We walked along the perimeter of the property line and documented a detailed site plan.
Shiluvari
Traditional South African Braii
Dinner with CWF Team
TIMELINE
6
MEETING BRIEF
7 EXISTING SITE
Notes gathered from Meeting with mukondeni Pottery Co-op addressing the existing challenges and needs
WATER Community’s perception of water use and storage limits amount of municipal water women comfortable with collecting New borehole nearer to factory will alleviate shortage, include pump for jojo tank Women open to rainwater collection from rooftops; will not feel obligated to share with community Water collected from roofs requires purification, long-term storage solution Current drinking water sourced from municipal supply pipe Municipal water supply available to women for an estimated two hours every other day Potential tension between community and pottery cooperative regarding tax exemption status EQUIPMENT The electric kiln does not get up to the proper temperature to vitrify pots, leaving it abandoned and in disrepair The wood-fired kiln is structurally inadequate and needs to be restructured or rebuilt Shelving necessary to maximize efficiency of kilns Women expressed a desire for uniforms Safety equipment necessary for use of wood-burning kilns (gloves, jackets, pants, face-shields, and closed-toed shoes) The cylindrical wood-burning kiln (east of the building, north of the existing wood-fired kiln) is abandoned and in disrepair The women expressed interest in having square work tables for four people to use comfortably IDENTITY Signage leading to the cooperative and a sign in front of their building could attract more business The women desire assistance transporting their work to markets, stores, etc. to expand their business The rondavels serve as a cultural attraction, but windows and doors need to be fully installed MISCELLANEOUS Women in favor of trees for shade and wood, not necessarily fruit or medicinal trees due to risk of trespassing, and theft Method of displaying pots as well as a secured storage area would benefit the cooperative The women expressed interest in further securing the site with protective fencing
Observations of the site and context
8 SKETCHES
SKETCHES
Observations regarding the integrity, safety, and longevity of the existing factory shed WHIL/reCOVER Structural assessment of existing shed building Ewan CT Smith MEng, CEng, MIStructE, MIED Senior Engineer | Building Structures Arup July 19, 2012 Firstly, to summarise what we can see in the photos. [Images provided by reCOVER/JPC team] It seems that the roof trusses are not connected rigidly to the supporting posts, so very little lateral load transfer will be possible. There also appears to be no vertical cross bracing between the supporting posts, so we can only assume the stability is provided by fully embedding the posts into the ground and creating a fixed support. Thus, the system is essentially a series of columns embedded into the ground, each supporting itself through lateral earth pressure on the base of the embedded post. [Additionally, concrete was used to cast the post in the ground; this detail was not clearly seen in the images reviewed by the structural engineer.] The roof trusses are then supported off these posts. There does seem to be both lateral and plan bracing present between the trusses, but the connections to the supporting posts are very poor. The quality of the truss construction looks reasonable by African standards in places but substantially poorer in others. Some connections have been nailed with gang plates, these connections look reasonable. The connections to the vertical truss members look less secure. In summary, I would expect there to be considerable lateral movement (or sway) in the frame, because the supporting posts, although embedded in the ground, are very slender. The overall stability is entirely reliant on the posts being effectively fixed in the ground; as the soil is washed away from the posts, the stability will be compromised. [This will be helped somewhat by the concrete footings mentioned above.] I am also very concerned about the connections to the top of the posts which secure the trusses. These look wholly inadequate and appear to be secured by one piece of wire. I would recommend bracing is added to the posts in localised areas (either cross bracing using timber of steel wires, or masonry infill wall panels) and a secure timber ring beam at the top of column level is also added to effectively tie the columns together at truss level. This beam would give a better zone for fastening the trusses to. The trusses then need to be fixed to the beam more effectively that they currently are, either using larger steel straps, or preferable a bolted plate connection. The bracing in the roof should be checked for «sturdiness» and, if necessary, reaffixed. The timber trusses, where joints to the vertical members look poor need to be reaffixed, preferably with a bolted connection with oversized washer plates. With the recommendations above, I would suggest it may be easier to remove the roof, rebuild the trusses at ground level, add the ring beam and bracing, then reinstate the roof. I would suggest that little extra material is required other than bolts, bracing and a ring beam (the roof sheeting and majority of the trusses can be reused), but I think it would take a considerable labour resource to complete the task.
