S i t e
A n a l y s i s
Site Location When deciding on a site I need to understand exactly what I want to address with this project. The main social issues it can help with is child malnutrition (primarily wasting/acute malnutrition and stunting), homelessness and lack of educational facilities.
Today, Mali is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. Nearly 44% of the 18 million residents of the country live below the poverty line and 90% of the total population resides in the southern half of the country, where the capital of Bamako lies. (Dr. Samba Sow, 2017) (features.healthdata.org/dr-samba-sow) However there are many other potential benefits from this project. It could provide many new jobs and potentially grow the economy in the area. Bi-products such animal feed will help local farmers and the nitrogen locking qualities of the peanut will improve the quality and yield of crops other times of the year, which can be sold, this cycle will hopefully encourage new entrepreneurs and thus more jobs and more food for the locals. I envisage this project being able produce therapeutic food and animal feed but also by mixing the waste shells with a bio-polymer for the production of a composite building material to help improve local dwellings or even help create houses for the homeless and education facilities. This means the location I have decided to choose has the suitable conditions to grow peanuts but also suffers from a poor housing situation and child malnutrition.
Child Malnutrition Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (sedac)
N
Site Analysis A
Cenou Kabala - University (4km South)
B
Closest School - Complex School Samba Ramata De Tiebani (2km North of site)
C
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (3.5km West across River Niger)
D
Sports track (0.5km North of site)
Site Data Analysis C
D
B
Diffused Radiation
Total Radiation
A
N Psychometric Chart
Wind Rose
Wind Profile
Daylight Simulation
Radiation Analysis
Malnutrition
Housing
Education and Care
Tens of thousands of children in Mali are prey
More than 80% of the population lack adequate
Nearly one in five children die before
to life-threatening malnutrition as violence and
housing (UNDP, 2012). It is estimated that there
celebrating their fifth birthday. Children who
displacement fuel a deepening nutrition crisis
are around 200,000 children constantly living in
survive face serious obstacles at each stage
in the West African nation, the United Nations
difficult housing circumstances.
of their lives and, for most of them, their basic rights are not respected.
children’s agency. In Bamako, the census on homeless children About 165,000 children are expected to suffer
revealed 4,348 homeless children, but unofficial
Many Malians do not even have access
from severe acute malnutrition across Mali next
estimates put the number much higher, up to
to basic social services, such as adequate
year - up from an estimated total of 142,000
6,000 (FAFO, 2005).
health care and safe water. Health workers and qualified teachers are desperately short
during this year - according to UNICEF. Those who suffer from the severe form of acute malnutrition
Internal conflict and international intervention in
of supplies. In addition, the vast majority of
see their muscles waste away, have very low
Mali in 2012 left around 260,000 Malians homeless
the adult population cannot read or write, a
weight for their height, and are nine times more
(Bloomberg, 2012). (homeIessworldcup.org/
situation which helps to maintain the cycle of
likely to die in case of disease - such as diarrhoea
homeIessness-statistics/)
poverty. (UNICEF, 2017)
The country depends heavily on foreign aid and
Health
or malaria - due to a weakened immune system. At least a tenth of children across Mali are
is vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices of
suffering from global acute malnutrition,
cotton, its main export, and gold. Despite efforts
according to new government data. Violence in
to reduce poverty, Mali is still one of the poorest
northern Mali has uprooted tens of thousands of
countries in the world.
people, disrupted health services and hindered access to water and sanitation, leaving even
Half of its population lives below the poverty line
more children at risk.
of one US dollar per day. For children, survival is a
(UNICEF, 2017)
struggle. (UNICEF, 2017)
Rainfall
Sunlight
Heat C’ Wind Speed (m/s)
Site Research
Religion
Local Industry
Economy
“In Mali, there are Christian minorities and
- 80% of Malians work in agriculture
Farming is the countries main activity. In a nomadic lifestyle farmers raise sheep, cattle and
those who follow traditional African beliefs. However, over 90% of people are Muslim”
- Majority subsistence farming - growing crops and
goats In drier Northern Mali. Subsistence farming
raising livestock sufficient for themselves
occurs in the wetter South and some crops such as peanuts and maize are grown for income.
