Architecture for Humanity's Office - 848 Folsom Street

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more photos... | joyce engebretsen

Wed, 2009-07-08 09:20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/architectureforhumanity/sets/72157618104855...

Give Change events in San Francisco - volunteers needed | kstohr

Mon, 2008-11-24 19:53

Hi Everyone,

Architecture for Humanity is partnering with Give Change to help raise funds for school rebuilding in Haiti through a series of fun events in San Francisco. If you cannot participate in the events, you can still participate by donating money and getting deals to local shops and restaurants: www.igivechange.org. Please help spread the word via Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120698121282980 and Twitter http://twitter.com/igivechange

We're also looking for volunteers to attend Give Change events on:
// Tuesday, May 25 @Tonic
// June 9 @330 Ritch and
// June 25 @TBD

Please write to volunteer@architectureforhumanity if you are interested and enter 'Give Change' in the subject line of your email. Or call our office at 415.963.3511 and ask for Barb. Should be a blast! Let us know if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Thank you!

More Info:

GiveChange, an organization connecting charities with young
philanthropists, will be collaborating with Architecture For Humanity to raise $5000 to help build schools in Haiti. This is the first in a series of monthly fundraising projects hosted by GiveChange. $5000 will be raised in 30 days through events co-hosted with homefrys and proceeds from deals sold through www.iGiveChange.org.

GiveChange will hold a final benefit event on June 25th in San Francisco. 100% of the funds raised for this project will go to Architecture For Humanity’s initiative to rebuild schools in Haiti.

Give design services and construction funding to support the design and construction of both transitional and permanent school facilities.

Please help us make a tangible impact in Haitian re-construction by checking out Give Change sponsored events and picking up exclusive discounts at
www.iGiveChange.org.

EVENTS
GiveChange + homefry’s Game Night @Aventine
GiveChange + homefry’s Game Night @Tonic
GiveChange + homefry’s Game Night @330 Rich

RSVP & get 50% off tickets: http://igivechange.eventbrite.com
GiveChange Benefit for AFH and La Cocina
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120698121282980

Design:: Design Details Charrette on July 2, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-07-02 14:42

Architecture for Humanity

Office Space Design Charrette

July 2, 2008, 6:30PM

Welcome

Thank you to everyone for joining us tonight. We are moving along nicely with the design set and want to continue developing the details.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES

MATERIAL AND RESOURCE RESEARCH (15 minutes)

We have posted a Resource List on Google Docs. Please continue to add resources to this document, including specifications for lifts, panels, raw materials, millwork, hinges, appliances, etc.

We have finalized our materials palette and approach (hooray!)

tr>

Materials	Type/Application
Natural Wood	Veneers, Solid, Manufactured used for structure, millwork
(Blackened) Steel	Structure, hardware (exposed fasteners)
Translucent Materials	Eco-friendly, reclaimed (glass) used for panels, partitions
Opaque (Massing) Materials	Sheetrock (eco-wall product); foam core, acoustical panels
Carpet	Interface (black)
Reclaim it. Recreate it. (use one)	Car tires, street signs, sinks, tile, glossy enamels, light fixtures, etc.
Color Story:	Black/White/Natural tones
Custom Craft:	Celebrate materials by showcasing the craft. Carved, sewn, welded.

Many of you spent the last couple of weeks researching various resources for and use of materials. Lets briefly review these findings, along with revisiting our material collage boards created a few months ago, and utilize them to inform our final materials palette and design details.

DESIGN DETAIL CHARRETTE (45 minutes)

The goal for our charrette tonight is finalize our detail tectonics (ie. how we will build this thing) by breaking into teams and further defining five fun areas of the space: 1) Kitchen, 2) Display/Partition, 3) Cabinets/Built-ins, 4) Platform/Stage, 5) Phone Booth.

We’ve generated a guiding DNA to help facilitate the process of designing these details. Consider:

Reveal Structure

Structure as aesthetic
“How things are created”
Educational

Adaptability
Zen Chaos
Honesty (materials/craft)
Contrast

Natural/Artificial
Handmade/High-tech

Skin and Bones

Frame/Structure and Infill/Wrap

Collaboration

Kit of parts (system)
Hybrid Materials/Assembly

NEXT MEETINGS

Small Team Meeting: TBD by teams

Group Meeting: Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 6:30pm

Design:: Agenda for June 18, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-07-02 12:40

Architecture for Humanity

Office Space Design Charrette

June 18, 2008, 6:30PM

Welcome

Thank you to everyone for joining us tonight. Thanks to everyone’s participation we are ready to share the Design Drawing Set.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES

DESIGN DRAWING SET REVIEW (45 minutes)

The goal for this evening is to review each groups’ designs with the intention of finalizing our preliminary design set and prepare it for code review and detail drawings. Please provide a critical eye and feedback to ensure we are prepared for this next step.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES (15 minutes)

We have posted a document on Google Docs as well as Open Architecture Network that acts as our resource repository. Please add resources to this document, as we will use it when reaching out for sponsorship partners. Examples include, specifications for lifts, panels, raw materials, mill work, cabinetry, hinges, hardware, etc.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

ADA

Enlarged plans of pluming for bathroom
Enlarged detail/plans/elevations for kitchen
Lift resource for staircase
Lift for platform area

MATERIALS/SPECS

Lift
Planel
Raw Materials
Framing Material
Sheet Rock (is there another “green” resource)
Steel
Wood (Kirei)
Cork
Translucent Materials
Hinges
Doors and Hardware
Whiteboards
Foam core
Bike Racks (details)

SUB-CONTRACTORS

Framers
Furniture Makers
Mechanical/Electrical
Painters
Plummer
Sheet Rocker
IT/Technology Expert
Expeditor
Contractor

How does this fit into our material palette? What are you currently considering in your designs?

NEXT MEETINGS

Small Team Meeting: TBD by teams

Group Meeting: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 6:30pm

Fundraising Seminar:: Agenda for June 11, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-07-02 12:14

Kate Stohr will be sharing her "best practices" for reaching out to the community for in-kind support. If you are unable to attend, then please click on Sponsorship Materials listed under the
File tab.

RESCHEDULE: June 4 meeting moved to June 11 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-06-11 11:05

We are moving this meeting to June 11th due to numerous schedule conflicts.

Conference Call Notes: April 13, 2010 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-06-11 11:04

Weekly Conference Call: April 13, 2010

Atttending:

Jessica

Chris

Hayley

Joyce

Satu

Gretchen

Darren

Joseph

Meeting with Dan:

Useful meeting with Dan today

received updated information re: grading, foundation etc for updating drawings

Schedule

hope to be on site by May 3rd

Rain just kicked in - torrential rain (will determine schedule)

hoping for grading next week

soil (for bricks) transported to site end of next week

start moving other materials on site thereafter

Grading

Dan hopes that grading process will yield more soil for bricks

Dan will be on site for grading (should only take one day)

boundary dispute was resolved yesterday

may have lost a little land - will see tomorrow

will not start grading during massive rain/rain forecast

Contractor

do not have a contractor yet

hoping to have a contractor on board

meeting one on friday and scheduling several other meetings

Grading

source of revenue for council - they're happy to do this on short notice

projection: it will take one day, but willing to work for longer

cost was not including in first bill of quantities

Gifford: cost of grading should be coming out of 40K budget. Darren to confirm.

Bill of Quantities

some of Dan's quantity numbers are over-the-top

will clarify with Dan with updated drawings to see where cost difference lies

Darren already spoke to Dan about various drawing changes and he's on board -- this will bring things down to more 'normal' quantities.

Construction changes (per Darren's notes)

Columns/Piers – Dan recommends ISSB piers as per the attached the attached drawing. Re-bar to tie structure together set into a weak concrete infill. I have inspected pers which are 2 ISSBs wide and they seem excessive – Dan agrees. I don’t know what gauge of steel to use – please advise. Are you happy with this? However, sketch is not finished as steels will have to bend to tie into ring beam – not ideal – this is the same as the concrete column option.

Beams – Dan recommends a uniform ring beam 140 x 200mm – he says this is the standard dimension he recommends. He also wants to keep the party wall with column/pier and ring beam.

Foundations – subject to grading and site inspection – Dan will be present for grading so this is subject to change. Please see attached drawing.

Slab – 75mm RC slab, no screed but finished with cement water mix to give durable finish. See attached drawing. Requires formwork.

Stud Walls – Dan recommends a version of the standard stud wall (they don’t do plasterboard in Uganda). It’s the same build up as most ceilings – timber studs, battens, expanding mesh, plaster – haven’t had time to draw this yet.

Panels (above ring beam) – Dan has concern (though accepting this is the local way) about the stability of loose courses of ISSBs with nothing tieing them to the structure and without lateral stability. It can be done but he also recommended extending timber slats around the upper part of the building. As discussed, rain protection is key here.

Solar chimney – see attached sketch - 8/10/12mm ply is available – obvious answer is studding out the 2m span and fixing the ply to these studs. I will look in more detail at possible sandwich panels. However, I would like the underside to be flush but Dan had a question over unobstructed airflow so perhaps the inside to be flush – can you advise on the science here – Chris, I think this is your area of expertise?

Rainwater harvesting – Dan has developed a 10,000l tank which costs approx 1,350,000 UGX (plastic versions is twice this), I will look at what capacity we need, but good news.

Process

last round of revisions must come from Hayley and Jessica

H+J will vet changes from Ewan and team and update drawings

need drawing revisions to be signed off by local architect

do not need to submit another copy to the council - Darren to confirm

shooting for 21st for updated drawings

will re-price thereafter

contractor is providing price for labor; BT is providing for material

Joseph suggests it will take 3-4 days to get pricing from contractor

Darren

Darren staying at City Annex at the moment

moving to friend's house this evening.

ISSB Training

will bring soil back from site for strength test tomorrow

strength testing takes 28 days

training (led by Dan) will start Monday, May 17th

will start superstructure and walling 2 weeks thereafter

training set to produce 4-500 bricks per machine per day by day 4

Call Schedule CHANGE

Future calls will be postponed by 1hr:
9:30am PDT (AFH) / 12:30am EDT (George) / 7:30pm EAT (Joseph + Darren) / 5:30pm GMT (Gifford)

###

Design:: Agenda for Design Review on May 21, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-06-11 11:02

Architecture for Humanity

Office Space Design Charrette

May 21, 2008, 6:30-7:30PM

Welcome

Thank you to everyone for joining us tonight. We have a lot to cover this evening as we are coming to some conclusions with our designs.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES

DRAWING SET, MATERIAL AND RESOURCE (15 minutes)

Yes has taken the lead in pulling together the drawing set for our project and will need your groups design input so we may share our ideas with a code specialist. Lets spend some time minute reviewing any outstanding items yet to be added to our drawing set and set a deadline for getting this information to Yes for completion.

Where are we with our material palette? What are you currently considering?

DESIGN REVIEW (45 minutes)

The goal for this evening is to review each groups’ designs with the intention of finalizing our preliminary design set and prepare it for code review and detail drawings. Please provide a critical eye and feedback to ensure we are prepared for this next step.

Also, we will spend a few moments reviewing our branding material and begin to discuss how we can best represent this identity within the space and how it supports the environmental graphics and mapping of space.

NEXT MEETINGS

Small Team Meeting: TBD by teams

Group Meeting: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 6:30pm

April 5 - April 9 2010 | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-05-15 16:16

| General |

Staffing:
Additional design fellows can be hired immediately. The decision needs to be made to bring the next fellows on now or after the world cup since relocated to Cape Town between June and August will be expensive due to flight cost and housing rates.

Two graduate students from Harvard School of Design have been awarded a grant to volunteer on the Football for Hope Program. The details of their schedule are being finalized now. They are planning to assist in community design aspects of the centres.

Centre Branding:
Final package has been sent out for review

Cape Town Meeting:
A meeting between AfH San Francisco, sfw Berlin and the Cape Town studio has been scheduled for the beginning of May.

Greenfields:
AfH is still trying to coordinate a meeting with Greenfields.
AfH concerned that there will be delays with the delivery and installation of the pitches.

Yingli Solar
AfH is coordinating pitch lighting for the centres.

| Project Updates |

Kenya
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/mysa

Contractor to issue updated schedule.

AfH is working with Greenfields and sfw to coordinate the delivery of the shipping containers.

The tenders for the subbase are back and the next step is for Greenfields to issue a Letter of Intent to the contractor to avoid any delays.

Mali
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/ampjf

Contract signing scheduled for Monday.

Namibia
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/specialolympics

Contact with Emarks has been fully executed

Contractor mobilization has started this week

Rwanda
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/esperance

Design Fellow, Killian, will be in Kigali next week for a site visit and coordination with local Architect, JSmart

Local contractors will be interviewed during visit

Ghana
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/playsoccer

Schematic Design will be sent to AfH for internal review next week

AfH is coordinating a site visit with the local team

Lesotho
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/kick4life

AfH work on concept designs options for site

AfH engaging local Architect of record

March 29 - April 2 2010 | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-05-15 16:14

| General |

Staffing:
AfH can bring is recruiting additional design fellows. Additional design fellows can be hired immediately. The decision needs to be made to bring the next fellows on now or after the world cup since relocated to Cape Town between June and August will be expensive due to flight cost and housing rates.

Centre Branding:
Final package is prepared to be presented

Greenfields:
AfH coordinating meeting with Greenfields to discuss delivery and installation of pitches in Mali and Namibia.
Boards will arrive in those locations without signage. Signage will be coordinated by Design Fellows in the field.

Holiday Schedule:
Please note, several Team Members (AfH and sfw) will be out of the office next week for the Easter Holiday.

| Project Updates |

Kenya
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/mysa

Payment Certificate 01 has been issued and paid

Contractor is a week behind schedule and issuing a revised schedule. Team is looking to where the time can be made up.

Tenders for sub base were returned and a Tender analysis report issued to GF. I am still waiting for a signed Letter Of Intent to be issued by GF to selected contractorr

Mali
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/ampjf

The team is waiting for the contractor, Bengaly, to verify with his policy if more insurance is necessary

Namibia
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/specialolympics

Digital and hard copies of contract have been received by AfH SF

Contract sum will be negotiated down at start date. AfH awaiting change order to sign and return contract

Contractor able to start immediately after signed contract

Rwanda
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/esperance

Tender is expected last week of April or 1st week of May, the schedule will be updated accordingly

Ghana
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/playsoccer

Design team received CAD version of survey this week, and they are coordinating the drawings.

Lesotho
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/kick4life

A soils report is required and will be ordered once the pitch location has been finalized

Conference Call Notes: March 30, 2010 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-28 11:53

Conference Call Notes: March 30, 2010

Attendance:

Gretchen Mokry

Satu Jackson

George

Darren

Joyce

Joseph

Local Architect:

Joseph explained comments from local architect

Update on permit (local architect) – depends on local architect approval

-ring beam comment: ring beam too big, columns too large

-veranda comment: size needs to be confirmed

comments are consistent with review from Ewan (Arup) and internal review

AFH thinks we can scale back in 5-6 different areas

AFH will outline steps for this and who will do it

may fall to AFH scope (vs. Hayley and Jessica) -- TBD

Next Steps:

AFH will speak to Hayley and Jessica - will need their write-off on all changes

George working on placing engineer in the field in Uganda

Darren will be negotiator between Arup and Gifford - group revision strategy

intent: keep the essence of design and work within budget and constructiblity, and maximize delight

BOQ:

will review group comments with Good Earth Trust (Dan) and ask for 2nd version once the team has pooled comments/suggestions (Ewan, AFH, BT, Gifford)

fairly hopeful that BOQ price will come down

Elections/Political Climate:

troubles one week ago ... tension around burning of tombs. calm now.

elections are at end of the year.

elections can be very intense

may be advisable to leave country and come back after election - at certain point, but not now

Joseph lives outside Kampala

some rural areas are more troublesome (riots, etc) than urban areas (no police, communications)

will ask Darren to coordinate with Joseph and Isaac (AFH design fellow in Kenya) about AFH exit strategy, for emergencies

climate: rains on short notice - causing construction delays

Darren will email George and Joseph (and team) ideas for reducing cost

team will meet in UK next week

will request revisions to drawings for the following week

will request local architect sign-off thereafter

Conference Call

team call next week (Tuesday) - see email for details

Darren will be in UK next week Tuesday April 6 am ... leaving for Uganda on Thursday

BT will stand by to join in conversation w UK team next week

###

Design:: Agenda for Design Review on April 23, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-28 11:52

Architecture for Humanity

Office Space Design Charrette

April 23, 2008, 6:30-7:30PM

Welcome

Thank you to everyone for joining us tonight. We want to start by sharing the great news that will be receiving a financial support to begin this project. Through all of your dedication and continued design input, soon we will be able to advance this project to the next phase.

Recap from Last Week

During our last session we continued to review the teams’ design development. We have a ton of great ideas coming together and look forward to collectively carrying these concepts to a final, built space. As a point of reference, below are the existing teams working on various elements. If you haven’t already signed up for a group then please feel free to find one that works best for you.

Current Teams:

Team 1

Area: Entry (stairs bike rack), Display, Storage, Loft Spaces, Crash Pad

Team: Yes Duffy, Shaine Helsloot, Anna Hallgrims, Annessa Mattson
Tiffany Zhang

Team 2

Area: Community: Kitchen, Event, Lounge, Technology (wiring, display, etc)

Team: Elaine Uang, Michael Jones, and Damon

Team 3

Area: Workspaces, Reception, Personal Storage, Collaboration Spaces

Team: Stacy Jed, Stacy Sabraw, Breck Baird, Teri Mey, Lucas Martin, Mark Walters

Team 4

Area: Environmental Graphics & Branding, In-Kind donations, