WikiHouse in Africa

[alastair]

By demand, somewhere to post for those interested in collaborating on project(s) in Africa, or to share thoughts on knowledge on how local materials / needs / economics would change / necessitate alternative technologies for Africa prototypes. 

[Jhono Bennett]

Hello,

my name is Jhono Bennett. I run a small NPO 1:1 - Agency of Spatial Design in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I am VERY interested in this aspect of WikiHouse.

How would you like to this further?

Kind Regards,

Jhono Bennett
www.jhonobennett.com
www.1to1.org.za

[Stephen Clark]

Hi There,

I am architect from Johannesburg and currently working in Johannesburg. I recently returned from 3 years in London working in the solid timber construction industry (CLT). I really believe that alternative forms of construction is the future, especially in the African and more specially the South Africa context. I am really excited about the prospect of the WikiHouse and would love to be part of the 1st WikiHouse construction on the continent, as far as I am aware. 

Jhono it would be good to hear your thoughts in this regard.

Stephen

[nick]

Hi Stephen,

How are the building codes and regulations in South Africa?  I have looked into some of the government initiatives to create housing there.  Ultimately, we were not able to move forward based on the wood based construction for residential homes. We were told that Concrete form and block were the preferred materials.  Recently I was informed, from a second hand source that steel stud framing was recently approved.  Thanks for taking the time to join up.

Nicholas

[Stephen Clark]

Hi Nicholas,

The building regulations at this stage only cover timber frame (stick frame) construction methodology, however if you apply a rational design, with an engineers certificate then other forms of construction will be passed by the various councils, such as the construction with SIP panels. The tricky part comes in where one is providing a 'new' material for construction, then that will have to go through a series of tests to be approved by the National Building Regulations. Very recently however a house in Cape Town was constructed using CLT panels from the Czech Republic, which I believe is the first in Africa and the Cape council passed it as part of a rational design certified by a qualified engineer and they got finance from a bank!

The other major hurdle as you say is that bricks and mortar are preferred, especially for the lower income market. The people feel they will be getting a lower quality home if it is constructed of plywood and a few nails. The other issue with this is the banks. They are not very willing/open to give bonds to non standard forms of construction as they feel it will be too risky and they are not informed well enough, as many banks believe timber homes are more vulnerable to to fires, even though they obey regulations and in many cases will out perform other building systems, especially the light weight steel frame system.

The South African market is not an easy one for a developer, especially when trying to go through the government for funding. This is why I am very interested in the WikiHouse concept and the community driven aspect is it pushing for. I believe if one can fund and build a WikiHouse or 2 with private funding and show it to the local people, the banks and the various governmental and housing organisations then this will be a very positive step forward.

I would be very interested to hear further what you proposed and what you have in the pipeline. 

Cheers,

Stephen

[nick]

Stephen,

Initially I was following up on an old research project and study done on housing in Africa by an M I T professor. I am looming for it now to share with you. Recently, within the past year, a friends brother relocated to South Africa to start a steel stud contracting company. It was mainly through this connection that we were trying to get a Wikihouse at least one built there.

There were some government subsidized programs as well that we found online and through the world monetary bank website to provide housing. however I must admit that wr never followed up on these as of yet. Maybe its time to try again? Let me know what you think.

Take care,

Nicholas

[Stephen Clark]

Hi Nicholas,

It would be great to read that research if you can find it for me. 

I think it would be fantastic if we can open up those channels of communication again that you mentioned, and I would be more than happy to help out and assist in any way. I have a colleague that is also speaking to government funded organisations for school buildings so we could possibly link up with them to share ideas specially regarding funding and regulations etc.

I am excited by the prospect.

Cheers,

Stephen

[nick]

original paper citing S African housing

From here I began some online research.  Time permitting, I am tracking down  the websites for you. 

[nick]

Government subsidies/grants

You may be able to help me navigate their programs a little better.

[Stephen Clark]

Hi Nicholas,

Many thanks for the links, I will have a look at them properly when I get a chance and will add my thoughts/suggestions shortly.

I am excited by the fact that you and others have made some ground work in this regard which is really encouraging.