Cottage Industry (Handicrafts) for domestic market; - Wood Carving
- Mali’s main export is Cotton and Gold
- Pottery - Baskets and textiles
- $200 million export per year in cotton due to the fertile areas along the River Niger cotton is in
Some items are now being exported such as;
abundances
Bogolanfini (which means cloth made using earth
Languages - 66 Living languages - French Official Language - 80% of Malians speak Bamabara - Textbooks are typically in French
or mud) - hand made Malian cotton in demand
- Gold (45,000 tonnes - over 2/3 of exports per
from international buyers. The cloth is dyed using
year) other natural resources include salt, marble
traditional methods with fermented mud
and limestone.
Trade deficit - Debt relief programmes have help Mali’s economy but it is still reliant on foreign aid
Education
- Cotton and peanuts are key exports however the
- Children under 18 years old make up 40%
suffers from a ‘trade deficit’, where it spends more
of Mali’s population
money on buying goods than it earns.
- School is ‘compulsory’ for 7-16 years old.
- Reduce the need for oil import and to
country has to import machinery and petrol thus it
increase supplies of hydro-electric power - However cost of uniform/books/supplies/
5 dams have been built (Markala, Sotuba,
fee make it unaffordable to many families
Selingue, Felou and Manantali)
- Lack of schools in rural areas means very
Income
long commute for some Women frequently work to supplement household - Thus attendance is very poor (quarter of children are not enrolled) - Girls miss out on school in favour of brothers education and to help daily workload - Due to poor attendance less then half of young people (15-24 years old) are literate.
income - including their they daily chores such as collecting wood/water and taking produce to market and family life responsibilities. - Some women earn from making and selling Karite or Shea Butter on local market or exported for international soap/cosmetic industry. Source: www.our-africa.org/mali
Research | Culture
Community
Music/ Festival
Malian life can be difficult so family and
Traditionally songs were performed for kings during
community bonds are extremely important
the Mali Empire and music remains an important aspect of Mali’s culture
- Although women are left with a heavy workload, they are held in regard and are always consulted in community decisions as they represent peace and harmony.
- The Kora and Djembe are some of Mali’s traditional instruments. To showcase Mali’s musical talent the famous Festival in the Desert is held in the Saharan oasis of Essakane
Clothing
Native Plants
Malian women take a great pride in their
1,700+ plant species in Mali . Acacia and baobab
appearance even when they’re working
trees grow in the semi-desert conditions. Indigofera
- Boubou - Traditional robe dress, patterned
bushes (or indigo plants) also thrive in arid regions.
materials and with matching headwear. Jatropha trees - Jatropha is an extremely hardy and
Food Staple food is typically rice, millet, sorghum, maize and fonio, grown by arable farmers. Severed with sauces of fish, meat or vegetables. (Popular fish - Capitaine and Tinani). - Cash crops - mangoes and guavas, wheat and peanuts
grows on wasteland. Seeds contain large quantities of oil that can be processed into; biofuels, animal feed, cosmetics and organic fertiliser. (biooekonomie-bw.de)
Sanitation & Water in the Capital Community sanitation and public cleanliness in Bamako is poor and the standards of public health controls are inadequate.
- Bouille - Porridges (sweet milk and cereal) djablani - local drink (ginger, hibiscus and
Mali’s capital, Bamako’s garbage collection system
baobab tree fruit)
is erratic and not adequate for the size of the city. Only a small area of Bamako is served by a sewage
- Alcohol is not prohibited despite being an
system, and open sewers exist even in the better city
Islamic country and many Malians drink millet
sections.
beer The city is infested with flies, mosquitoes, and other - Kola Nut - High in Caffeine, kola nuts give quick energy boost when chewed. They have been used since ancient times as tokens of friendship and respect “In some villages, a young man will take three kolas to his prospective father-in-law when asking for a girl’s hand in marriage.”
insects. Local water supplies are not safe. Bamako’s public water supply is chlorinated, and water is potable when it leaves the filtration plant, but the distribution system is inadequate and contamination often occurs. Locally (commercially) bottled beverages and processed foods are generally of satisfactory quality. Fresh milk is not safe to drink unless you pasteurize it. (encyclopedia.com/mali)
Research | Culture
Historic Malian architecture construction methods and materials
Historic Architecture
The historic mosques vary in their construction from earth, wood and stone, whereas villages along the river use mud, houses and mosques on
Using carbon-14 dating mud structures can be dated back to as far as 2nd and 3rd century. The structures are found sheltered within the cliff face and were used for granaries and
the plateau and in the cliff area combine stone with earth. (Dogon_Images_and_Traditions, p286). Perhaps the most famous is the Great Mosque of Djenne, Bamako (right).
