BRIEF: To empower the Women of Nepal, by improving educational access to all citizens, men and women. I argue that the most effective way in which to engender change is NOT to tackle solely women-only issues, but to implement changes across larger demographics, which would have a wider, more sustainable impact. One aspect of this that affects Nepalese society currently is the lack of a wider communication infrastructure, which inhibits education in both traditional academic and social/cultural senses, mainly in more remote rural areas. As Nepal becomes more urban, this lack of access to educational material impacts across the country and disproportionately women. Via a series of interventions that work independently and alongside one another, I propose a timeline of works that develop small interventions tapping into broadcast networks through to ground-up communication and internet systems, although not in the conventional senses. In the final project the response to the brief combines programs below to empower women through maximising their public exposure. Program(s) 1. Backpack designed to bring immediate access to the “Outernet”. Mira Rai acts as the conduit that bring “lighthouse” hubs/ dishes/ equipment to remote regions to which she runs. She returns to Kathmandu with handicraft that can be sold online worldwide, and to tourists in Kathmandu. 2. Portable Podium for Mira’s new “Women’s Running Club”? Act as a series of signposts/ advertisements/ vending machines (sanitary supplies) that highlight dates/ times of run meets, routes, records etc. Used for pop-up meetings etc. Advertisements for handicrafts and VR screens? 3. Relay Stations in remote areas of Nepal. By latching onto and building upon the Tea Trail infrastructure in the trekking routes, relay stations that bring the INTERNET further into remote non-covered areas. By designing initially for Western Women Trekkers, a greater cultural mix exchange occurs, shifting perceptions of women's roles within society. 4. The above converge and develop to form the more permanent basis of the next stage; a school that replaces the damaged Durbar High School in Kathmandu. It promotes a 3D learning environment, maximising and integrating the use of technology in teaching. It promotes a making element within the school, and partners with local businesses and communities to fund and, promote and execute crafting masterclasses. PRIMARY USERS: 1. 2. 3.
Mira Rai Local women in remote regions & Women Trekkers (predominantly non-local). School Children, Teachers, Builders, and locals/ passers-by near site in Kathmandu
PROPOSED FINANCING: 1. Backpack sponsored by various companies supplying their products. 2. Podiums initially paid for via crowdfunding, and maintained by selling of items, (they also act as vending machines). 3. Relay Tea Stations funded by internet.org. Nepalese gov. Maintained by women running tea houses in trekking season. 4. School funded by local government, NGO’s and UN. Local businesses pay rent for lower section and income funds masterclasses for women and men in the region. SITE: Previous site of the first secondary school in Kathmandu destroyed in Earthquake, Durbar High School. Located in central Kathmandu, near Durbar Sq, the heritage centre of Kathmandu. Durbar High School which translates to Palace High School, opened in 1892 is the oldest modern school in Nepal. Located in Ranipokhari, Kathmandu, it originally taught only members of the ruling family, but was opened to private citizens in 1902. Wikipedia DESIGN HYPOTHESIS: For me, the designer: To act as a “foreign” architect in a non-patronising or orientalising manner. To highlight and build upon local techniques, developing a vernacular that is unique and specific for the site and culture, but developing and protecting the heritage further. I propose that by bringing the activities of women in Nepalese society to the fore, then they will become safer (most harmed in earthquake were women and children) and more evident within society. This in turn will have the effect of normalising women’s roles within the community, empowering them to become whatever it is that they desire. The architecture of this project seeks to empower those that use it or reside nearby.
“A chance is like a leaf on a river, you have to grab it quick, or it’s gone forever.”
Mira Rai
Jack Sargent Unit 22
Carlos Jimenez Izaskun Chinchilla Final Portfolio review, 23/05/16
PRIMARY USERS:
BRIEF: To empower the Women of Nepal, by improving educational access to all citizens, men and women. I argue that the most effective way in which to engender change (excuse the pun) is NOT to tackle solely women-only issues, but to implement changes across larger demographics, which would have a wider, more sustainable impact. One aspect of this that affects Nepalese society currently is the lack of a wider communication infrastructure, which inhibits education in both traditional academic and social/cultural senses, mainly in more remote rural areas. As Nepal becomes more urban, this lack of access to educational material impacts across the country and disproportionately women. Via a series of interventions that work independently and alongside one another, I propose a timeline of works that develop small interventions tapping into broadcast networks through to ground-up communication and internet systems, although not in the conventiona senses n the na ro ect the res onse to the brie co bines programs below to empower women through maximising their public exposure.
1. Mira Rai 2. Local women in remote regions & Women Trekkers (predominantly non-local). choo hi ren, eachers, ui ers, and locals/ passers-by near site in Kathmandu
Proposed Financing: 1. Backpack sponsored by various companies supplying their products. 2. Podiums initially paid for via crowdfunding, and maintained by selling of items, (they also act as vending machines). 3. Relay Tea Stations funded by internet.org. Nepalese gov. Maintained by women running tea houses in trekking season. choo un e by oca govern ent, ’s an Local businesses pay rent for lower section and income funds masterclasses for women and men in the region.
SITE: revious site o the rst secon ary schoo in ath an u destroyed in Earthquake, Durbar High School. Located in central Kathmandu, near Durbar Sq, the heritage centre of Kathmandu.
Program(s) 1. Backpack designed to bring immediate access to the “Outernet”. Mira Rai acts as the conduit that bring “lighthouse” hubs/ dishes/ equipment to remote regions to which she runs. She returns to Kathmandu with handicraft that can be sold online worldwide, and to tourists in Kathmandu. ortab e o iu or ira’s ne o en’s unning ub ct as a series o sign osts a vertisements/ vending machines (sanitary supplies) that highlight dates/ times of run meets, routes, records etc. Used for pop-up meetings etc. Advertisements for handicrafts and VR screens 3. Relay Stations in remote areas of Nepal. By latching onto and building upon the Tea Trail infrastructure in the trekking routes, relay stations that bring the INTERNET further into remote non-covered areas. By designing initially for Western Women Trekkers, a greater cultural mix exchange occurs, shifting perceptions o o en’s ro es ithin society 4. The above converge and develop to form the more permanent basis of the next stage; a school that replaces the damaged Durbar High School in Kathmandu. It promotes a 3D learning environment, maximising and integrating the use of technology in teaching. It promotes a making element within the school, and partners with local businesses and communities to fund and, promote and execute crafting masterclasses.