9 EXISTING SITE
EXISTING FACTORY STRUCTURE
GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES
10 carbon dioxide
ROAD TO VILLAGE
raw clay
gneiss
ARTISINAL dry
GEOLOGICAL
DIAGRAMS
And their role in the pottery process on the site mine transport
carbonic acid
feldspar
mafic minerals
PRODUCTION FACILITY kaolinite
chemical weathering physical weathering
water
COMMUNITY SPACE
quartz
mill
water
clean
oxides
powdered clay
CLAY DEPOSIT
sand
bicarbonate
mix wet clay
potassium, sodium ions
mixer
seive
sawdust
hammer mill
wedge
press organic matter
press
erosion
soil
ship
store cool
ceramic filter
paint
fire
dry form wedge
display
raw clay
fire dry trim coat
formed clay
form formed clay
trim
cool soak drip
dry
dry
fire
fire
fired clay
fired clay
cool
cool
mix clean
craft
topsoil
kiln
mill
clay rich subsoil
dry
regolith
water
soak tank nanoparticles
bedrock
raw clay
kiln
soak
oxides
drip coat
paint
dry
dry
store ship
display
ceramic filter
graphite
craft
SPATIALIZING THE POTTERY PROCESS This logistics diagram visualizes the complete process of making fifty ceramic water filters. The duration for each step in the process is represented on the horizontal axis in hours. So, If a procedure involves more than one person or if a machine is necessary for a task during specified time, then the time is divided by the number of people working and is horizontally shortened accordingly.
compress time diagram mine clean and prepare
dry
fire test and treat
categorize processes water mixing
offset water displacement water evaporating
The initial site strategy is a derivation of a series of graphic manipulations of the timeline described above. The intention is to identify and assign work spaces across the site in a logical manner, while accounting for the necessary use of water during the process of making ceramic water filters. The workflow also considers how individual or groups of women work on isolated or collective tasks.
impose modular grid and adjust size for spatial requirements
rotate to combine similar spaces and make cyclical
derived from the diagrams kiln
soak tank water
store
display
craft
ship
dry dry
coat
drip
fired clay
FLOOR PLAN
graphite
paint
fired clay
soak
cool
oxides
cool
fire fire
dry
dry
kiln
ceramic filter
The overall timeline is subdivided into five categories: they are 1) Mining the clay; 2) Cleaning and Preparing the clay (this includes sieving the clay and mixing with water and sawdust, in addition to pressing the filter and cleaning up imperfections); 3) Drying the filters after they have been pressed; 4) Firing the filters in the kiln, and; 5) Testing and treating the filters with the colloidal silver. The resulting diagrammatic organization of the buildings on the site was used to generate multiple iterations of potential site plans. The site plan illustrated here represents the most viable organization of new buildings, exterior spaces and terracing while integrating existing buildings on the site.
nanoparticles
Proposed Parking
Existing Structure: Shop and Offices, Proposed Childcare Proposed Community Center
Proposed Composting Toilets Proposed and Existing Wood Kilns
Proposed Amphitheatre Proposed Pottery Studio Existing Rondavels Proposed Filter Factory
DIAGRAMS + PROPOSED DESIGN
11
12 PROPOSED DESIGN
SITE PLAN + DESIGN DESCRIPTION + SECTION
The latest iteration of the design includes central gathering spaces defined by terracing. The concept of using roof surfaces and multiple, easily accessible, cisterns to harvest water for year-round use continues to be an important feature of our design. A small modification to the roof design includes multiple clearstory slots which allow more natural light and ventilation into the buildings, while a secondary trellis system provides additional shading over transitional spaces between indoor and outdoor facilities. The design includes a palette of trees intended to be used for propagation to fuel the two proposed wood kilns. The six types of trees we have chosen were suggested by Professor Lagavha, a Botanist at the University of Venda. These trees are hardwood, fairly fast-growing and have the potential to be used for medicinal purposes. In addition, they create a privacy barrier between the facility and the road, a concern voiced by the Mukondeni Potters in the past.
SOUTH AFRICA’S CLAY ROUTE SOUTH AFRICA’S CLAYFACITILIES ROUTE WITHIN THE COUNTRY’S LATOSOL CLAY DEPOSITS ARRANGEMENT OF CLAY A NEW CONNECTIVITY
CRITERIA FOR THE PLACEMENT AND NETWORKING OF FUTURE FACTORIES:
a system of factory prototypes develops over time, creating an infrastructure of physical connections as well as a sharing of techniques, materials, and educational practices
• Clay facility must be within the existing Latosol deposit • Each administrative zone has its own facility, assuming that each administrative zone has its own chief and administrator • Clay facility must be within a certain distance of a major river for access to water for mixing clay and testing water filters • Clay facility must be within a certain distance of an urban area for access to building materials
FUTURE FACTORIES + NETWORK
sites that serve as possible locations for filter factories based on the outlined criteria
URBAN AREAS
regions of South Africa with the building supplies, populations, and market for a filter factory’s success
LATASOL CLAY DEPOSITS + WATERWAYS areas framed by access to raw materials
CONTEXT MAPS LIMPOPO REGION, SOUTH AFRICA MUKONDENI POTTERY COLLECTIVE
LOUIS TRICHARDT
MUKONDENI
POLOKWANE
POPULATION - 5,439,600
POPULATION - 49,991,300
SOUTH AFRICA
MUKONDENI, SOUTH AFRICA
MUKONDENI
MUKONDENI POTTERY COOPERATIVE
GPS - EAST 30.1084, SOUTH -23.2540
GPS - EAST 30.1084, SOUTH -23.2540 POPULATION - 2,375
673.5 + HP 673
JOJO TANK 672
POTTERY CO-OP
671 670
RONDOVALS
FACTORY SHED
669
FISH POND 668
667
CLAY DEPOSIT
666
5 P66 +L
CONTEXT + DIAGRAMS
13
ARRANGEMENT OF CLAY FACILITIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY’S LATOSOL CLAY DEPOSITS
RAINWATER COLLECTION
14 EXISTING BUILDING 43,718 L
COMMUNITY CENTER 24,4981 L
PROPOSED DESIGN
COLLECTING WATER TO IRRIGATE FILTER FACTORY 24,4981 L
POTTERY STUDIO 24,4981 L
Factory Water Demand:
4 L for wet-forming 1 filter membrane (4 L/pot) 800 L/month for 200 pots at low capacity production *ideal 1600 L/month for 400 pots at medium capacity production 3200 L/pot for 800 pots at high capacity production 15 L/pot flow rate (200 pots requires 3000 L/month
Community Space Water Demand: 20 L/person/day 600 L/person/month 33000 L/month for 55 people
TOTAL: 33,000 L/month
TOTAL: 4,200 L/month
ROOF RUNOFF
55,440
28,512
37,800
41,817
July
August
15,120 11,404
3,888 6,480
28512
December
January
February
March
WET SEASON
April
DRY SEASON
May
June
3888 3888
8640 8640
10454.4 7920 7920 3564 3564
5616 5832
11404.8
16473.6 12960 12480 9720 9720
0L November
972 1,620 3,780 2,851
972 972 2160 2160 2851.2
1,404 2,340 5,460 4,118
5,040 3,801
July
21600 21600 14256 14256
5000 L
October
Studio
Existing Building August September
June
1404 1620 3120 3120 4118.4
May
Factory
1296 1296 2880 2880 3801.6
1,296
2,160
3,564 5,940
13,860 10,454
21,840 16,473
5,616 9,720
16,200
23,760
9,720
April
6696
10000 L
March
Community Center
WET SEASON DRY SEASON
10368
15000 L
14880 14880 14880
20000 L
14904
19641.6
25000 L
February
23040 23040 23040
30000 L
January
Latrine
31680 31680
30412.8
35000 L
December
31920 31920
November
14364 14364
October
33120 33600 33120
40000 L
41817.6
0L
ROOF RUNOFF
14,256
42134.4
43718.4
14,364
14,904
23,940
25,200
42,134
43,718
40,320
17,280 10,368
10,000 L
45000 L
6,696 11,160
20,000 L
50000 L
30,412
26,040 19,641
30,000 L
55,860
57,960
Clean drinking water is a scarce resource in the Limpopo region. The Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative currently relies 70,000 L Kitchen on a borehole they share with the community. For drinking and facility production purposes, the Cooperative currently Latrine 60,000 L receives water for only one quarter of a full week’s quota of necessary water. The proposed new facility utilizes a tiered Community Center Factory roofing system designed to collect rainwater throughout the dry and rainy seasons. This would enable the Mukondeni Existing Building 50,000 L Pottery Cooperative to be more self-sustaining, and not as reliant on the community borehole for its water consumption. (continued on the next page) 40,000 L
September
RAINWATER COLLECTION
The roofTREE and collection all then the rainwater to 30 gallon header tanks,towhich are placed below the ceiling IF ONE GROWS 1system METERredirects PER YEAR, EACH TREE WILL NEED 10 YEARS PRODUCE TWO CORDS of WOOD and utilize gravity to distribute the water for drinking, cooking, bathing and factory production. When necessary, the ceramic filters made on site are used to filter roof runoff. Additional roof runoff bypasses the header tank and travels directly10toM a large partially in-ground concrete cistern. Built on-site, multiple cisterns will be covered to prevent bacterial 10 Mand water theft. Calculations have shown that the total water collected over the span of one year from 35 feet(35’) = contamination (35’) 10 meters roof runoff will be sufficient to support the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative based on 20 liter consumption for each of the 45 women of the Cooperative. In addition, the water harvested from the proposed roof design would support the factory’s production of ceramic filters based on a four liter per filter usage from start of the manufacturing process, when clay is mixed with22water the the clay filter moves through soak and drip CORDSand sawdust, to the completion1of =pot, 4’ x 4’when x 8’ STORAGE SPACE 1 CORD = 4’ x 4’CORD xCORD 8’ storage space (2 CORDS CORDS 2 CORDS ==4’8’xx4’8’ x x8’16’) STORAGE SPACE = 8’ x 8’ x 16’ ) (21CORDS testing to ensure it works properly. (2 CORDS = 8’ x 8’ x 16’)
==
+ +
IF 1 TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, TREEWILL WILL IF 1 TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR,THEN THEN EACH EACH TREE NEED 10 YEARS TO PRODUCE 2 YEARS, OF WOOD. 10 YEARS TO PRODUCE 2CORDS CORDS OF WOOD. Using wood asNEED fuel for10 the kiln 1,200 CORDS in YEARS, 96,000 FILTERS in 10 9,600 FILTERS in 1 YEAR , 800 FILTERS in 1 MONTH 600 TREES on SITE = TREE PROPAGATION
IF ONE TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, then EACH TREE WILL NEED 10 YEARS to PRODUCE TWO CORDS of WOOD
====
10 M
10 M 35 feet(35’) = (35’) 10 meters
1 CORD
+ + + 1 FIRING
CORDS 1 CORD CORD 212CORDS 2 CORDS
80 FILTERS IN 2 DAYS
= 4’ x 4’ x 8’ STORAGE SPACE 1 FIRING FIRING 80(2FILTERS IN TWO 80 FILTERS IN 2 DAYS DAYS 1 CORD = 14’ x 14’CORD 8’ storage CORDS 1xCORD = 4’ x 4’space x 8’ STORAGE SPACE = 8’ x 8’ x 16’ )
CORDS = 8’ x 8’ x 16’) CORDS 8’ x 8’ x 16’) 600 TREES ON SITE = 1,200 CORDS(2(2IN 10 =YEARS 600 TREES ON SITE = 1,200 CORDS IN 10 YEARS 96,000 FILTERS IN 10 YEARS IF 1 TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, THEN EACH TREEWILL WILL IFon 1 TREE METER PER YEAR,IN THEN EACH TREE 600 TREES SITE = GROWS 1 96,000 FILTERS 10 YEARS 9,600 FILTERS IN 1 YEAR NEED 10 YEARS TO PRODUCE 2 YEARS, OF WOOD. NEED 10 YEARS TO PRODUCE 2CORDS CORDS OF WOOD. 1,200 CORDS in 10 YEARS, 96,000 FILTERS in 10 9,600 FILTERS in 1 YEAR , 800 FILTERS in 1 MONTH 9,600 IN YEAR 800 FILTERS IN 11MONTH
800 FILTERS IN 1 MONTH
== 1 CORD