graveyards. The ancient structures were built using layers of mud, know as ‘mud coiling technique’
Religion
Mosque of Djenne Photo: FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images
The Great Mosque of Djenne
“Although its spreading goes back to the 11th century, Islam was more or less limited to urban centres such as Djenne, Dia, Timbuktu and Gao. It was the faith of the elite in power and of the trading community. It is only after a series of holy wars in the 19th century that Islam definitely took root in rural zones and in Dogon country. Today’s dynamism in traditional architecture manifests itself, among other things, in the extensive building of a variety of mosques that have their own distinguishing stylistic features that are easily identifiable. For example, many mosques have façades composed of niches with checkerboard patterns.” (Dogon_Images_ and_Traditions, p282)
Constructed in 1907, the iconic mosque like thousands of other buildings in Mali is made of mud.
Ritual - Masons pack mud and straw into bricks, these are dried by the sun and stacked to form walls. - Mud is plastered in layers over the top to provide better stability and a smooth finish. - As with all mud structures, the building is open to the elements and has to be regularly maintained. Rain, humidity and temperature changes cause cracks and erosion. - Mud masons and members of the community come together to repair the mosque prevent it falling apart and is entirely re-plastered every year.
Design Palm wood projects out from the external walls and function as scaffolding for maintenance work in higher areas. These features have come to be used in other mosques as decorative elements even in low-rise structures. (Kamiya, 2009)
Current Malian Construction Techniques
Current Architecture Labour Ritual Compress Earth/Clay Bricks Reed Huts Poured Concrete Process Wattle and Daub/Cob Thatch Roofs Recovery of old wooden beams are recycled in the villagers’ new homes
Corrugated Steel Roofs Mud Block + Mud Plaster Earth is the cheapest material and obtainable anywhere humans live, in addition to that it is efficient in keeping warmth, it is an excellent construction material as long as there is little precipitation in the region
Sun Dried Mud Blocks Clay mud mixed with straw into a wooden box without bottom, and then soon pulls up the box to leave that cuboid lump of mud under the sun.
Things to Consider As portrayed in the images construction methods vary considerably depending on, location, wealth and natural resources. In rural villages very basic methods are implemented using what materials they have readily
If it is baked by fire, it becomes a ‘baked brick’ as hard and strong as a stone. However, they are used only for special buildings for the reason that precious timbers are needed as fuel for that.
available, typically mud blocks with mud plaster, thatch/tin roof with clay/cow dung flooring. It is also common practice to recycle their own building materials to repair damage
Concrete Pillars and Foundation
incurred over the rainy season or to build a new structure in a different area.
Concrete Block Recently concrete-block buildings are increasing in urban areas, but when they are covered with mud plaster, one cannot distinguish them seemingly from earthen buildings
Walls of straw mats or cornstalks lashed to wooden poles
In more developed areas clay bricks, cement and concrete is much more common, providing more durable and water proof structures. Windows are usually open apertures with shutters to allow for light and ventilation. Larger buildings also consist of steel work, glass and M & E.
Cob
Other Architecture
Cob is a mixture of sand, clay, and straw similar to adobe, but lumps of cob are applied wet to build up a wall, bench, or as thermal mass around stoves. Like sculpting a home.
Wattle and Daub Wattles are made from flexible wood or fibres and are woven loosely to create an underlying structure for a
Precedent Study
wall (imagine a loosely woven basket). Plaster is then daubed onto the wattle to finish the wall and provide
Mudhif Houses AL-CHIBAYISH, Iraq
thermal mass. Straw wattle
Giant reed houses made in the marshes of
is a better-insulated varia-
Southern Iraq.
tion where clay-embedded
Things to Consider Reed have been used for hundreds of years
long straw fibers are woven
Constructed out of reeds and adobe,
and is an excellent example of how a weak
around light-weight uprights
Mudhif houses are slightly curved communal
material can be utilised to create a solid
and then plastered.
spaces. The structures can be built in under 3
structure.
