Africa Challenge Forum

Return to the Africa Challenge Page

Where can we find information on the specific sites?

All information related to the site, SIDAREC, and criteria and guidelines is available online at www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/challenge/africa. Those who have registered and paid the submission fee have access to additional information about the site, client and the specific needs of the challenge partner in the "Competition Details" menu.

Are the existing buildings part of the design?

No, designs should be from the ground up.

Where can I get more information about SIDAREC's youth leadership programs?

SIDAREC's own website is a great place to learn more about your community partner. Please note: The site is often down due to inconsistent internet connection.

Does my presentation board need to be translated?

All boards must be submitted in English first. Translations are not a requirement as the jury will be English speaking. That said, making translations available in Swahili would benefit your community partners at a later stage in the Challenge.

What if I still have questions about the AMD Open Architecture Challenge?

Please feel free to "Add a Comment" below and we will reply as soon as possible. You can also email challenge at architectureforhumanity.org

Discuss this item

Local Construction Methods:scriemann47

Wed, 2007-10-10 16:34

I’ve been trying researching local building materials and construction methods in and around Nairobi. To me it appears simple wattle and daub, wood, and corrugated metal are typically the most affordable materials. Does anyone know if I am correct in this assumption and if so what type of wood is being used?

It would also be helpful if some sort of a site plan was posted. It is next to impossible to design a building with only a couple general photos of a site.

site:Sebastian Snyder

Thu, 2007-10-11 04:17

i spent a great deal of time scouring aerial photography, and beleive that the site is at:

1°19'11.96"S

36°53'6.83"E

in exchange, please let all us know if you find information that would be useful the general competition public

good effort:jksarkodie

Tue, 2007-10-23 02:39

well done finding the site - genius!

Site info:Roho

Wed, 2007-12-05 14:25

i copied and pasted a message from the member 5eek. there has already been some discussion in the IMAGES page (including the finding of the actual site a few months ago)

From 5eek:

From the pictures I can tell that the site has black cotton soil which has high swelling and shrinkage characteristics and is generally bad for structures built on them.

If you zoom out of the site location, links provided below, you will see abandoned quarries nearby. In fact the SIDAREC buildings on site provide you with a picture of what are the cheapest building materials available in Kenya and they are:

1. Natural stone which can either be machine cut or shaped on site

2. metal sheets for roofing which are normally a form of galvanised steel and is manufactured locally. Scrap metal is expensive and would get stolen especially in a slum.

3. wooden frame from trees which are harvested when about 5-7m tall with a diameter of about 10-15cm. Generally wood is expensive as Kenya has put a complete stop to logging. Most hardwoods are imported from either Sudan, Congo or even as far out as South Africa.

4. There is a cement factory further down south of the site but please note that cement has become scarce as there is an unprecedented building boom that is even threatening expansion of the airport and has had an effect of prices shooting up (http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?Itemid=5813&id=2915&option=com_content...)

Site plan:Egboseventi

Fri, 2007-10-19 05:47

Is there a site plan available? If so, where can I find it? I have searched through the site but can see no mention of a site plan. Any ideas?

Site information coming soon...:Sola Morrissey

Mon, 2007-10-22 14:12

More information about the site will become available in the coming weeks. Architecture for Humanity and AMD will be visiting our community partners and documenting the planned building sites. This information will be shared with all Challenge entries as soon as it is available. Thank you for your patience.

Additional Site Information:M.Sullivan

Wed, 2007-11-14 14:20

That is great that AFH is doing a site visit with AMD to obtain more information! Wouldn't a better timeline have been to do these site visits prior to announcing the competition? Getting that information in mid-December, three months after the launch, doesn't allow much time for the added information to be incorporated into the design proposal. Respectfully, I would like to say this seems like a disservice to the client and a lack of courtesy to the designers entering the challenge. I am not alone in spending weeks trying to find out whether the existing buildings will be removed, and if so, do all those functions need to be accommodated in the new building. A little clarification would go a long way.

Thank you,
Matthew

Brief clarification:jksarkodie

Mon, 2007-10-22 22:05

The brief talks about a library as one of the facility requirements. How can the term 'library' be interpreted in this context, will there be book lending? Please help.

Thanks

Joe

SIDAREC website can help:james abrams

Tue, 2007-10-23 10:17

SIDAREC has already built a library at a different site, and information about their mission and program is on http://www.sidarec.org

Existing Buildings:kristin.richardson

Wed, 2007-10-24 10:17

The FAQ "Are the existing buildings part of the design?" doesn't really answer whether or not the existing buidings are to remain. The answer almost suggests razing the site and starting from scratch. However, my assumption is that the buildings are to remain, and the 'site' is the remaining area of the overall site. Clarification of this would be helpful.

area issues:jksarkodie

Thu, 2007-10-25 03:48

I'd suggest that with all existing buildings retained, there'd be no space within the 0.5 acres for two sports grounds, an amphitheatre and a 200m2 new-build facility. I think there's going to have to be some razing...

Are existing buildings to remain?:aga

Thu, 2007-11-08 22:29

Could you please clarify whether some or all of the existing buildings on the site are to remain:
Clinic, Toilets, Book Storage, Hall, Office.

Also is the wall, running along two sides of the site, to remain?

Existing Buildings:Cameron Sinclair

Wed, 2008-01-02 13:00

Since our site visit we realized that the quality of the existing buildings are so poor that it might be easier to clear the site completely. therefore it is up to the designers whether to keep the existing structures.

existing buildings program:za_alda

Sun, 2008-01-13 06:52

I've already understood that we can clean up the site and start from scratch, what I still don't understand is if we have to reconstruct the clinic or the bakery or any other structures that already exist if we take the originals down?if we do have to reconstruct these do they count for the footprint area that we have been given or are they somekind of extra? Another doubt about the program is that areas like computer training center appear first in the community components and in the administrative aswell, is it two design two different spaces, or is it written down twice for any other reason?

