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.

Sunday, 18 November 2007

Go ahead

This Saturday I met (once again) Eng. Lebohang Phooko on site.

Once more it was very helpful of him to come and assess the site. From our findings the building did not sustain any major structural damage from the fire. There has still been considerable material damage but the structure is OK and that is great!

Part of the reason is that being thatch, low density material, the fire consumed itself quite quickly! And then the fact that we had screeds and render on the walls also helped to protect the structural elements.

So with that crucial information the contractor is getting ready to go ahead. However we are still waiting to see what the final decision on what measures will be taken to make the roof safe!

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