I will be in touch,

Stephen

[Jhono Bennett]

Hello, 

While I am very interested in the technical solutions that are needed to tackle the housing issue in South Africa. My current focus is how to tie the legal and and institutional issues you guys have been discussing into a viable product while working with and for those (typically informal settlement dwellers) on the ground to engage those at governmental level through the complex socio-political discourse that is currently under way in the country.

Our strategy at the moment is technical user empowerment and multi-agency design solutions that are often not structural. Through this we have discovered that the building of houses or community structures is amazingly culturally and economically defined and differs from settlement to settlement (as I'm sure you all know). 

My point (sorry it took so long) is that the major issues we have seen in informal settlements is attached to the why and how people build,  and more critically in tenure issues, knowledge systems of construction and cultural stigma than access to professionals or 'designs'. My excitement about the Wikihouse idea lies more in Alistair's first example of a school that required design assistance and was offered a systemic solution instead of a built one.

I would like to discuss the 'open sourcing' of technical, legal and product solutions (built or not) that engage directly with the issues in informal settlements (or other poor and unsafe areas in South Africa) in accessible information formats or platforms.

Kind regards,

Jhono

--
Kind Regards,

Jhono Bennett

www.1to1.org.za
www.jhonobennett.com

[Neil Berrow]

The way I see it is that wikihouse empowers the person who wants to build their own home, I drive past those shacks along the motorway in CT everyday, I see people selling used bricks and used metal sheeting. 

The best idea would be to do the same, sell the parts, with a plan on how to build it, stuff the government, they don't give a shit about these people I can promise you. 

The only downside I see with this system is fire proofing and water resistance. You can paint fire proof solution on the wood and nail (or glue) plastic sheets all around it.

On Wednesday, June 5, 2013 4:21:58 PM UTC+2, nick wrote:

[nick]

There are other sheet good options besides plywood. Like Magroc for example.

[Dennis McMahon]

I agree - the true target market for wikihouse is NOT the established suburbs where you have the choice between this material or that or design purity etc.

The true market is the hovels, the ghettos and the shanty towns where the kids are living in tumbledown shacks because there is no better choice.

If we can make a difference in those places, wikihouse has done it's job

and you are correct Neil - govs do not care about those people (and rarely if ever go in to these townships) so building codes are NOIT the barrier here - wikihouse can add a form of building code to the design (such as fire proofing as part of the process etc) 

but ; lets face it - shanty towns are burning down now so a wikihouse township would be a vast improvement over what is there now in many places.

dennis

[Chad Tehini]

Hi all...

I am based in Johannesburg, and am willing to try and assist getting wikihouse into our shanty towns.

I have no architectural experience, however I am willing to assist in whatever way I can as this project can seriously improve the lives of people living in shacks!

If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2013 7:16:17 PM UTC+2, alastair wrote:

[Dennis McMahon]

Hi Chad

Shanty towns seem like an ideal application for the wikihouse distributed manufacturing model.

It will need a buy-in from the residents, so I feel that a project team would need to be formed to do the appropriate level of consultation with residents to ensure this is understood to be a project they will be a part of, not something that happens "to" them which is, unfortunately, what often happens with these type of projects

Do you know if there is a "Habitat for Humanity" team in the area or other similar NGO?

An established NGO working on poverty alleviation or housing would be a fantastic partner for the project.

If we can establish links with a local NGO that fits this profile, we can work out the project details

Thank you

Dennis

Dennis McMahon

Owner, CEO 
Green Business JV Marketing Sdn Bhd Co. No. 947360-A
Our other services here www.gbjvt.com
Malaysian Hand Phone +60169839715
Email: den...@gbjvt.com 

Suite 1-19 Menara TKS

Jalan Segambut

Segambut 51200 Kuala Lumpur

[Jhono Bennett]

Hello.

I have already introduced myself earlier, and run a small nonprofit that deals with Spatial Design with informal settlement dwellers called 1:1 Agency of Engagement. Www.1to1.org.za

As I stated earlier on, the situation of informal settlements and the groups around them are highly complex and the issuea facingany of these groupa are surprisingly not around technical solutoons for housing, but rather around service, polotical and tenure issues.

Technical solutions, such as what wikihouse proposes, have a very specific space in this field, but need to negotiated carefully.

I am happy to be involved in any future project or discussions to take this further.

Jhono

[Chad Tehini]

Hi Jhono,

Have you tried meeting with local authorities or traditional leaders to pitch the idea to them as community upliftment project?