Durbar High School which translates to Palace High School, opened in 1892 is the oldest modern school in Nepal. Located in Ranipokhari, Kathmandu, it originally taught only members of the ruling family, but was opened to private citizens in 1902. Wikipedia
DESIGN HYPOTHESIS: For me, the designer: To act as a “foreign” architect in a non-patronising or orientalising manner. To highlight and build upon local techniques, developing a vernacular that is unique an s eci c or the site and culture, but developing and protecting the heritage further. I intend to investigate how to empower the Women who use these spaces, through the Architecture not the ust the rogra he o en will be designed around as users and designers of the spaces.
hosen o an
Mira Rai
Then she discovered ultra-running. Her rst race a k event in the athmandu Valley - was in March 2014. True to form, Rai turned up hungry, wearing trainers that cost $4 (£2.60). Japanese runner Miki Apreti recalls a “smiley, woefully under-equipped gir , ike an e running in the ung e Halfway round, on the point of collapse, Rai borrowed 50 rupees (50 cents, 30p) to buy noodles and a carton of orange uice n then on the race Event organiser Richard Bull knew instantly he had found a prodigy. “I asked her what she needed to continue training, he says he ust ante money for food.”
Born in a remote Runs away from parents Nepalese village to two to oin aoist gueri a landless laborers. She is ghters either or , she isn’t quite sure.
Nepal civil war ends. Monarchy abolished Mira not allowed to oin regu ar ar y
uns in her rst ever 50km trail race, and wins it.
20 15
20 14
08 20
20
06
14 ed Ag
19 9
0/ 2
Eighteen months ago, Rai was just another young Nepalese from a desperate village who grew up never sure of two, let alone three meals in a day. Now the former Maoist child soldier is winning international races in one of the world’s toughest sports – races of 50km-100km over mountains – and may be on her way to global stardom. Rai faces her greatest challenge yet: inspiring the women of Nepal to fight back against the deep conservatism in the country and “follow their destiny” as she puts it.
Travels widely and wins multiple international competitions.
ira’s ocation Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Nepal has a shocking record on gender equality. The World Economic Forum puts the Himalayan republic 121st out of 136 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index.
’s
’s
’s
19 96 -2
Start of pro-democracy movement
Democratic experiment
Partyless system
e a ese ivi ar ore than 12,000 deaths King suceeds power. Monarchy abolished in 2008
19 24 Slavery abolished However, Rana rule was marked by tyranny, debauchery, economic exploitation and religious persecution.
th Period of monarchical instability
Anglo-Nepalese War
Kingdom of Nepal formed, merging several domains into one.
18 15
’s
00 6
’s
Women here are considered “paraya dhan so eone e se’s ro erty io ence against o en is ri e, an e a ’s ong a aite ne constitution enies un arrie e a es the right to ass on their citi enshi to their chi ren t akes the act that e a ’s ne internationa s orting hero ears a skirt even ore e traor inary
Earthquake
On the 25th April 2015 a 7.8 Magnitude earthquake occurred in the Kathmandu Valley. Krishna Gyawali, chief district officer of Sindhupalchok, sums up the damage with a handful of numbers: 4,242 people killed across the district, 4,000 injured, 44 still missing and 95% of homes destroyed.
8
7
Huge earthquake, completeley raising Kathmandu and several other cities. 10,000 die
178 Die
722 die
6 Killed
40,000 homes lost
12,000 injured
13,000 homeless
460,000 homeless
15 20
11 20
88 19
80 19
19
34
6
More than 9,000 thought dead. 2.8 Million Displaced
e a ese o en’s cu tura , o itica and economic context
Today Rai is fighting a new battle – inspiring women of Nepal to fight back against the deep conservatism in the country by running in races all over the world. “There has been some progress, but not enough,” Rai told The Guardian. “I want women and girls in remote villages like mine to have opportunities. We need to change attitudes. It will not be easy.”
In keeping with its reputation as a surprisingly progressive country for LGBTI rights, Nepal recently granted its first “third gender” passport.
Maoist Army “I was inspired by their message of making a better society here, especially for women, and by the adventure too,” Rai “Other girls were confined to their homes and I thought if I go then the others will follow.” told The Guardian. Agrarian society Agriculture accounts for 34% GDP
Girls in Nepal are told to stay home, fetch the wood, look after the animals and the cooking. The “big things” are for men. Changing mentality is difficult. People have a habit of ignoring the truth—they know that’s not true, but still believe it. My parents were live-and-let-live which gave me opportunities.
Every day more than 54 young girls and women are trafficked out of Nepal.
In Gorkha, most farms are managed by women. An exodus of young men to India, Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries has left many villages short of able-bodied farmhands. Economic migration has surged in recent years, with nearly 500,000 Nepalese leaving the country every year
“The areas affected by the quake have traditionally been high-traffic areas for taking girls to Indian brothels, but they’re also used for internal trafficking,” says Bimal Rawal, a child protection adviser for Save the Children. Child marriage rates are expected to soar in the disaster’s aftermath as parents can no longer afford to raise their daughters and orphaned girls will likely be preyed upon, Reuters reported.
A child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to survive beyond the age o ve ach e tra year o a other’s schooling reduces the probability of infant mortality by 5 to 10 per cent.
How to empower e a ese o en
“Research shows that when you educate a girl, you have a bigger knock-on effect than when you educate a boy, because there’s a generationa i act, says Blair. “A woman who has, at least, a secondary e ucation is ess ike y to arry young he’s more likely to regulate her fertility and have fewer children, to get them vaccinated and to understand an o o ub ic hea th essages he’s a so ore likely to educate her own children, in turn.”
o ar s ent on o en’s is the best o ar you can spend in philanthropy,” Meyer
The current education system in Nepal is one of the youngest in the world. In 1951, Nepal only had 9,000 students in primary school, 1,700 in secondary school and about one hundred in two undergraduate colleges. There was no university, and adult education stood at only 5 percent. From 1971 to 2001, primary school numbers grew from 400,000 to 3.9 million, secondary school increased from 120,000 to 1.5 million and post-secondary level increased from 17,000 to 210,000. Literacy rates improved greatly, from 23 percent in 1981 to 54 percent in 2001.