days without nails, wood or glass. The islands
Adobe Adobe, like cob, is made from straw, clay, and sand but is sun dried into bricks and then stacked to form walls. It is generally finished with an earth plaster.
that some of the houses sit on are made from
Reed has good insulation, water resistant
compacted mud and rushes.
properties and is relatively light weight and good use of natural resource that can be
Mudhif houses act as the main centre of society for the Madan. Visitors are hosted in the house, and religious and cultural life are also centred there. Today, a rebirth of the ancient Mudhif style has been spurred by the United States Army, who have worked with local populations to rebuild
Rammed Earth
modern houses with a Madan twist. In an effort
sustainably managed. It can also be quickly assembled Currently short reed is used for roofing. Waste can be packed in bales which can be plastered with clay or lime mortar. This creates a ‘breathing house’ with good insulation. Mixing crushed reed straw and clay can be
Earth can be pounded into
to aid refugees, many of these marsh homes
forms to create massive
have been constructed as housing projects to
walls to form a house. While
accommodate the deluge of people returning
however it needs regular maintenance and
utilizing minimal resources, it
to Southern Iraq after being displaced by the
repairs. Primarily used for roofing and insulating
can be very labor intensive.
war. (www.atlasobscura.com/places/mudhif-
material - withstand moisture, temperature
(www.dancingrabbit.org)
houses)
changes, UV radiation, snow, ice and storms.
used for walling and flooring. As a building material it is very durable, 40-70 years,
(Stenman, 2008)
Malian Health Clinic
Health Clinics
Teaching occurs where there is space often members of the community have to sit on the floor No breast feeding privacy Tightly fitted concrete benches
People queue in the verandas in order to stay cool and avoid too much sun exposure Overcrowding Limited space
Mothers are taught; - how to administer RUFT - how to perform CPR - health, hygiene and diet
Things to Consider Large queues form which end up outside and unsheltered, umbrellas used for personal shading
To provide a better experience it is important to consider the experience of the patients. Key elements are; - Enough comfortable seating - Queuing Area/Waiting Room
Children are washed in buckets
- Space for overspill - Adequate shading - Hygienic washing/changing stations
Many flys/mosquitoes
- Well - drinking water - Breast feeding privacy - Inspection/Vaccination Space - Education Space
Vaccinations administered
- Communal Space - Storage (Equipment cannot be stored overnight due to theft - unless secured)
Clinics are congregating experiences and often
Other:
people are waiting a long time to be seen, so
- Bicycles stands
singing, chanting and clapping often occurs
- Flip flops - Fly nets
Precedent Study
Fabrication Labs
Project Peanut Butter Factory, Malawi - PPB’s first factory was constructed in 2004. - Annual production capacity of 400 metric tons. - The facility produced 200 additional metric tons of RUTF in 2011 in response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa, which was shipped to organisations working on the ground in the famine struck areas. - The Malawi factory today has the capacity to produce enough food to meet the needs of the entire country. Factory accredited by UNICEF, Doctor’s Without Borders (MSF) and the World Food Programme. It is run exclusively by Malawians.” (PPB, 2016)
Things to Consider Studying PPB I learnt that the RUTF food production has to pass international
2004
2014
specification and UN regulations. The process and facility has to be bacteria free due to the product treating children with such low immune systems. As conveyed in the images relatively expensive and sterile environment is required for such fabrication labs. For my project it may be best to house all machinery and food processes in controlled factories. The initial concept was to have small scale fabrication at each clinic however this would be expensive and food produced would have to meet strict regulation. Equipment and products also risk being stolen unless they can be stored securely.
To help me understand and appreciate the culture of schooling in Mali I began researching into ‘Ouelessebougou Alliance’ foundation that focus on health, education and economic
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
development in Mali.