Thanx a lot

ASAP Site Confirmation:Andrea Moroz

Sat, 2007-11-17 13:59

Has anythihng been confirmed/sorted out about whether or not the existing buildings are to remain or will be demolished? If they are to be taken down, is the new building expected to take on the old functions as well as the new as outlined in the brief?

We realize this subject has already been brought up, but considering the deadline is approaching quickly, a clear explanation soon, is necessary to produce a meaningful design.

Thank You,

Debra and Andrea

I just heard through the:kristin.richardson

Wed, 2007-11-28 10:44

I just heard through the grapevine (a friend of a friend in a far away land happened to talk to someone, yada, yada...) that AFH has yet to confirm with SIDAREC whether or not existing buildings are to remain. AFH is not withholding information, it is just currently unavailable.

"Competition Details"?:Stephanie Sabbe

Sun, 2007-11-25 18:24

Can you please direct me to where that is on the page you have referred to? I have paid the entry fee and am assuming should have access to such a page.

Competition Details?:l8rpeace

Wed, 2007-12-05 22:59

"Competition Details" was on the main Africa Challenge page but has since disappeared on me since just a few days ago...where has it gone?

details:kristin.richardson

Thu, 2007-12-06 10:03

When logged in click on "My OAN" at the top. Then click on the project SIDAREC under 'my projects.' Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page - you'll find all the competition details.

new building confusion:orsha_1

Tue, 2007-11-27 16:59

I still a little confused. Is the proposed building supposed to use the left over space on the site. Or can we reconfigured the whole site, including the existing buildings?

What to incorporate into building:admin

Wed, 2008-01-16 13:17

Designer's choice. The client has stated they would be fine with existing buildings being torn down and incorporated into a new design.

immediate context:l8rpeace

Fri, 2007-12-07 23:46

This post is NOT about the buildings ON the site. This is about the immediate context...as I am unable to travel to the site personally prior to the end of the competition, I would like to know the general, if not specific, program of the immediate context. I know that in the general surroundings, there is an industrial area (to the southwest, I think), but what about the buildings surrounding the site? Are those all residential? Do they serve multiple purposes? Thanks...

General Surroundings:admin

Wed, 2008-01-16 13:16

In general, the surrounding buildings are residential.

Final Submission Deadline:Anna Abengowe

Tue, 2008-01-15 17:40

Can it be confirmed that the final submission dealine is February 29th 2008? Thanks.

Also, any site dimensions available yet?

Submission deadline:admin

Wed, 2008-01-16 13:13

Yes, we have moved the submission deadline to February 29th. This is to allow entrants a chance to incorporate additional information gathered from site visits.
Please see images under "Competition Details" at the bottom of your personal entry page for site information.

competition details, again...:za_alda

Thu, 2008-01-17 06:15

I've been trying to access to the competition detaisl and I just can't find it anywhere. Ive already gone to My OAN, and there is no such thing as My projects, only start a project and under this name I haven't found anything diriectign me to SIDAREC or competition details. So I would like to Know how to get there since I've paid the fee and am running out of time...
thanx a lot

competition details...:miller

Wed, 2008-01-23 15:32

Once logged in select the My OAN link. open the competitions tab. under 'active competitions' you will see the competitions you have registered for including your ID #. click on 'go to my entry' and at the bottom of the page you will find a list of competition details.

If, for some reason, nothing appears in the 'active competitions' list, please e-mail us @ challenge@architectureforhumanity.org. Please include your ID # so that we may track down your registration.

area doubts:za_alda

Sat, 2008-01-19 05:48

When you say that the total facilities footprint has an area of 240 m2 do you meen only the youth lab and library or does that include the rest of the program such as the internet cafe, the radio, all that stuff?
also if I decide to take down the existing buildings am I supposed to reconstruct them? and do I have to respect the area they already have or is it up to me to decide?

Thanx a lot

Waived Entry fee:noorsharlina ramzah

Sat, 2008-02-02 05:56

Me and my team are really interested in the challenge. We want to enter the challenge but it seems that we are having difficulties to contact AMD. We are actually architecture students from Malaysia and since Malaysia is listed in the developing nations, how can we register and have our entry fee waived? Or at least tell us how to contact the AMD and SIDAREC team to inform this matter? Please help us..

Hi!My team also had some:za_alda

Mon, 2008-02-04 03:03

Hi!

My team also had some problems contacting AMD, then we were given this email adress and we were answered quite rapidly, so hope it helps...challenge@architectureforhumanity.org

existing buildings info urgently requried:developing_countries

Fri, 2008-02-08 06:35

We are aware that the existing buildings can be knocked down, but they obviously serve a purpose currently, so we want to know if the clinic and gathering hall which are currently on site need to be replaced with new buildings if thats what we choose to do, or is there a clinic nearby so the clinic and gathering hall are no longer required? Could someone clarify this please.

We have made the same:za_alda

Sat, 2008-02-09 13:53

We have made the same question and were told that the gathering center is partly replaced by the media lab and library, but if you choose to knock it down you should add some classrooms to the project. the clinic is also to be replaced.
hope it helps

File format:theflatones

Thu, 2008-02-14 14:15

Can you please clarify what size the 'files' are to be uploaded as. I understand images must be at 3000 pixels by 5000. Does apply to the file (or sheets/pages) too??? Or must the images simply be at this size within the page.

A swift response would be much appreciated at this late stage. Thanks!

winners and more...:giusy

Tue, 2008-06-03 03:54

how can i have a look to all the entries and positions in the winning list?