On top of families not valuing education for girls, girls themselves do not want to attend school because they may not understand the dialect there, there are no toilets for them to use, and as they get older, they feel it is not appropriate for them to use the fields to “tend to their menstrual cycles.” The national enrollment for females between the ages of six and ten is 67 percent, compared to 78 percent for males.
Education
01/ Program(s)
Backpack deployable information kit
02/
ay n er co unication and vending intervention M RC
03/
Relay Tea Station
04/
Durbar Dharmasala School
[Academic use only]
What problems do Nepalese women ace in accessing e ucation
01/ Sanitation The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) notes three ways in which education can benefit adolescent girls in disasters: It can provide PHYSICAL PROTECTION. When a girl is in a safe learning environment, she is less likely to be sexually or economically exploited or exposed to other risks, such as child marriage. It can offer A PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFE SPACE that helps girls make sense of what is happening around them. It can provide a sense of routine and longer-term benefits for the promotion of the right and responsibilities of children. It can be the VEHICLE FOR THE COMMUNICATION OF LIFE-SAVING MESSAGES: schools may act as hubs for communicating messages on hand-washing, reducing the risk of disease, how to avoid HIV infection and how to access healthcare and food in an emergency.
Once a month, Dhuna Devi Saud sleeps in a tiny shack with no windows and very little to protect her from animals roaming the hills outside. She is not the only one from her village in Nepal who finds herself in these uncomfortable conditions. Dhuna lives in an area of the country where many woman practice ‘chaupadi’, a tradition that cuts them off from the rest of society when they are menstruating. In Nepal, Hindu women don’t cook or worship and stay away from their families—their touch is considered impure during menstruation.
Sanitation
Menstruating girls around the world miss up to 20% of their classes if their schools have no toilets, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF says.
Sanitation
What problems do Nepalese women ace in accessing e ucation
o
unication
Many of us think of the Internet as a global community. But two-thirds of the world’s population does not yet have Internet access. One aspect of this that affects Nepalese society currently is the lack of a wider communication infrastructure, which inhibits education in both traditional academic and social/ cultural senses, mainly in more remote rural areas. As Nepal becomes more urban, this lack of access to educational material impacts across the country and disproportionately women. Many women and men and children in remote regions of Nepal, such as Mustang (pictured) dont have even basic access to the internet and the Global Village.
Increasingly, technology is being seen as a powerful development tool, used in the global battle to hit child and youth-focused targets in global education, livelihoods and health. “[Mobile phones] will, I think, be the single most important factor in increasing literacy on the planet. Why? Every child is massively motivated to learn to text, post and message on mobiles. The evidence shows that they become obsessive readers and writers through mobile devices,” he says. “Texting is a significant form of literacy, introduced by youngsters, on their own, spontaneously, rapidly and without tuition.” Mobile phones are also proving effective tools in engaging and mobilising children and young people to engage in economic, social and political spheres.
Large projects like those in Russia, Turkey and Thailand, where plans to purchase hundreds of thousands, and in some cases millions of low cost tablets, are now underway and, we expect, represent the leading edge of a very large wave of activity in this regard.
Nepal Wireless Networking Project is a not-for-profit making initiative running in the rural areas of Nepal since 2002. It was started to find ways to bridge digital divide between urban and rural areas of Nepal and is inspired by social cause for the socio economic transformation of rural areas of Nepal by optimum use of information and communication technologies.
Sanitation
Sanitation
However, even with this uptake of technology, without access to information, it is redundant.
01/
Backpack deployable information kit Iteration 01
Doko
Namlo
Tokma
Using the structure of the traditional Sherpa packs as a starting point, the backpack was to be women into a hydration basket. Whilst in essence a backpack, it didn’t fulfill its programattic responsibilities a it could have done, so it wsa redesigned with more of a communication and education theme embedded within the design as iteration 02 shows.
01/
Backpack deployable information kit Iteration 02 Proposed site(s) and Program
Site: Kathmandu Valley Program: The backpack intervention is designed to bring immediate access to the “Outernet”. It requires minimal energy and immediate information access for free. Mira Rai acts as the conduit that bring “lighthouse” hubs/ dishes/ equipment to remote regions to which she runs. She returns to Kathmandu with handicraft that can be sold online worldwide, and to tourists in Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley is an example of the the local terrain through which she would run where areas out of the geographic bowl that surround the city struggle to connect to basic data. The equipment Mira supplies with the Outernet would deliver a daily information packet free over the air.
Once a month, Dhuna Devi Saud sleeps in a tiny shack with no windows and very little to protect her from animals roaming the hills outside. She is not the only one from her village in Nepal who finds herself in these uncomfortable conditions. Dhuna lives in an area of the country where many woman practice ‘chaupadi’, a tradition that cuts them off from the rest of society when they are menstruating. In Nepal, Hindu women don’t cook or worship and stay away from their families—their touch is considered impure during menstruation.
Sanitation
Menstruating girls around the world miss up to 20% of their classes if their schools have no toilets, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF says.
Sanitation
01/
Backpack deployable information kit
Iteration 02
+
01/
Backpack deployable information kit Iteration 02
=
1/ Solar Panel Blanket To power Outernet Hub. Thin, foldable and can act as emergency thermal blanket also. Supplied by:
2/Strapping Each element of equipment is strapped to the backpack via these Namlo inspired fabrics.
3/Outernet Receiver (Lighthouse or other) Receiver that converts radiowaves into information, and re broa casts over i Supplied by:
14/iPad/ Tablet Demonstration device for the Outernet capabilities. Also allows Mira to document needs of communities, and create inventory of items to sell.
itchen o an er eta ish that re ects aves onto LNB
13/Tent poles Tent Poles for erection of temporary structures, and ay n ing oints, see next intervention. Multiple dimensions.
11/iPhone/ Smartphone 12/Water-formed Bamboo milled backpack frame
Maps, comms etc Weight: Approx 140g
Formed to Miras back, lightweight frame that elements attach too.
10/Ampy Personal Pwer Genrerator that charges devices via running/ walking. Weight: 140g Supplied by:
9/LuminAid light n atab e, ater roo so ar powered light. 5no. Total Weight: 415g Supplied by:
8/LNB Low Noise Block downconvertor Same as those used on all other satellite TV kits. Widely available.
4/Sanitary supplies Sanitary supplies for local vi agers, su ie by heeky wipes, manufacturers of Bamboo sanitary pads.
are othing ira’s s are c othing in case of weather change.
6/ Drawing tube
7/Satellite dish
Bamboo tube that can carry local papers and handicrafts back to Kathmandu for sale worldwide distribution.
Mira will carry a colander as a working example. eta ish that re ects aves onto LNB
02/
ay n ing ote s
rovi ing ata o unication & Sanitation
By making the most of Mira’s new found status in international sport, and on-screen debut, above, the next intervention is in order to assist Mira in the development of a new Womens running club in Kathmandu.
Portable Wayfinding Totems for Mira’s new “Women’s Running Club” Act as a series of signposts/ advertisements/ vending machines (sanitary supplies) that highlight dates/ times of run meets, routes, records etc. Used for pop-up meetings etc. Advertisements for handicrafts and VR screens? Used in both the rural and urban environments, the totem is backpack mountable, providing access to data in remote locations, as well as much needed sanitary items in the city as well. By combining with the data systems in the city, the runners earn money through a digital currency, the BitWalk Dollar. This allows all those partaking in Mira’s club to earn extra revenues. A kickstarter campaign will provide seed money to manufacture the totems.
Average daily income in Nepal is $1.92 So 5 miles for 1BW$ is would increase daily wage by 52%. Assuming that women on average earn less, this could provide a great additional income.
02/
ay n ing ote s
Designed to be Backpack mountable
Portable Wayfinding Totems for Mira’s new “Women’s Running Club” Act as a series of signposts/ advertisements/ vending machines (for sanitary supplies) that highlight dates/ times of run meets, routes, records etc.
Design Equipment onstruction
First and foremostly for the womens running community, the Totems act as a physical propaganda item for the city, and as a wayfinding and data device elsewhere. Combining with the backpack intervention to allow rapid dissemination of information, and the selling of local handicrafts such as Lokta Papers, cards etc.
[Academic use only]
itchen o an er eta ish that re ects waves onto LNB, allowing conncetion to Outernet.
2/LNB
3/Light
Low Noise Block downconvertor Same as those used on all other satellite TV kits. Widely available.
LED battery powered lamp that i enti es the route
ay n ing ignage ear eon signage or runners
M RC
5/ Sponsor Signage Sponsored by SHE, who are also providing the sanitary pads, made from Banana stock, but developing into ba boo bres
ira’s ignage Advertising/ information for ira’s running c ub
8/iPad/ Tablet
7/Tent poles Tent Poles for erection of temporary structures, and ay n ing oints un e or stability.
Demonstration device for the Outernet capabilities. Digital information available about running club, BitWalk Dollars etc. Local handicrafts are advertised also.
9/Outernet Receiver (Lighthouse or other)
10/Sanitary supplies vending.
Receiver that converts radiowaves into information, and re broa casts over i
Sanitary supplies for local villagers, supplied by SHE, who sponsor the Running ub ote s Free supply
anvas creens an be eighe o n or extra stabilisation. Printed advertisements externally
M RC
02/
ay n ing ote s
Location(s)
As well as conventional wayfinding devices, the Totems act as data download tools in remote locales, connecting to the Outernet Satellite network.
In the city the same devices act as: Wifi Hubs, Outernet advertisments, Running Club info boards, Wayfinding devices, Sanitary product vending machines
The totems are sponsored by SHE, Sustainable Health Enterprises. A company that manufactures sanitary pads from Banana waste products. By advertising the Pads in such a public manner, and linking it to a aspirational running club, it is deemed more acceptable, and the taboo is broken.
03/
The Tea House Relay Station Program: onnecting each village to “the Global Village�
Historic Local Precedent: The Nepalese Tea House Program: By overlaying a communication network onto the existing fabric of the Tea House routes, a relay network can bring Internet further into the remote regions of Nepal. The aim is to build up a network of relay stations that can be intependent, manned, or within a community. By further encouraging tourism, and the accomodation of Women travellers and trekkers, the local women of Nepal will become more empowered also.
Almost all teahouses in Nepal began as family-run ventures, providing food, and of course tea, for the weary traveller. Patrons were traditionally allowed to sleep on the floor for free if they had eaten at the teashop. But now can we ovewrlay a new communication program?
Mountain tourism generates local income and jobs, even at 5000 meters where a Sherpa woman feeds 20 cold trekkers from a dung-fed fire and rents out bunk beds for less than a dollar a night. Besides the direct and indirect income generated by mountain tourism (such as lodge and tea house operations; sale of handicrafts; and employment of guides, construction workers, and farmers), non-financial benefits of tourism include: exposure to outside ideas including technology, language, and perspectives; improved awareness and motivation for proper sanitation and waste treatment; opportunities for foreign-sponsored travel and education; pride in culture and self-confidence that comes with interacting with visitors; and in some cases, an improved socio-economic status of women.
03/
The Tea House Relay Station Developmental Timeline
1/Relay Towers Telecommunications relay to further data into remote regions.
2/ Tea House room Basic infrastructure, to maintain equipment and provide drinks/ basic foods.
ost equi ent is ountab e on ira’s backpack, apart fromt the repeaters.
Tower utilised by farmers to dry crops, corn etc.
3/ Dining room and Toilet facilities added.
3/ Dormitory added with bunks.
4/ Additional Sanitation facilities, separate Male and Female bathrooms.
03/
The Tea House Relay Station onstruction etho o ogy
Vertical aluminium sections: 50mm x 25mm x L 1.22kg/m Estimate total for initial Tea house structure is 91.5kg.
ne sheet o orrugate aluminium from recycled cans on trails is 15kg.
3 Porters, at £6.50/ day is £19.50
Approximately 50 units are needed, so 25 porters. Approx cost is £162.50 per day.
Materials:
Max Weights:
Max Dimensions:
orrugate u iniu heets Aluminium extrusions orn oar oncrete oun ations
Max bundle for each porter is 30kg.