Sorry just trying to figure out where we are at in terms informing rural communities about wikihouse?

I personally feel the best route is to find a small rural village that is willing to get involved in this project and as apposed to pitching it as we are here to help you, show them its their project to do with as they wish? 

Maybe you guys have all discussed this before? But if you need any assistance with anything relating to pitching the ideas or presentations etc I will be glad to help.

As said before I have no architectural experience but I do run my own business so can assist with administration etc.

Looking forward to working with you guys.

--
Chad Tehini

074 142 6727

[Jhono Bennett]

Helllo, 

Yes, I have been involved in many discussions with different forms of leadership, local and national government.

my interest in these spaces comes from my role as an spatial interventionist, and if/when we do eventually meet to discuss a possible project further, we should be very clear as to which exact 'problem' or 'issue' the group would be addressing - as the issues at face value do not give any clues to the deeper issues at hand. 

My stance in each individual projects, has been to identify one specific problem that is doable and works with and for existing social and developmental processes that are driven by individuals and communities.

lets keep talking.

Jhono

[Stephen Clark]

Hi All,

This group seems to have gone quiet during the past few months, its a bit sound that it got stuck in the academic realm. Is there is way we can move forward in a more pragmatic manner? I have been doing a bit of reading on crowd sourced funding, would that be an option to look at to getting a Wikihouse built? 

Regards,

Stephen

[Dennis McMahon]

Maybe we need to somehow crowdsource to locate a community that needs a concrete solution that wikihouse distributed production can provide - then focus on how to deliver that project using a combination of local NGO resources, and the wikihouse global community.

the local ngo can liaise with the community and the wikihouse community can design, fundraise etc as required

once a community has a cnc machine and some experience with design and build I am sure they will maximise the use of the machine  - and the wikihouse community can contribute design, suggestions etc

thoughts?

Thank you

Dennis

Dennis McMahon

Owner, CEO 
Green Business JV Marketing Sdn Bhd Co. No. 947360-A
Our other services here www.gbjvt.com
Malaysian Hand Phone +60169839715
Email: den...@gbjvt.com 

Suite 1-19 Menara TKS

Jalan Segambut

Segambut 51200 Kuala Lumpur

[Charlie]

Hi,

I will be in Johannesburg next week for a few days before going on to Malawi and back to SA again at the start of January. It would be great if I could meet people from this community while I'm there.

I come from an architecture and development background and would be interested to see how this might work with a longer-term vision, including the rights/access/partnerships issues that would have to be overcome so that it can be developed by local people rather than a type of outside technical intervention. I've chatted to Jimmy who is co-running the Rio chapter and that's the way they approach it - to them the focus goes far wider than the building and into the effects on community and the opportunities for local livelihoods.

I'm currently cutting a WikiHouse in the UK so I have experience of how the Plywood CNC-version works but I'm keen to see how earth could be used as a (potentially semi-digital) WikiHouse material. If anyone is up for having a larger group meeting to move the discussion off this message board then I'd really like to be involved in that.

Regards,

Charlie

[Hello WikiHouse]

Hi all

Great idea Charlie. If/when you do meet, Alastair and I would love to sit in via Skype if possible.

All the best

Sarah

--

WikiHouse Team

To find out more, join the community or to support the project please visit www.wikihouse.cc

[André Simon]

[elc...@gmx.net]

My name is Tillmann Römmler an architecture graduate from Germany .

I am doing research on resilient, human architecture as foreign aid for several years now. I will go on a field trip for half a year across Africa in 2015 in order to report how people from countless different ethnic groups build shelters for hundreds of years, perfectly assimilated to their climate and traditions. The goal is to get as much information and input for a better way to build appropriate shelters in contrast to those social dislocationed buildings being exported from the western world without a single thought.

WikiHouse is the linking part in this chain for me. Not beeing build out of Plywood but the idea itself is the key.

The Trip was already relocated duo to Ebola crisis in West Africa. I will now start in SA and will go up to Eritrea and Dschibuti through all different climate zones.

I appreciate any information I can get for this mammoth project. I am targeting privately financed projects as well as those being build through development assistance. 

If you have any suggestions for rather good or bad examples I would appreciate it.

Also I would like to get in touch with as many people as possible being into this stiff subject.

Current mail has changed to Till...@roemmler.org