Educational Facilities
- Nelson Mandela
“The Alliance also works to cultivate globallyminded citizens in Utah by providing opportunities for students and other community members to learn about Malian culture, history, and position in the global community.” (Alliance, 2016) Mali has a 6-3-3 formal education structure. - Primary school - age 7, duration of six grades - Secondary school is divided into two cycles: lower secondary consists of grades 7 - 9 upper secondary consists of grades 10 - 12 In Mali, the first nine grades of education are referred to as “Enseignment Fondamendal”. Basic education comprises “enseignment fondamendal”, together with pre-primary and non-formal schooling. In principle, public education school is free and
Photos: www.lifteachother.org
compulsory through the end of grade 9 (7-16 year old). Students sit for the Diplôme d études
The permanence, quality and materiality of the
Schools that have managed to secure help and
fondamentales (DEF) at the end of grade 9, and
schools vary quite considerably. According to
funding from charitable organisations or the
the baccalauréat at the end of grade 12. The
the organisation ‘Build a School in Africa’ the
government benefit from permanent buildings,
academic year lasts about 24 weeks. (UNESCO)
more rural village schools are making do with;
constructed from concrete or mud blocks mixed with cement, but over time many of them fall
Mali has the 2nd lowest literacy rate in the world
Temporary shelters - walls of straw mats or
into disrepair and require maintenance to fix
58% attend school in Mali
cornstalks lashed to wooden poles, or the small,
cracked walls, broken concrete floors, crumbling
38% completion rate (primary school)
dark and stuffy buildings made of mud brick.
cement and rusted or missing windows.
1.9% go to college (UNICEF)
(buildaschoolinafrica.org) As many as four children share one text book.
As represented in the photographs much help
Despite low attendance many schools are
“From better health to increased wealth,
is needed to fill school with supplies, the lack of
over crowded. In some schools the children are
education is the catalyst of a better future
textbooks is still a major issue despite how far
expected to clean the classrooms on a Friday
for millions of children, youth and adults. No
schools in Mali have come.
afternoon.
country has ever climbed the socioeconomic
Cost - Bench Desks: £65 - French Textbooks: £9
development ladder without steady investments in education” - Irina Bokova, Director UNESCO
Modern approach to a traditionally used material and method of construction
Educational Facilities
Precedent Study Project: Primary School Architects: LEVS architecten, Amsterdam Client: Foundation Dogon Education, Contractor: Enterprise Dara, Sevaré, Mopti and executor Amayoko Tagadiou, in collaboration with students of the Lycée Technique in Sevaré and with the local population of Tanouan Ibi. Commission: 2012 Construction: March – July 2013 Occupancy: October 2013 Site: 2.5 ha Gross Floor: 200 m2 Costs: 45.000 Euro
(boekje-Tanouan-Ibi-EN, p5)
Compressed Earth Blocks
Cement
Red Earth & Cement Roof
- Hydraulic pressed - Each Stone is 8,5 kg - Withstand pressure of 15 N-mm² - Water resistant, 3 – 4 % cement is added
- Cement imported to Mali
- Waterproofing
- Even for the compressed earth bricks,
Educational Facilities
- 20-30 mm thick
which contains 3/4% cement, it makes up 85% of the cost per brick.
Things to Consider Use of local resources and local material. - Sustainability
Ceramic Tubes - Ventilation + Lighting - Sealed for rainy season (2/3 months)
Verandas The school is complying with the demands
- Compliments landscape & traditional construction methods Involvement of locals and students throughout construction process. - Improve current skills and methods linked to existing techniques
- Ventilation tunnels
- Reduce build cost
- Shading between classes
- Increase community ownership
imposed by the government and by the CAP (Centred’Animation Pédagogique)
Temperature Control & Regulation.
Consists of;
- Highs of 40’ degrees can be reached
1 - School building (3 Classrooms with desks and chalk boards, Office and Storage for Director) 2 - Sanitary block 3 - Common outdoor space enclosed by Jatropha trees in order to offer some protection against animals
choice of material and design
Each classroom requires a surface of 7 x 9 m² to offer space to about 60 students. (boekje-Tanouan-Ibi-EN, p6-7)
- Reduce temperature and increase comfort by
Material and Design. - Hydraulic compressed earth blocks - Clay earth + 3/4% cement for thermal mass and water resistance - Verandas for ventilation tubes and - Provide shelter + enclosure Jatropha Trees - Roof 20-30 mm of red earth + cement in order to achieve a waterproof - Ceramic tubes for ventilation and lighting
“Renewable energy is essential for Africa, in terms of economic growth, independence and education. It is particularly so for Mali where the expectations of the population are very strong”
Off-Grid Energy
(Eric Scotto, chairman and co-founder of Akuo Energy)
Currently there are many organisations that do
FACE Africa - brings clean water, sanitation and
important work into producing off-grid energy,
hygiene programs to remote communities in Sub-
particularly electricity. The goal with my project
Saharan Africa.