Approximately 650mm x 1200mm
Large raft sections: 150mm x 50mm x L 3.45kg/m Estimated weight is 86kg 3 Porters, at £6.50/ day is £19.50
Robeen Tamang, one of the six porters on our team, weighed 75kg seven years ago. Now he weighs far less than ortering is tough,’ he to e, but nee the oney to he us ake our ar better ’ intervie e more than 20 porters during my short employment alongside them and found that at the end of each 13-day trek to base camp and back they take home about 6,000 rupees (£40). In a country where the average monthly income is about , ru ees re iab e gures are hard to come by), this return for ha a onth’s ork ay not see too bad. But it is not a year-round income, ust a su e ent ro our or ve treks a year. Their other earnings rely on what they can produce in excess of their own food needs on small farms.
A typical Nepalese porter carries a load nearly as heavy as he is. When he does, the porter burns less energy per pound than a backpacker would need to shoulder about half the same weight, Heglund and his colleagues found. On average, the men and women respectively bore 93 percent and 66 percent of their body weight, the researchers report. Porters on tourist treks have their loads limited to 30kg.
Husband and wife porters, Pasang Doma Sherpa and Bim Tamang When a Sherpa family in Khumbu wants to build a new house, much o the structure ro oorboar s to corrugated aluminum roofs—must be carried from the lowlands up the rugge trai s on so ebo y’s back ith the current yen for Western-style amenities, a toilet and a kitchen sink might move up the mountain as well, in a orter’s ba boo basket, so eti es followed by yet another porter lugging a rooftop solar heating tank that will provide the latest fashionable Sherpa luxury: running hot water.
04/
The Durbar Dharmasala School Proposed Site: Central Kathmandu
Site: The Durbar Dharmasala School
Program: Rebuilding the school neighbourhood through resilient design and empowering women
Durbar Dharmasala School Program: I propose a school program that replaces the wrecked Durbar High School in Kathmandu. It promotes a 3D learning environment that maximises and integrates the use of technology in teaching through non-linear learning methods. Empowering women through active encouragement of partipartory events in public In addition to the above, the project integrates the themes of the previous interventions; notably communication systems and provision/ promotion of sanitary items within education. The use of devices such as those shown throughout this portfolio throughout the school is encouraged.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, Nelson Mandela One of the most widely cited definition comes from Deterding et al. who state that “‘gamification’ is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts” (2012, 10).
Damage to school before further aftershocks.
The Newar House
Context: The Newari Vernacular.
The Basic unit of Newari architecture is the house (similar in both rural and urban settings). Defined by a walled rectangle of three floors and a steeply pitched tiled roof, wooden structure and masonry infill. Variations in height, length and facade treatment counteract the potential monotony of the terraced housing model.
Truss/ Tier 02
Tier 01
External Arcade
Masonry Plinth
Public realm that connects each neighbourhood square act as both circulation space for people, animal, cars, bikes etc but also as market places, shops and impromptu sports venues.
The rich material palette of Kathmandu is evidenced in its warm, rich, deep ochre red colours. The masonry element of the Newar architecture seeps into the street where the public realm is finished in deep red brick. Kathmandu - “the city of wood� as a backdrop has deep dark hard woods throughout, known as Sal.
Steeped Roof
Context: The Dharmasala
Dharmasala: A Sanskrit name which means “house of charity�, They can act as public overnight accommodation or inns for travellers or a residences for work or rest or gatherings. This spatial and progrmamatic typology is to be integrated into my design, but with a contemporary reinterpretation.
Dharmasala are typically opensided structures that mix the usual Newar material palette of the hard wood, Sal, and deep red masonry.
Arcade-like structures and spaces line squares and act as smaller interations of the Dharmasala theme. People use them in multiple ways, as sheltered walkways, as meeting places and as market places.
Intricate carvings are omnipresent across the Sal wood, which requires no treatment for extenal environments. Delicate brass and bronze statues adorn hidden niches.
Context: The Choh
Kathmandu is formed of a series of organically grown, heterogenous squares,known as Chohs.
These are formed by the grouping of several houses around a central sunken courtyard, which forms a recurrent motif in the merchant’s houses, palaces and monasteries throughout the Kathmandu Valley. Seen here is Durbar Square, before the earthquake. Note the steeply pitched roofs, wooden trusses and warm red masonry.
Deep step wells are a variation of the Choh. Hundreds of years old, these form a communal centre for each neighbourhood. They host one of the rare acts in which women take part in the public realm. Modern amenities and architecture encourages the “Western” style of atomic families and non-communal communities. Places such as these should be celebrateed and reinterpreted for the modern Kathmandu.
Choh’s vary in scale, but in essence act in the same way consistently. These constants are: Materiality (Masonry, hardwoods). Function (multiple; public, private, circulation, retail, sports, community, festivals).
Public space in always infiltrated by retail opportunities. Temples become shop fronts, pavements changing rooms and streets storage opportunities. The space is utilised to the maximum.
Context: Chhath Festival
An annual festival that occurs on the edges of Ranipokhari (Queen’s pon, the memorial lake adjacent to the site. The scheme needs to facilitate and accommodate the needs of the festival-goers. Queen’s pond, also known as Nhu Pukhu,meaning new pond, is a historic artificial pond located in the heart of Kathmandu.[1] The square-shaped tank dates from the 17th century, and was built on the eastern side of the then city limits. It lies just outside a former city gate. The pond is one of Kathmandu’s most famous landmarks, and is known for its religious and aesthetic significance. Its dimensions are 180m by 140m. The world’s largest Chhath festival takes place every year in RaniPokhari. Rani is also dedicated to (Nepalese Maithil) Women who goes into the cold water and pray to the sun god.
Concept 01: Reinterpretation of Newari Architecture.
Q/
How to take the qualities of the local vernacular and reinterpret without an orientalist attitude?
?
Concept 02: oating vi age or Kathmandu
Q/
How to solve the Earthquake Problem?
oating vi age or Kathmandu y acing the schoo on a oating structure, the Earthquakes become irrelevant to the scheme.
Key theme: Commerce & Street Life. ctivating the ub ic realm
Ho Chi Minh Field Trip
Kathmandu Street Life
n our unit e tri to o hi Minh we partnered with a local school of Architecture.
Kathmandu has a culture that revo ves aroun , or through the street (and square).
t as eye o ening to see ho industrious the students were at generating a itiona revenue ith their skill sets.