+ 1 FIRING
1 CORD 1 CORD
FIRING 11 FIRING
600 TREES ON SITE = 1,200 CORDS IN 10 YEARS
80 FILTERS IN 2 DAYS
80 FILTERS IN TWO 80 FILTERS IN 2 DAYS DAYS
In order sustain the Pottery Cooperative production, it will be necessary to establish a 600toTREES ONMukondeni SITE = 1,200 CORDS INfilter 10 YEARS 96,000 FILTERS INfactory 10 YEARS sustainable source of wood on site to96,000 fire the desired filter quota per month. IN110 YEARS We are proposing that the wood used to 9,600FILTERS FILTERS IN YEAR fire the kiln will no longer be purchased from vendors, but instead will be supplied by the cooperative’s own on site tree 9,600 IN 11MONTH YEAR 800 FILTERS IN propagation. (continued on the next page)
800 FILTERS IN 1 MONTH
PLANT PALETTE
General Criteria: fast Growing, hardwood to build heat in the wood kiln, medicinal usage, fruit bearing
Acacia Karroo
Sweet thorn
Shrub to medium-sized tree, variable in shape but typically with a rounded crown; occurring in bushveld, grassland and coastal dune forest. The tree is browsed by game. Bark used in tanning, yields a strong rope, produces an edible gum, and is used in traditional medicine, as is the root. Seeds roasted and sused coffee substitute. The wood is hard and heavy but prone to borer attack. Trees often proliferate in overgrazed areas.
Pterocarpus Rotundifolia
Dichrostachys Cinerea
Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, often multistemmed; occurring in bushveld and woodland. Bark rough and longitudinally fissured. The wood is pale brown with a featureless grain, and is used for household utensils; ubpleasantly scented when cut. Larval food plant for the butterflies.
Shrub or small tree with a rather untidy crown, often flat-topped; occurring in bushveld, often invasive and thicket-forming, particularly in overgrazed areas. Stock and game eat the pods. Various parts of the tree are used medicinally. Bark yields a strong fibre. The wood is hard and durable, used for fence poles and much sought after as firewood.
Round-leaved teak
Sickle bush
Peltiphorum Africanum
Combretum Apiculatum
Small to medium-sized tree with a dense crown; occurring in bushveld, often on sandy soils. The species is browsed by game. Bark and root used for medicinal purposes. Wood suitable for carving. Several butterflies breed on the tree. A decorative garden subject. Sap-sucking insects known as spittle bugs, occcur in large numbers on the branches during certain times of the year. They excrete almost pure water, which froths around the insect and drips constantly to the ground, thus causing the tree to”rain’ or ‘weep’.
Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, with brownish red or golden yellow autumn colours; occurring in bushveld, often at low altitudes and in rocky places, on well-drained soils. Heartwood dark brown to black, hard, heavy, fine-frained and termite resistant, used for fencing posts and fuel (cols can last up to 12 hours). Bark used for tanning leather. Leaves browsed by game, the fallen ones by cattle; also used medicinally.
Weeping Wattle
Red bushwillow
Euclea Linearis
Ebony tree
Shrub or small to medum-sized tree with slender, drooping branches; sexes separate, on different plants; occurring in semi-desert and deseert areas, usually along watercourses and in depressions. The heartwood is pitch black (hence common names), hard and durable, used in construction and as fuelwood. Twigs used for toothbrushes. Browsed by stock. Fruit edible but not very palatable; also fed to chickens to harden eggshells.
