Up! Up! And away…

March 9th at 9pm I will fly out and the mission will begin. As a case study for finishing my diploma at FAUP (Porto Architectural School), I've decided to volunteer and join A4A (Architects for Aid) in one of their humanitarian architecture projects. The projected on which I've been assigned is the construction of the LCCU (Lesotho Children Counseling Unit) centre in Lesotho. The building has been halted and an assessment, survey and new proposal and program will be drawn up in order that the building might finish to be built. Once this is completed a second trip will be organized and I'll be overseeing the building on site. The objective of this blog is to keep record of the work that is being done, both for the benefit of the members of A4A in London, FAUP to whom I'll also be reporting, my own record as well as friends and family that might want to know what I'm up to. Please comment on any post that you have an opinion, as this will undoubtedly help me in the completion of my thesis. Disclaimer: The information displayed on this site has not been previously edited or checked by any A4A staff and I'm the sole responsible for it's contents. A4A or any of the other involved organizations are not to be hold responsible on any account for what is published on this blog.

Friday, 6 July 2007

Hands-a cultural thing

Camille arrived yesterday, and thanks to Baba’s help it was possible to meet her at the airport.

Now I will have an extra pair of hands to help me on whatever I might need, on site, office, mixing concrete or playing with clay…

But before this starts I will now have a well deserved break. We started by a short visit to Kruger (and profiting from the fact I need to go to Maputo) will continue in Mozambique..

Kruger was great, the changes in landscape are amazing, no worse than the animals…

The only reason why I mention it is the traditional inspired architecture of the rest camps. “Skukuza” (where we stayed) was nice and modern with thatch being the key to this success, but at “Lower Sabie” this was taken even further and I saw something that can be a good alternative in case we cannot find Spanish reed… simple wood!

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