The qualities of the shops and stalls that temporarily inhabit the public s aces uring the ay are to be encourage in the esign
hey ere aking hrist as car s or ourists, using their o e aking kno e ge an generating a signi cant inco e
The proposal needs to act as a device that encourages the a o tion o the street through urniture an its layout.
However, the school didnt supply ighting or o er a ter hours, which didnt stop them. This entrepreneurial spirit is something that nee s to be integrate into the e agogy o the schoo and celebrated.
assing
reaking o n the barrier between the lake and local neighbourhoo
hysica conte t iagra s
1. Previous condition (Pre April 2015) 1
1.
2.
3.
2
2. Current condition (Post April 2015)
3. Proposed condition
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Atomised medium density conte tua bui ing ty o ogies in a oca neighbourhoo to est o site, typical of Kathmandu. revious bui ing o its co onia conte t, an aggressive y ascu ine, or a ty o ogy, una o ogetic aboout it’s assing and relationship to context. e igious shrine in e oria ake, b ocke ro neighbourhood by colonial school.
1.
On 25th April 2015 Earthquake estroye the schoo , eaving an unsa e structure he re aining rubble is to be re-used to form the foundations of the new proposal.
1. 2.
The new proposal consists of a new memorial lake. t’s assing re connects the neighbourhoo to the e isting ake, through its sca e an articulation.
Initial Concept
reaking o n the barrier between the lake and local neighbourhoo
01/
02/ 01/
assing broken o n in or er to act as continuation o neighbourhoo
02/
Lower Arcade level conceived as a continuation of the street.
03/
Mezzanine level indicative of private uppper stories of the newari houses. In this case the school is located here.
04/ 03/
04/
Completed development acts as continuation of neighbourhoo , an can be rea as a conte orary take on the local vernacular.
Memorial Lake The idea of forming a memorial lake on the previous site of the school is used as a physical memory device. The concept calls for the previous materials to be re-used in a way that subtly references what came before. A site of memory
oating choo ro osa
ising above the cha enges throughout
The Lake is to be used as a filtering device and aquifer for Ranipokhari, the existing lake. It can be used to control and to manage the water level and maintain cleanliness.
einter reting Newar materiality
Masonry The reddish ochre colour of Kathmandu is to be retained within the project, but as a supplement to a palette as opposed to the ain backgroun ricks an rubb e ro the a age site i be re use in gabion retaining a s, an s a er rag ents i be use or era o s abs his is a reincarnation o the origina , a e ory of the previous and a reinterpretation of the vernacular.
a oo Kathmandu, the wooden city. The scheme has to be made from wood if it is to be considered an attempt at a modern vernacular. The primary structural timber is a reincarnation of Sal wood into g u a , being a ore e cient etho o construction, but antaining its aesthetic qua ities Bamboo offcuts from construction are used for privacy screens and ventilation covers. is use as oor boar s, roo s an traditional softwood planks.
a sur aces in ace o
B
Materiality Map
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ourcing ith oca ity in in e iate oca ity urbar igh choo an • •
ani okhari area
Recycled items from Earthquake debris and local shops. Handmade items from the community. Rubble from local site, waste from Earthquake collected by volunteers, teachers and students an sorte se or gabion oun ation construction, an terra o nishes
11
8
12
B. Kathmandu and Valley (less than 50km) • • • • •
Locally sourced products and services. ecyc e ountaineering ro ucts ro ha e area o ath an u ource , onate an recycled on site. a boo, gro n throughout the a ey ource an cut in ath an u u a an rocessing occurs in ath an u in ustria area orrugate astic anu acture in ath an u
C. Nationwide (& international, where needed) • • • • •
ro ucts ro urther a e , e a , n ia an nternationa Concrete for AAC sourced in India. Rubber junctions for pontoon struture sourced in India Brick/ clay supply Stainless steel, manufactured and fabricated out of country.
6 7
DR Document Submission 25/04/16 Attached is a full copy of the DR report, investigating the issues o creating a oating schoo he o o ing ages critique the esign as it as at the stage an escribe ho it has change since
Iteration 04 (DR)
ign ent
ntegration o the ake an oca neighbourhoo is an assing stu ies
igning ith the uns osition as a memorial element. All paths across the ake an the orientation o the oating units is determined in principle by the postion of the Sun.
Issue:
Massing and Alignment @DR Stage
on’s Too large and repetitive. Beauty of Newar architecture is in its subt e recon guration i erences in ass an orientation need to be exaccerbated. ro’s Strong road-front prescence. Good rythm throughout elevation.
Solution:
Massing and Alignment of proposed scheme
Amendments made: reak o n in assing an ensi cation o ro osa ro arge units to s a er ones his a o s or a recon guration o the ro osa a ong the sa e ang e gri ines Multiple unit depths (as opposed to one at DR stage) allows for a subtle multiplicity in variation. This increase in number allows for a more nuanced public space to be created in the negative s aces bet een the units our key hoh’s squares are create in the rocess - in which the public can occupy in several manners. Key street furniture is positioned throughout in order for the public space to be successfully integrated with the neighbourhood.
on’s Too large and repetitive. Beauty of Newar architecture is in its subt e recon guration i erences in ass an orientation need to be exaccerbated. ro’s Strong road-front prescence. Good rythm throughout elevation.
Issue:
Uniformity @ DR Stage
Solution: Massing amended to create more variety in sizes of modules. Same structural principles as previous design, however manipulation of massing and orientation allows for a more heterogenous outcome, more in keeping with Newari principles.
Solution: Breaking down the barrier between the lake and local neighbourhood.
on’s No connection from the scheme to the lake. Issue not at a being a resse oa acce te not questionne Concept of connecting neighbourbood back with lake not addressed at all.
Issue: Relationship to Ranipokhari Lake
03
02
Solution:
2. 3.
Bridging over road to connect the school to the lake-front. Controlled access. Circulation via lift, stairs and climbing wall. Chhath festival accommodated by supplying tempororary toilets and changing areas. e orary ontoon oating in the ake to enab e swimming and diving activities.
Solution: Inserting Bridge structures and activating the shore line through temporary insertions.
Facade Typologies: Type A Type A: Twin wall polycarbonate panels with terracotta cladding. Manufactured in conjuction with the neighbourhood craft hub in association ith the schoo ’s art an esign c asses erracotta ti es ro the c ay removed in making the tanking forms the tiles. These are applied cyclically. When students arrive they each make a batch which hang over the school. This goves a sense of ownership and achievement within and of the school for the pupils.
2. 3. 4.
7.
9.
Panelised 20mm Polycarbonate Curtain wall system. Standardised si es to a i ise e ciency a e either on site or o site widths. threa e no es are ocate across the ane s, enab ing either terracotta tiles or climbing holds to be mounted on the facades. Climbing holds are made on site by pupils as part of D&T clases. usto , unique ti es are a e on site ro either recyc e ateria s or in c ass a ro Simple peg and hook system to hold the tiles loosely. Movement of the buidling due to live loads are represented in movement of tiles. u a stu syste Stud system supported horizontally by Glulam beams and mounted on y ee oor Where insulation is not needed, only a single Polycarbonate skin is used, as a weight-saving measure. Where insulation is used, recycled insulation from mountaineering equi t ent is acke in the voi bet een the o ycarbonate layers.
7 2 3
9
4
Facade Typologies: Type B
Facade typology references Field trip project, Ho Chi Minh City Architecture School. uring our e tri e a e an e terna aa e system that the bamboo system in this proect is based loosely upon. The system deployed in Ho Chi Minh City was based upon creating a green wall, that controlled light levels and acted as a sound buffer. It utilised waste materials from dried up vegetation and corn husks, which were recycled into sectional pieces. These pieces were attached to a string grid system that became dense enough to obscure views and light. The section husks were also good biomatter that could be used to grow a green wall. The sectional aspect of the husks, instead replaced with the bamboo used in constructing the scheme combine to form the new system. It is used in the proposal in areas where light levels and privacy are to be controlled, such as the wet rooms and WC areas.
Bamboo House, Costa Rica
Type B: Bamboo Facade Elements.
2.
3.
4.
7. 9.
Bamboo offcuts re-used from pontoon fabrication process to create privacy screen. Various widths. ee section ba boo use without polycarbonate backing, for ventilation purposes. Hung from 3mm stainless steel wires. Shallow section bamboo used for privacy screen in front of polycarbonate backing. Hung from eyelets embedded in polycarbonate. o ycarbonate screen widths. Mounted between CLT walls. Bamboo shower head. Recycled from pontoon fabrication process. u a bea a boo lights mounted from underside. y arine gra e thick a u a bea Right angled steel bracket securing bea to un ersi e o oor ate above. Hot water supply y thick arine gra e Vegetation encouraged to grow in shower areas. thick era o ayer in et areas Drains directlu off edge of buildiing. Terrazzo vanity stand. thick erara o ayer, oure in situ, drains directly off building into lake.
Bamboo privacy screen in elevation
9
7
Bamboo privacy screen
Bamboo privacy screen in shower areas.
Construction methodology
Recycled Canopies
2.
Glulam Frame
Recycled sheet material from ountaineering equi e ent, tents coats etc. Sewn together and tied to cables on site. Stainless steel tensioned cables mounted to Glulam structure.
2. 3. 4.
ra e in Glulam column.
u a ea u a ea Stainless steel triangulated brackets bolted to frames with coach bo ts
Glulam Joint Detail
2.
3. 4.
ua canted column. Stainless Steel 20mm triangulated webb bracket junction. o te to u a an oor ith coach bo ts sectiona glulam beam. Slotted through and pinned to column. Services are routed along column. Cables are pinned to column with jubilee clips.
Pontoon structure - Washrooms
2. 3. 4.
7.
ut ba boo sections deep to enable ventilation and control views/ privacy. ut ba boo sections deep to control views/ privacy. Polycarbonate and CLT partitions. oor throughout ry areas. ast erra o in et areas Bamboo Lamp shades. Power cables routed along Glulam beams. Twin walled CLT facade. Triangular sliding door for access to changing rooms.
Facade
2.
3. 4.
7.
9.
Panelised Polycarbonate Curtain wall system. Standardised sizes to maximise e ciency a e either on site or o site Threaded nodes are located across the panels, enabling either terracotta tiles or climbing holds to be mounted on the facades. Climbing holds are made on site by pupils as part of D&T clases. usto , unique ti es are a e on site from either recycled materials or in class. Simple peg and hook system to hold the tiles loosely. Movement of the buidling due to live loads are represented in movement of tiles. Glulam stud system. Stud system supported horizontally by u a bea s an ounte on ee oor Where insulation is not needed, only a single Polycarbonate skin is used, as a weight-saving measure. Where insulation is used, recycled insulation ro ountaineering equi t ent is acke in the voi bet een the polycarbonate layers. Temporary monsoon blinds made from recycled mountaineering sheet material, such as coats/ tents etc.
Aerated concrete pontoons a boo or
2. 3.
ork is erecte
02. Insertion of Rebar
Locally sourced Bamboo is used to create formwork for pontoons. Propping is also created using bamboo. he ontoon is ivi e into sections o engths to ai trans ortation
thick rebar, so e source from damaged site, is laid out in a gri su er gri syste throughout the formwork. This ensures the structural integrity of the concrete.
2
04. Delivery
03. Pontoons are cast. Terrazzo layer applied.
Fine diameter aggregate is used for Aerated Autoclaved Concrete cast elements.
Each pontoon section is delivered individually sue to their si e 2.
Structural mounting points are embedded in the castings.
2
2
2.
arger ia eter is use or the erra o his is a ie in a 20mm layer to the cured and autoclaved AAC. The ribbed nature of the bamboo formwork helps the terrazzo bond to the AAC, forming a waterproof layer. Additional formwork is neccessary.
o e oint etai
abrication o ontoon units ro seg ents
2.
3.
Segments are laid out in position. un er co ression rubber gasket is installed between each segment face. This ensures a good surface bond and water-tightness. Segments are bolted together with bo ts in a o e syste The mounting points are the same as the ones used for craning into position.
2.
un er compression) rubber gasket is installed between each segment face. This ensures a good surface bond and water-tightness.
2
3
2
07. Slipway Bamboo poles underneath the pontoon assembly surface allow the pontoon to be slipped into water. The poles can be reused in part of the facade afterwards.
nsu ation, services tout
2. 3.
nce oating, the ontoon is checke or ater tightness, and seled with a further protective layer. Services are routed through the underside. Electricity is wired up to the mains/ generator to aci itate tout o each oating unit y ee is ounte on to o pontoon. This ensures structural rigidity.