PROPOSED DESIGN
15
COLLECTING WATER TO DRINK AND IRRIGATE
RAINWATER COLLECTION
16 PROPOSED DESIGN
COLLECTING WATER TO DRINK AND IRRIGATE
Propogation Parameters:
7.5 liters per tree per day minimum 25 liters per tree per day maximum 5 mm per tree per month (evaporation rate) 345 mm per tree per month minimum 930 mm per tree per month maximum
Propogation Water Demand for 600 trees:
207000 liters per month minimum 558000 liters per month maximum
Surface Area of Site: 24,5000 m2
TOTAL: 558000 L/month
TREE PROPAGATION 12000 L
6533
6959
9516
9587
9942
The proposed site and building design allows for approximately 600 trees, assuming each tree is allotted nine square maximum amount of trees that can be irrigated meters of canopy space. The trees would be grown in rotations, enabling coppicing (the harvesting of a tree at the 10000 L average amount of trees that can be irrigated base, and leaving a trunk to produce new growth from the stump). For example, while a 25-tree lot is harvested, a minimum amount of trees that can be irrigated second 25-tree lot would be allowed to grow until ready for harvesting. 8000 L
1001
1460
781
423
290
1065
576
395
369
994
538
922
2486
1345
1423
2075
2424
Surface Area of Site: 24,5000 m2
2699
3835
3536
3530
1686
2460
2582
3556
5150
5188
3688
3766
4545
5380
As6000 shown on the previous page, a plant palate of fast growing, native hardwood trees has been identified to help L achieve the appropriate kiln temperature levels to ensure the most effective firing processes. We have assumed that a 20 foot wood kiln requires one cord of wood to fire 80 ceramic filters in two days. If the potters were to grow 4000square L 600 trees on site in rotations, each year, then 9,600 filters could be produced per annum. A valid concern with a tree 2000 L propagation strategy is whether there will be enough water throughout the year to sustain young saplings. Generally, Propogation Parameters: a tree that stands 10 meters, takes in 25 liters of water per day. As the diagram shows, (on the next page) if we were 7.5 liters per tree per day minimum per tree per day maximum 0L to collect water from the255 mmliters ground water runoff and feed it into cisterns both in Propogation the dry season andforthe per tree per month (evaporation rate) Water Demand 600 wet trees: season, we 345 mm per tree per month minimum 207000 liters per month minimum 930 mm per tree per month maximum 558000 liters per month maximum October November February March June July August September would have enough water toDecember support January more than the proposed 600Apriltrees. May TOTAL: 558000 L/month
WET SEASON DRY SEASON
TREE PROPAGATION 12000 L
9516
9587
9942
maximum amount of trees that can be irrigated 10000 L
average amount of trees that can be irrigated minimum amount of trees that can be irrigated
6533
6959
8000 L
5188
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
WET SEASON DRY SEASON
May
1001
290
781
1460
July
423
395
1065
June
576
994
538
369
0L
922
2486 1345
1423
2424
2699
3835
3536
3530
3556
5150
2075
2000 L
1686
2460
2582
4000 L
3688
3766
4545
5380
6000 L
August
September
17 PROPOSED DESIGN
RENDERINGS +TREE PROPAGATION
The central gathering terrace and ampitheater overlooking the new pottery studio and water filter factory.
The community learning center housing cultural exhibition space and a multipurpose classroom, viewed from centeral gathering terrace.
The new studio and filter factory situated between the exisiting co-op builing and iconic rondavels. The transformed ladscape features fastgrowing hardwoods for privacy and fuel.
