|
Post by Nka on May 1, 2017 13:00:27 GMT -6
We are using this page, as our questions and answers page about the 5th Earth Architecture Competition DESIGNING A RURAL ARTS CENTER FOR SENEGAL
On this page, registered participants may post questions for organizer to respond to and they can share documents on this page.
The deadline for posting questions is September 30, 2017.
NOTE: The published site plan for this school is not the final version. So, go ahead and design your best architectural piece. We will put all the nominated designs together to create the Masterplan for the campus.
|
|
|
Post by lorenzomognini on Jul 3, 2017 7:03:45 GMT -6
Question from lorenzomognini Hi, few questions:
1 – The completion is for the art village? An Arts Center? A school? Or just a part of the school (a classroom type, cafeteria type, office building type, dormitory type, group toilet type, cafeteria type, dormitory type, dwelling type for the local teachers, and guest house type for our international visiting staff) ? It is not very clear from your “Design Brief” and website.
The competition is for the design and construction of the first phase of a residential vocational school for rural arts and design. We call it an arts village, a learning center to provide relational spaces for creative people from the region and other countries to live, work, learn and create. Globally, we host international workshop, conferences, exhibitions and guest project. Locally, the vocational school provides hands-on training to local youths of ages 16 to 25 years to undergo a 2-year skills development training in the vocational arts and earth architecture.
You are supposed to design a type that fits into the masterplan design. The house type should be from one of the categories mentioned on design brief: “a classroom type, cafeteria type, office building type, dormitory type, group toilet type, cafeteria type, dormitory type, dwelling type for the local teachers, and guest house type for our international visiting staff”.
Yes, you have to design only one building. And yes, use the masterplan to situate your design. When all the designs are in, some modifications on the masterplan may be necessary for the construction.
2- If we have to design only one building, we have to use as a masterplan the one designed by Podjamas Chaisuraphawat (Page 3 in “Design Brief”) ?
Yes, you have to design only one building. And yes, use the masterplan to frame your design. When all the designs are in, some modifications on the masterplan may be necessary for the construction.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Jul 25, 2017 10:36:55 GMT -6
Question from JG:
Hi everyone, about the estimation of the construction, can we get some prices for materials and implementation ? Metal sheets, timber structure, earthwork, rammed earth, adobes, joinery...? Could be useful to respect the 10000 USD. Thanks !
ANSWER: You can, instead of itemized budget, bulk the estimation of the construction into: Foundation, Walling, Roofing, Finishing and Miscellaneous.
Expect to pay the local skilled laborer about $10 per day and unskilled laborer $7 per day. In general, a truck load of quarry stone would about $120.00, and 1 bag of cement is $11. And keep in mind that prizes are subject to change.
Here is my estimate for: Hand Pressed Brick per brick = Budget 20 cents per brick Framing Lumber per linear foot = Budget $1. Heavy Wood beam per linear foot = Budget $2 8' x 8' Plywood per unit = about $9 And there is 4' x 8' and the current price is about $8 Sand per lb - It is usually sold by truck trips, a trip of sand = $60
Small aggregate per lb = gravels sold by truck trips, budget $100 per trip
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Jul 28, 2017 20:13:36 GMT -6
QUESTION: "Where is Podjamas Chaisuraphawat's masterplan situated into the Diakounda Village? It is difficult to understand its relationship to the rest of the village. Can you outline a box of the masterplan in a google maps image of Diakounda?
Also, the brief gave specifics regarding the number of people each building should maximally hold as well as types of activities that might occur in the building. However, it did not give specific lot dimensions or building footprint requirements that follow the layouts of the masterplan. Do we have freedom regarding these building dimensions?"
ANSWER: Here are Goggle maps showing where the site is situated in the Diakounda Village. Our site is off the Trans-Gambia Highway.

You also have questions about building type. Follow the specifications provided in the design brief. For example, it says: "4 Dormitory Buildings for 25 students per dorm." So, design to that specification. However, we are flexible with lot dimensions/building footprint, we ask that you design the unit to fit into the layouts of the masterplan. Yes, you have "freedom regarding these building dimensions."
|
|
kasia
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by kasia on Jul 31, 2017 3:45:48 GMT -6
QUESTION: The maximum budget (10 000 USD) for dormitory type is for all dormitories or per one (as there should be 4 dormitories 25 people each)? Also, could there be 10 buildings, 10 people each, that together give 100 people (just like 4 per 25)?
ANSWER: The 10,000 USD budget is per one of the 4 dormitories. One dormitory building for 25 people looks sufficient. So focus your design on one building, which you can repeat to create a unit plan for 100 people.