3
2
Segments are bolted together ith bo ts in a o e system. The mounting points are the same as the ones used for craning into position. These are then placed under tension by tightening the bolts.
Servicing strategy
Cables and servicing follow A-Frame direction
2. 3. 4.
7.
ectrica un er oor heating e ue in s eci c oor ates ontro e in ivi ua y Panelised 20mm Polycarbonate twin wall system. Terracotta Tiles to the South facade in order to act as shade devices. Stack ventilation employed in the long section to maximise ventilation. Cross ventilation utilised in the short section in order to maximise ventilation. Water reservoir maintains a constant thermal mass, ensuring a stable temperature througout the year. A centralised CHP plant located to Northern perimeter of site. This serves hot water and o er to each oating unit assive venti ation an air o aintaine via si e screens he a boo screens in the et areas a i ise air o an aintain ivacy
Every unit has Hot & Cold water, Electricity, Foul waste removal and Grey waste removal. These all transfer to the mains grids and scheme sub-grids via a waterproof, e ib e sub erge service route
ater su y ro either the sche e’s uri cation ant or via the mains (although this is temperamental in Kathmandu). The schemes sanitation programme is important to the project, and thus needs to work independently from the mains grid. ater services are route throughout the oating units, ho ever, the majority of the water services are in the pontoon or groun oor eve in or er to kee the centre o gravity as low as possible for stability purposes.
Sanitation Provisions. In order to facilitate the agenda of keeping girls in education through the provision of sanitation, as looked at in the rst ter s ro ect, there are three types of sanitation areas in the scheme. Segregated gender public facilities, mixed gender public facilities, and mixed gender school facilities. As one rises through the section of the scheme, the facilities become less segregated. By using inclusive, mixed gender facilities in the school, children become more aware of the opposite sex at a younger age. By engaging in these environ ents o equa ity an inclusion at a young age, the pre-concieve gen er ro es are questione , and broken.
School Mezzanine Level - mixed gen er, a inc usive su er oo’s Facilitates an understading and respect between the genders.
The act of going to the toilet is one everyone shares, but e critique By engaging in this discussion, the scheme allows women, girls, boys and men to use facilities in a more inclusive environment. This appreciation, and openess will diffuse through the society of those that engage with it.
Upper Ground Level Public, but controlled all inclusive mixed gender restrooms in the sports facilities.
Mens
Ground Level Public, non-controlled segregated gender facilities. By providing this free facility, a public facility is provided, but segregation has to occur for security reasons, unless controlled entry is established. Shops and signage in both gendered facilities disperse knowledge of the other sex for the greater understanding of all
Communication Systems. The school takes and builds upon the communication systems that the rst ro ects ook into he ay n ing tote s that act as i aeria s are e oye aroun the e anine structure o the school, and throughout the streetscape below. ira’s back acks are avai ab e in the s orts c ub, or those that run ong istance he tech avai ab e in the equi ent is taught in masterclasses held throughout the school and neighbourhood.
M RC
Backpacks available in sports club
Antennae mounted at top of columns supporting the mezzanine decking that the school circulation space is formed of.
ay n ing evices throughout sche e
[Academic use only]
he hoh’s quares roun
an
iagra
roun
an era o iagra
he assing arrange ent o the sche e generates a series o squares si i ar in or to the tra itiona e ari hoh hese are or e o rectangu ar areas, surroun e on a si es by bui ings in a ength i th ratio o his arrange ent reconnects the e isting, artia y a age neighbourhoo to the ake in a anner re iniscent o the vernacu ar but evo ve
oure era o anks or the groun ane o the squares hese hark back to both the heavi y atterne an constructe e ari squares as e as being a e o ateria source ro the rubb e ro the revious a age site
ircu ar tera o ste ing stones an ater courses a out the e ge o the or er schoo , creating a subt e e ory o the revious
choo e anine eve
he circu ation o the schoo is base u on the conce t o an aeria street, connecting the in ivi ua c asses or bui ings t is the heart o the schoo , o en to the e e ents, hich i icks the ub ic one be o s art o the e agogy o earning, c asses are taught to artic ate co aborative y he street s ace a o s u i s to e ercise the co aborative action in a contro e , sa e environ ent that is un an engaging
ono etric vie o schoo ’s sus en e e anine eve eria s are ounte u on to s o asts
an vie o e anine strucutiure entra areas, aeria hoh’s are nette to rovi e visua ink to street be o
Sectional Arrangement The scheme is divided in two, horizontally in section. This line is a delineation between the controlled school environment above, and the new neighbourhod street below. Referencing the Newar style houses which become more public as one rises through them. Whilst read as a whole in elevation from the main road and neighbourhood, from within the scheme there is a clear dileneation between the school space above and the street spaces below. The Mezzanine structure that forms the schools external “street� is hung from columns in the ground. Under an earthquake these will sway, but not break.
Open-air deck for kids to hang out in semi-covered/ protected space.
School Public Street
Entrance
School Public Street
Slides, climbing walls, and nets form a variety of vertical circulation methods.
School Pupils made Teracotta tiles for facade.
Polycarbonate screen at base of shop.
Corner shop
Cafe with sash windows
Science classes Art and Design classes
Polycarbonate sash panels.
Craft Hub
Netted ground plane at mezzanine above public square.
Main Choh, (public square) with washing facilities, drying facilities and market place.
Music classes/ spaces
Open-air roof terrace WC facilities - Mixed
Bamboo privacy screeens
WC facilities - Segregated
Dharmasala (hostel/ shelter)
Emergency distribution.
e
urbar treet roun iagra
an
Durbar Dharmasala School Mezzanine Street Plan Diagram 1:400 @A3+
Oblique Axonometric Diagram 01 NTS
Oblique Axonometric Diagram 02 NTS
Oblique Axonometric Diagram Ground Plan NTS
Oblique Axonometric Overview Diagram NTS
Oblique Axonometric Detail 01 NTS
Oblique Axonometric Detail 02 NTS
Oblique Axonometric Detail 03 NTS
Oblique Axonometric Detail 04 NTS