MEETING WITH PROF. JOHN MUDAU (6/14/12) The following are important points taken during the meeting: ▪ He informed us that UNIVEN is organizing another borehole to be drilled/installed at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative ▪ No one is paying land taxes on the land that the cooperative is on ▪ The hammer mill is not operational; it blows out a lot of dust [it has since been repaired] ▪ We discusses pricing safety equipment/clothing such as gloves, boots, and jackets for kiln firing ▪ First-aid kits and preparation is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately; a first-aid kid should be conveniently located in the Cooperative ▪ Jeff Hadell, an official in the South African government, organized the funding to construct the cooperative’s building MEETING WITH PROF. VHONANI NETSHANDAMA (6/19/12) ▪ Prof. Netshandama wanted us to recount for her the good, the bad, and the ‘ugly’ of our experiences in our first week in South Africa ▪ Some women in the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative train adult learners in reading and writing – the community center aspect of the project would feed off of this practice, as well as traditional Venda beading ▪ The Dept. of Higher Education and Training might become involved if the community center ran educational programs ▪ UNIVEN is open to the idea of having a university branch at the Cooperative’s building ▪ There is an agricultural university near Mukondeni ▪ UNIVEN imagines this university branch as a facility with classrooms and apartments ▪ The women could teach pottery along with the other teachers at the university branch ▪ There is an art gallery at UNIVEN displaying traditional Venda craft, including pots made at the Mukondeni Cooperative ▪ It is Prof. Netshandama’s dream that Mukondeni would be an “art center for learning” ▪ Prof. Netshandama emphasized the idea that the women are rightfully protective of their space ▪ The women are used to projects that come and fail; the most important thing for any project is that it rejuvenates their imagination ▪ The chief of Mukondeni (who owns the land where the Cooperative is located) is not concerned with changing the site boundaries at the moment, but this could change ▪ Prof. Netshendama believes that it would be advantageous to make the new building include a training center She wishes for us to “forgive ourselves for what we cannot do” MEETING WITH PROF. MAHANYA, DEAN OF THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL AT VHEMBE F.E.T. (6/21/12) ▪ There is no earthquake risk in the region, and very little severe weather, so building codes are very lenient ▪ There are two options to contract out building work in South Africa – self-driven construction and hiring private contractors: of the two, private contractors are better ▪ Contractors accredited by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) or the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) are the best, but be sure to ask for a profile of the buildings the (general) contractor has overseen ▪ South African building codes are available online at the South Africa Bureau of Standards website (sabs.co.za) ▪ Traditional walls are double-brick, with some single-brick; walls are usually between 75-150 mm ▪ In recent years, authorities in the Limpopo Province have had to ease building codes because people are reluctant to give up traditional building methods ▪ Private buildings do not require building permits, whereas public buildings do require permitting. ▪ We will need to turn in a comprehensive plan to the municipality before constructing any other public buildings ▪ In order to transport the materials, the building supply store can arrange for transport; alternately, there are usually men that wait around outside of hardware stores to transport materials (to be hired informally for a fee) ▪ Buy timber from plantations, not hardware stores – it will be considerably less expensive ▪ Aluminum is not readily available as a building material
18 MEETING NOTES
MEETING NOTES
How the project can move forward with the help of external organizations OVERVIEW On Friday, 22 June, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) hosted a meeting to share information amongst currently involved parties and potential new stakeholders., The meeting served to elucidate the progress of the project, its goals, and the overall direction with the consideration of various perspectives. Stakeholders then presented the team with an array of services which their organizations could employ to enrich the collaboration and benefit the project as a whole. Throughout the discussion, UNIVEN representatives stressed the importance of maintaining appropriate protocols and effective community engagement strategies as the teams continue to work with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative. ATTENDANCE University of Venda Prof. John Mudau Prof. Vhonani Netshandama Student partners (Kole, Dennis) University of Virginia Ceramic Water Filter engineering and business representatives (Carly, Molly, David) reCOVER architecture representatives (Erin, Emily, Timothy) Other Organizations Marcus Mukumela: SEDA representative Patrick Khumalo: DTI representative THE PROJECT Origins of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative and the Involvement of UNIVEN and WHIL Clay deposit began being used in 1947 Inconsistent availability of municipal water Ceramic water filter could improve drinking water quality Interest in rural development at UniVen Desire for other community functions and people to be involved at site Existing relationship between UniVen and University of Virginia Progress of Various Groups to Date Architecture: While in South Africa, the reCOVER/JPC architecture team from the University of Virginia made progress in gaining a better understanding of how water is perceived and used on a daily basis in the Venda culture. The team was interested in learning more about how this relationship with water affects various societal aspects from land use, inter-community relations, to how drinking supplies are