And you asked: "Also, could there be 10 buildings, 10 people each, that together give 100 people (just like 4 per 25)?" No, the design brief says "4 Dormitory Buildings for 25 students per dorm"
Considering the budget, I think you should focus your design and the budget on 1 dormitory type for 25 people. Creating a unit plan for housing 100 students by repeating the type would look good, but not mandatory.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Aug 5, 2017 7:26:51 GMT -6
From Honourarc
QUESTION: “Hi nka. Based on the site plan presented, are the identified buildings already existing on the site? If they are already, at what location within the site plan do we situate our proposed designs? The information on the site plan begs for further clarification. Secondly, the minimum number of people each type unit should accommodate wasn't mentioned, if it was, I may have missed it. Please provide further details.
Thanks”
There are no buildings already existing on the site. The existing site plan is not the final one, we will generate the Masterplan from the designs for construction. For now, situate your design within the site plan according to the function of your design. For example, if you are designing a classroom/workshop space, situate it near the highway, but if you are designing a student dormitory, situate it in the other side of the plot of land.
You are saying that the minimum number of people that each unit should accommodate was not mentioned. The design brief states some of them, such as 4 dormitory buildings for 25 students per dorm, cafeteria with eating area for 100 people, and the dome (performing arts space that sits 500 people. The rest is up to your design concept in view of that fact that you are designing for 100 students who will live in the campus.
|
|
|
Post by lorenzomognini on Aug 5, 2017 8:32:57 GMT -6
Hi, in the "dormitory type building" can we include the Toilet/shower room for the students? or they have to use the communal toilets building?
ANSWER: Include the toilet/shower room for the students for use by those living in the dormitory. The toilet/shower room can inside the dormitory or an annex to the dormitory.
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Aug 5, 2017 20:28:05 GMT -6
What is the name of the river adjacent to the Diakounda Village? The river branches off from the Soungrougrou River, but no name is attached to it on google maps.
Also, what is the traditional dwelling of the Diakounda Village/area? I understand that the traditional dwelling of the Northern Savanna is a compound consisting of several units that enclose a courtyard, but from pictures of the site provided by you and images from google maps, it does not look like this architectural style is common to the Diakounda Village.
Thank you!
ANSWER: I do not have the name of the river, which is adjacent to the Diakounda Village, but I can find out. Why do you need to know the name? The dwellings of the Diakounda Village today are modern involving mainly mud houses with zinc sheet roofing. As you can see from the above map and site photo below. the roof of the dwelling types are made of corrugated zinc sheets.

|
|
|
Post by frolund on Aug 9, 2017 2:28:32 GMT -6
Hi Is there a water supply and/or sewage system in the area, or do they rely mainly on collected rainwater and wells? And how is wastewater handled? Also, bamboo should be widespread in the region, but do you know the cost of bamboo for construction?
ANSWER: "Is there a water supply and/or sewage system in the area..." No public sewage. Pipe for public water passes through the site. So, no design for rainwater collection is needed.
And how is wastewater handled? As follows is a typical wastewater handing system:
 A Typical Sewage System single dwellings
|
|
|
Post by babubrian on Aug 10, 2017 5:13:43 GMT -6
Hi. I have a question in the design categories. From the objectives in the design brief (page 2), you have outlined the categories listed below, which you sensitized too while answering the question from lorenzomognini on this forum.
- Classroom type
- Cafeteria type
- Office building type
- Dormitory type
- Group toilet type
- Dwelling type for the local teachers
- Guest house type for our international visiting staff
However, in your wishlist of programmatic units (page 12), you have outlined far more spaces, some of which are not in the objective but you've hinted to even when answering Honourarc's question namely, the dome. The wishlist includes:
- Dormitory Buildings
- Chapel Building
- The Dome
- Dwelling Type for international visiting staff
- Cafeteria
- Commercial Center
- Classrooms
- Community Library
- Demonstration Farm
- Fruticetum
Kindly clarify on what is and isn't in the design categories.
ANSWER: You are free to design any of the units mentioned but within the budget of $10,000.
|
|
|
Post by shradhan on Aug 15, 2017 12:43:43 GMT -6
Hi, I had a small doubt. The design brief contains two site plans. The bigger one is about 30,000 sq.m and there is a smaller one which is around 12,400 sq.m. Can you clarify which one we should be following
ANSWER: Use this one
 The final site plan will be made after the design entries that will be built.
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Aug 17, 2017 18:53:00 GMT -6
In regards to your question about the river, I was hoping that by knowing the name of the river that it would be easier to research the site and the river's relationship to the site. If you have information regarding the river and its relationship to the site, that would be sufficient as well. Also, I was curious if you had any topographic information for the site or a means of accessing it. From my understanding through google maps elevations and site pictures, the site is generally flat with lower elevations towards the river. Thank you!
ANSWER: The name of the river is not on the Google map and the national language is French. Yes, the elevations of the site are generally flat. So, design your unit based on flat elevations. On site, you will conduct site analysis, and build the design.
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Aug 22, 2017 11:26:15 GMT -6
Also, on the heels of frolund's question regarding sewage system and water pipeline, does Diakounda have access to electricity, internet, and or gas infrastructure? Thank you!
ANSWER: Diakounda has access to electricity by the public grid. Internet is by pendrive as mobile device. Gas infrastructure is not of the public grid. Cooking gas bottled in cylinders is the common practice and is wide use in the region.
|
|
zed
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by zed on Aug 25, 2017 12:02:58 GMT -6
We are using this page, as our questions and answers page about the 5th Earth Architecture Competition DESIGNING A RURAL ARTS CENTER FOR SENEGAL
On this page, registered participants may post questions for organizer to respond to and they can share documents on this page.
The deadline for posting questions is September 30, 2017.
NOTE: The published site plan for this school is not the final version. So, go ahead and design your best architectural piece. We will put all the nominated designs together to create the Masterplan for the campus.
|
|
zed
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by zed on Aug 25, 2017 12:03:31 GMT -6
Can we submit the design of Two Buildings/Units? Eg: A library and a chapel both
ANSWER: Yes, you can submit two design entries (library and chapel). The answer is in the design brief: "If you are submitting more than one entry, each design entry requires a separate ticket."
.
|
|
zed
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by zed on Aug 26, 2017 23:53:06 GMT -6
What is the cost of Bamboo in Senegal? And is it a suitable material for the construction? Is it available easily?
ANSWER: In my travels in Senegal, I did not see Bamboo in use as a part of house construction material. It may be available is some areas of Senegal. My suggestion is that you integrate Bamboo into your design only if it is the best design option - and not on the basis of cost reduction.
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Aug 28, 2017 20:19:15 GMT -6
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Sept 1, 2017 11:12:26 GMT -6
QUESTION
What is the local culture of Diakounda like? What are some of their traditions or annual events? Thank you!
ANSWER Diakounda is a rural community dotted with mud houses of the mud brick type, roofed with corrugated zinc sheets. The main religion is Islam and the primary occupation of the people is farming. The environment is conducive to rice production. The official language is French, but the major language group is the Mandingo. Other language groups are the Diola and Wolof.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Sept 11, 2017 8:52:40 GMT -6
QUESTION
From ritesh9330: HELLO , WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WIND DIRECTION OF DIAKOUNDA VILLAGE
ANSWER The general direction of wind in the area is from West to East.
|
|
zed
New Member
Posts: 6
|
Post by zed on Sept 12, 2017 5:01:27 GMT -6
I have 4 questions - Is Stone available Nearby? If yes then what is the rate of the stone and how it has to be calculated? And also is Bent Plywood/Flexiply available? And What is the cost of constructing a Rammed Earth Wall?
ANSWER Stone is available and can be purchased from a local supplier. And the supplier will trucked it into the site for your project.
Itemized budget is problematic because most prices are negotiable. You can do a bulk budget instead of itemized budget. Staying within the budget, you can divide the budget as follows: Foundation Walling Roofing Fittings and landscaping
Grand Total =
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Sept 13, 2017 8:28:45 GMT -6
QUESTION From zed: What should be the approximate size of the Library? For how many People the library has to be designed? And what should be the Basic functions incorporated in the Library?
ANSWER: Community Library Architecture Aim to design a Rural Community Library to be built as a learning center to promote access to information and knowledge through educational, life skills development and recreational programs. The library can be designed to also preserve the culture of the community and nation by collecting and displaying artifacts as special collection.
By Community Library we mean that the library will be open to everyone in the community, including the students in the school, the local youths and the adult members of the community. The library is to serve at least 100 users at a time. Specifically, the library may consist of: - Shelves with books on diverse subjects, audio-visual materials, cultural artifacts, etc. - Computer lab with Internet access - A separate multipurpose (large) room with a projector for e-presentations, meetings, workshops and trainings on reading and writing among the local k-12 students and for conducting different types of adult education services on rural fields of study. - Some reading areas (indoors and outdoors) - Handwashing facility - Etc
|
|
jerel
New Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by jerel on Sept 13, 2017 13:55:35 GMT -6
QUESTION How many people should the classroom be designed for? And what should be the basic functions incorporated in the classroom? Thank you!
ANSWER There will be 4 Classrooms which will be used for instruction and practical works. That is, there will be 4 studios, as follows: 1 woodshop, 1 metalshop, 1 fabricshop, and 1 earth construction studio. Keep in mind: we want to keep each Classroom dimension at about 15 x 45 feet, so that 1 classroom can be built in a 3-month construction workshop. The classroom capacity is 30-45 persons.
|
|
|
Post by Houston on Sept 21, 2017 14:18:24 GMT -6
QUESTION: For the Dormitory Type, do there need to be rooms with space for a few students in each, or is it just supposed to be a communal sleeping area?
ANSWER: The Dormitory Type can be designed as rooms with space for a few students in each, or 2 or 3 communal sleeping areas. In either case, there needs to be toilets/bathrooms and a social space/common area, which may be indoor or in the outdoor area. The design will depend on your concept of what a school dormitory for the 21st century needs to look like.
|
|
logan
New Member
Posts: 2
|
Post by logan on Sept 22, 2017 13:46:37 GMT -6
How many pounds of Sand and aggregate come in each trip?
|
|
|
Post by silviamag on Sept 23, 2017 6:01:43 GMT -6
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM silviamag Hi! I'd like to know if the library has to keep the shape, size and position indicated in the masterplan. ANSWER: No. You have freedom with the design.
And also, if the guest house is meant as a fully equipped home with all services, (kitchen, bathroom, living room...) or as a guest dormitory with common areas. Thank you! ANSWER: The design concept is up to you. Both building type are needed. One building for those interested in self-catering, it will be a fully equipped home with all services, (kitchen, bathroom, living room...). There will be another building as a guest dormitory with toilets/bathrooms and common areas.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Sept 23, 2017 8:04:31 GMT -6
QUESTION:
For toilet type can you tell me what are the standards we should follow? Can you provide us with the number of toilet required?
ANSWER
The design is up to you. Here is our suggestion, for the community toilet design: You can design the Male section to be 6 toilets and 2 bathrooms and the for Female section to be 4 toilets and 1 bathroom. There needs to be 1 storage room for toilet cleaning tools.
For more suggestions, see the answer to questions from frolund on Aug 9, 2017 at 3:28am and download attached document about designing toilets for that region.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Sept 23, 2017 8:26:55 GMT -6
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS from melimartu
1. Is there any risk of thunderstorms, strong winds or any natural disaster (hurricane, earthquake)? When it rains, how strong are the winds? Hurricanes and earthquakes are not common to the area, but design the building to withstand natural disasters such as thunderstorms.
About rains, the design brief says: The climate is tropical, hot and humid with a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April.
2. What does "RAI 19.75" mean? (wrote down in the masterplan). It is land measurement.
3. Can you tell us de prices of pipes and water tanks? I can find out (the price for a Polytank, 500 gallons is about $500) . Here is the rubric: For an estimate for industrial products such as pipes and water tank, find out the standard price for them in the West and deduct 10% from it. If you are in a developing country, use same market price.
4. What type of stove and oven do they use? Do they use firewood for this? Is there firewood nearby? Mostly firewoods for the low income families and bottled gas for the middle income families. But for the school design, you have the freedom to come up an appropriate stove and oven for school.
|
|
|
Post by cory on Sept 28, 2017 14:09:46 GMT -6
QUESTION Hello, Is there a standard square footage for the cafeteria that we need to design to? Im in need of a dimensional guideline for the cafeteria that I assume includes a dining area, a serving area, and a kitchen area.
ANSWER: You are designing a cafeteria with eating area for 100 people. Yes, the design includes a dining area, serving area, service counter, and a kitchen area. The rest is up to you.
|
|
|
Post by Nka on Sept 29, 2017 10:46:19 GMT -6
QUESTION Dear NKA, can you please provide us with more information about the required facilities for the toilet and bathroom? what do you mean with the two typologies? thank you for your reply, kind regards.
ANSWER WATER FLUSH TOILET DESIGNS:
What is it? A water flush toilet relies on cistern water to flush urine and fecal material from a toilet bowl either directly into a pit or through a pipe to a pit, septic tank or sewer. All conventional designs include a trap which forms a water seal. The water seal prevents flies and smells from entering the house through the waste pipe. The water may be provided from a cistern or poured from a bucket or other hand-held receptacle. There are two types of flush toilets common to both urban and rural areas in West Africa, namely flush toilet cistern and pour flush toilets.
Specifically, a flush toilet cistern is about the same as in developed countries, it relies on the use of flush toilet cistern to flush urine and fecal material from a toilet bowl. When a flush lever on cistern is pulled, a plug will open, allowing water to flow out to fill the flush toilet bowl. The flush goes either directly into the public sewage system or through a pipe to a septic tank dug outside the building on the plot. By pour flush toilet, we mean you manually pour water from a bucket to flush the toilet. The pour flush toilet is common in rural ares in Africa.
|
|