Canada

Original

Niger

Over-consumption of wood, branches and grasses traditionally used as building materials in Niger has had the two-fold effect of diminishing natural resources and increasing the cost of materials. Building in the traditional manner can thus damage the environment, and the scarcity of wood and grasses has inevitably led to the use of poorer quality materials, with repercussions on the quality of construction. The situation has been exacerbated by the increasing concentration of people now settling in villages and towns. To address these problems, the Woodless Construction Programme promoted by IUCN and WWF, has evolved since 1985 as part of the Project for the Conservation and Management of Natural Resources in the Air and the Ténéré (PAT). The local population is trained in Nubian vault and dome construction techniques, which use locally available materials, principally unstabilised earth mud bricks, to construct both walls and roof without the need for timber shuttering. The resultant domed and vaulted forms resemble indigenous shelters, though these are more normally built from wood and grasses. The three structures presented here: the PAT headquarters, the Village Development Council Centre, and the Case Takatcho-a single room, circular, domed shelter are representative of possibilties for construction using these techniques. Construction Sans Bois continues as an independent programme in Niger, supported by IUCN and implemented by Development Workshop. Air and Ténéré are hot desert regions with mountains and sandy plains touched by years of drought and the growth of the desert. Iferouane is situated on a rich sandy plain bordered on one side by an irregular seasonal wadi, and irrigated gardens. Beyond the wadi, the land rises sharply into the Tamgak Mountains, reaching a height of 2000 metres. Temperatures rise to 46°C in summer and drop to -2°C in winter, though the diurnal range rests an almost constant 18°C. Heat, cold, glare, dust and wind are important climatic factors which affect the design and layout of constructions. Buildings have been designed to counteract the harsh desert climate. Indigenous solutions have been adopted; massive walls which absorb heat build-up during the daytime, radiating the same heat at night; internal courtyards allow light and ventilation while offering protection from the hot sun; windows and doors, shaded by arched overhangs, similarly provide ventilation through the use of louvres; and closed east and west façades combat dust-carrying winds. The choice of unstabilised earth bricks and timber-free construction represents a clear conservation and resource management statement. The PAT headquarters in particular has acted as a flagship building, promoting techniques which use local labour and materials and maintain a maximum of financial resources within the local community. Demand for the construction method is increasing, and spontaneous projects, where no technical training or financial assistance has been provided, are increasingly evident. Trained master masons are experimenting with their own ideas and the degree of local appropriation indicates that this method of construction will become self sustaining and is suitable for the rural context of the Sahel. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Woodless Construction Program

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IAA1821

As part of an inter-disciplinary and integrated approach for the development of a typical Sahelien village, the Literacy Centre was built to meet community needs while offering an opportunity to introduce new design elements and test appropriate technology. Chikal Literacy Centre should not be seen as an individual building but should be considered in the large context of " Project Tapis Vert's anti-desertification programme. The long range goal of Project Tapis Vert (PTV) is to improve the quality of life of the villagers in the areas stricken by desertification and the consequent low agricultural productivity. To assist in alleviating hunger and malnutrition on a long-term basis PTV has the following objectives: to institute simple, repetitive, inexpensive and appropriate means to increase food production; and to develop techniques and methods of sustaining programmes of long-term action at the village level. The construction research and activities that are part of this project are intended to demonstrate or assess new technologies that are appropriate, and are a response to the necessity of finding alternatives for the use of wood in construction. The objectives of this sector as for the project, in general, are ambitious: To investigate solutions to reduce or eliminate the use of wood in village buildings; To investigate methods of making traditional buildings more resistant to the elements; and To provide training and technical assistance to local masons and villagers who are interested in proven building techniques. The building consist of two inter-connecting spaces flexible to house small or large group teaching activities. Both spaces are square in plan and are covered with a 3.5 m diameter dome . The western end of the building contains the entrance foyer and a wind-catcher. Climatic data gathered by PTV determined the orientation of the building. Because the prevailing winds come from the south-southwest during the hot dry season, the Literacy Centre was built with a wind-catcher and with major windows facing south. Foundations were constructed using cement blocks; walls were made of mud block bearing walls; and vaults and domes are protected by a mixture of sand & clay plus 5% cement. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Chikal Village Literacy Center

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IAA1781

Iran

Starting from 1973, within the framework of a governmental programme of regional development, the Development Workshop group set in 1974 upon constructing schools, health clinics, hammams, habitation complexes and other necessary urban facilities in the Lorestan region of Iran. The major aim was to demonstrate how the mobilization of human resources, natural resources, materials and technology, and cultural and value systems could generate a process of socio-economic development within the district and meet the communities basic needs. In keeping with this objective, the building section developed a strategy for enhancing the district's capacity to meet its own settlement and shelter needs. The strategy consisted of: Construction of essential buildings. such as schools, clinics.harnmams etc., in a way that demonstrated the use of improved indigenous methods as well as trained people in these methods; Establishment of local building materials industries to make the district self reliant in its required materials; Research and development on local resources and training local builders capable of designing and constructing most of the buildings required in the area; and Utilisation of the data derived from vernacular and traditional architecture, adapted by its forms, technology and materials to the economy and culture of the region. The constructions are functional, simple, well adapted and welcomed by the inhabitants, who gain access to equipment and facilities of which they were deprived. Building teams were trained. The provision of community services included roads, bridges, water supply, rural clinics, public baths, schools, as well as the creation of employment opportunities through small scale industry development related to local needs building materials, weaving, wood working etc. All activities were based on community participation. Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Lorestan Development Program

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IAA1442

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Development Workshop
Canada

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Development Workshop

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