managed. In addition to visiting culturally and environmentally relevant sites throughout Limpopo, the team worked closely with the women of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative on site at Mukondeni, gathering information addressing the needs and desires of the cooperative. Additionally, the team observed existing dynamics and conditions of the site, while document various aspects of the exisiting physical plant and overall site, important information to the ongoing design process. Other pertinent information was gathered through discussions with experts throughout the region, including several UNIVEN professors and members of the local and regional government. From here, the team intends to develop design strategies which are more focused on the needs of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative while integrating design considerations of broader cultural and environmental issues. In the near trm, the reCOVER/JPC team will continue with design development, a preliminary first iteration of construction documents, and working more closely with Arup engineering to address infrastructural and structural aspects of the project. Business/Engineering: The Ceramic Water Filter team will continue to work on site to address the production of ceramic filters to a level which can be sustained after their departure. We have understood their primary challenges to include the functionality of the facilities (i.e. malfunctioning kilns and equipemnt) and initial market penetration for CWF sales and distribution. As the Ceramic Water Filter team conducts necessary repairs, they will reach out to markets such as hardware stores in Thohoyandou and Louis Trichardt which could carry the filters, thereby expanding the business into more populated areas of Limpopo. With help from a visiting specialist from Potters for Peace, the the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative
19 MEETING NOTES
STAKEHOLDER MEETING BRIEF
will learn to safely operate and maintain the equipment necessary for manufacturing the filters. Ideally, the Cooperative will soon be producing a volume of useable filters for distribution on a local and, potentially, regional scale. Issue contributing to the complexity of the project: (these points were gleaned from the meeting) Multiple stakeholders requires cautious and thoughtful decision making Training as a core strategy: educate to succeed Effectively running a business Maintaining equipment, operations, and safety standards and procedures Managing the site (security, sales and tourism) Think about pertinent maintenance and how it is crucial to longevity of the program What training and support will be required? Sustainable practices are key to the success of the project SEDA’s role: The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) is a good example of an organization which can provide local support for the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative through a variety of services. We understood SEDA could potentially help develop the identity of the business by addressing signage, links to urban areas, tourism routes, business cards, logos, website development, and other advertising strategies. Furthermore, they could provide additional quality testing of the ceramic water filters.This important from the standpoint of determining whether the product fulfills local, regional and national standards. Documentation and certification of these parameters are included in SEDA’s capabilities of launching this small business into larger markets. Members could assist the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative by ensuring that the co-op complies with governmental regulations, collaborating to structure the business (specialization, management, book-keeping, etc.), and connecting with markets. SEDA’s expertise in helping small enterprises with various business development aspects from product identity to personnel training could provide the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative with an invaluable resource and local network of business support. DTI’s role: Similar to SEDA, the Business Development Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry could work with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to catalyze operations and appeal to a broader market. They are willing to collaborate with SEDA, UNIVEN, and other stakeholders interested in the project while providing guidance in regard to federal protocols and procedures given their working relationship with the government of South Africa. Examples of programs that DTI could contribute to the project include developing cooperative incentive schemes and events which would exhibit the product across the region. Community Engagement: (these points were gleaned from the meeting): Specialization, focus will benefit the project overall Making sure the women maintain ownership of the co-op Involvement of additional groups should not disempower the co-op Competing objectives could overwhelm beneficiaries Consciousness of the dynamics must be maintained Assist the women or praise them for their work; encouragement Too many focus groups and questions can be overwhelming Compartmentalization is dangerous
FUNDING
REALIZING THE SHARED VISION As we move forward with the WHIL Ceramic Water Filter Factory and Science Resource Center project, we are aware of the challenges we face in raising funds to be able to realize the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative facilities. The Initiative reCOVER/JPC team is prepared to assist the stakeholders from the University of Venda, University of Virginia, and the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative in generating the necessary documentation and visual descriptions for fundraising and educational efforts. We see our design and communication efforts throughout the development of the project to be reliant on the feedback from the UNIVEN and WHIL collaborators, while we maintain the overall design principles, scope, and best practices critical to the realization of the project.
MEETING NOTES
20