would be to utilise sustainable solar energy. “We believe water is a catalyst for change and Akuo Solar secures financing for 50MW solar project in Mali The West African Development Bank (BOAD), Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), the National Bank of Agricultural Development of Mali (BNDA), Green Africa Power (GAP) and GuarantCo have agreed to finance a 50MW PV project in Mali. (www.pv-tech.org)
the first step to lifting communities out of a cycle of disease and poverty.” Lumos Global - offers clean and affordable solar power to people who live off the electricity grid
hwww.faceafrica.org/our-projects/
“Lumos believes everyone has the right to enjoy better quality of life offered by access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity”
Mali has had probably more success than any other African country in the development of isolated mini-grids, with more than 200 mostly small diesel mini-grids in operation. Increasingly, these diesel installations are being supplemented with renewable technologies to create hybrid mini-grids. Despite the rise of renewable sources, diesel remains an important fuel for off-grid generation. IRENA report that it is the second largest energy source for mini-grids. Diesel has the advantage, subject to fuel being available, of being able to generate electricity at all times when renewable energy may not be on hand. For this reason, many installations are hybrid systems, combining renewable and diesel generation. (pwc/energyutilities-mining/pdf)
(www.lumos-global.com)
Site Selection Fabrication Lab & Distribution to Community Hubs After communication with colleagues from the Mali School of Architecture we concluded that this location is suited to situate the fabrication lab for the production of RUFT and ‘Pinder’ Products due to; - Good transportation links - Access to into the capital and out to rural villages - Ease of transportation of goods via the River Niger and Airport - Land to expand and grow own product - Rapidly developing area - Hydro-station being built to the North of the site - Relationship with ICRISAT can develop to improve and assist with agricultural process I have developed the project by separating the fabrication lab from the clinics/education facilities which will allow for a controlled and sterile environment for the products to be manufactured. The RUTF and Pinder products can be delivered to the clinics. The money generated from overseas sales will be utilised to improve the infrastructure and connections between the villages in order to reduce isolation and improve transportation, the movement of goods and ultimately the economy of the villages.
Transportation
The location of the health centres and schools would be much more beneficial in rural villages further out from the capital district. I have been collaborating with a colleague in choosing a new site, which represents a good example of one of the hundreds of undeveloped rural villages across Mali that my scheme could be implemented.
Selected Rural Village Collaborating with my colleague in Mali we have decided on the rural village of Tinkele, 50km South of the capital Bamako.
Community hubs will be situated in underdeveloped rural villages that require the need of schools and clinics. The main reason for a recent increase in school attendance is due to the promise of hot food. I can unify this service with the agricultural smallholder connections associated with this project. - The school will provide compulsory education for 7-16 years and offer hot lunch. - The clinic will be used to treat malnutrition and educate families on health, diet and hygiene. - The will also be a community hub providing a communal area, a drinking well and a store for Pinder Products and other useful items such as mosquito nets and flip flops.
Latitude : 11°53’38.78”N Longitude : 7°57’33.38”O The project can benefit from my colleague’s local knowledge of Mali and prior knowledge of this particular village. Having this relationship I have the ability to collect important information about the site throughout the Semester.
Project Concept
Distribution Strategy
Village of Tinkele People The population of Tinkele is circa 5,000 people and growing. Adults will typically farm the lands and attend church and the market on Sundays. As shown the people come together to dance and sing in groups which indicates a strong sense of community.Children from the ages 7-16 attend the school and help their parents to day to day jobs.
Gardens Many of the homes have created their own small gardens to grow essential crops such as tomatoes, onions, papaya, okra, salad etc. to support them and their family. The some of the gardens have fences around them to protect them from animals. The gardens are irrigated using water collected from nearby wells. Crops grown on lager scale are situated in the open lands surrounding the villages.
Dwelling Formations Viewing the drone footage over the village it was clear to see how the houses have been formed in small clusters, arranged in a circular fashion, often with vegetation and a well in the centre. This highlights the natural tenancy of people to form small communities and desire to be near other people.
Materials of Tinkele Brick Excavation Bricks are made by digging up surrounding areas of land, leaving scattered craters in the landscape. This is a process that can be improved and an opportunity can be created by using the excavation within the construction of the design. Using the ground a thermal mass can be a great tool in cooling buildings, appropriate for the hot conditions.
Timber, Reeds and Grass Locally sourced wood and grass are utilised for roof structures, fencing and support columns. It is common practice for timber to be collected, used and recycled for many structures including market stools and houses. The vernacular methods used are thatching, weaving, stacking, fence posting and columns. I can develop and utilised these methods within my design.
Construction Methods The methods and materials used for the buildings are basic, they typically consist of adobe brickwork, clay/cow dung flooring, mud plaster with corrugated metal roof or grass thatching. These methods pose a number of issues regarding durability, overheating, waterproofing, noise and aesthetics. My aim is to develop these vernacular methods and provide an enhanced, sustainable and beautiful alternative system. Generally the circular buildings are used as Kitchens because people refuse to sleep in them as they are not waterproof, cooked in during the day and outside under an appatam in the evenings.
Services of Tinkele Electricity Electrical lines have been installed but it is not active. The village stays in the dark during the night, however some villagers have use of solar panels. As indicated in the photographs a larger solar panel has been installed to enable people with phones to charge them.
Water Wells are scattered across the village but are often found in the centre housing clusters. The construction and systems of the wells are very basic and often require lowering a bucket or bag by rope down to the water table. Most sophisticate well is a pump action well installed by the Japanese Government in 2003 along with some other facilities. These wells could greatly be improved and using modern techniques the water could be stored, filtered and used for drinking and irrigation with the use of solar powered pumps.
Toilets Toilets in Tinkele are simply holes in the ground. The original toilet blocks are open top, mud block cubes as shown. The newer toilets, neighbouring the school built in 2003, are much more advanced in their materiality, privacy and construction.
Flora & Fauna of Tinkele
Animals The animals that roam around the village consist of cattle, chickens, goats and donkeys, which are used for their milk, eggs, meat and a means of transporting heavy loads.
Native Trees There are a vast range of fauna in the village of Tinkele but what is noticeable its the lack of shrubs and small plants. There seems to be either larger tress over 3m and then long grass/ reeds and little in-between. The many of the trees have large, dense foliage perfect for providing shade and shelter. These particular species would be beneficial as a cooling strategy for my design through shading and transpiration.
Transportation The mode of transport used around the village is commonly via bicycle, however a couple of cars and motorbikes can be seen around the village. Vans and small trucks are seen transporting people and goods along the main road particularly when the market is in use.
Facilities of Tinkele Health Centre The Japanese aid have helped the village by constructing facilities such as a health centre, a church, a school and toilets. They are constructed using corrugated metal roofs and concrete walls. The facilities are overcrowded and with an increasing population more will be needed. A metal roof in sunny conditions creates a very hot, uncomfortable and unhealthy conditions to be in.
Church The church is constructed in a similar way, however the walls do not meet the roof creating more apertures for ventilation and daylighting. This building is used on Sunday for church and an informal market at other times. People will typically attend service on Sunday morning and then go the market along the main road for supplies for the week.
Market The local market takes place roadside because of the main road that passes through. The temporary market stools are constructed using timber posts and grass canopies. People use the road to come to the village and because of this activity a roadside market has been generated to trade goods easily. Many things are bought and sold at the market including clothing, toys, pottery, buckets and assortment of food locally grown.
Facilities of Tinkele & Site School - One school for 1,200 Students As mentioned previously the Japanese Government built some facilities in 2003 including a school classroom, this is the only school facility they have and it is constructed using a metal roof and concrete walls. The metal roof causes the rooms to overheat and when it rains it can be so loud you can not hear people talking. The extent of ventilation for the spaces is by opening the shutters. I believe the conditions can be greatly improved through design.
Initial Site Location There is many areas of development opportunities in Tinkele so choosing a location to situate the community hubs was decided by its central location, intersection with popular walking routes, proximity to the main road, toilets and the ability the build housing branching out from the community hub.
Aerial Shots These images indicate the extent of the infrastructure, how dirt tracks and foot paths branch out from one main road. They portray the variety in shapes and sizes of buildings and the seemingly uncontrolled locations.
Drone Footage of Tinkele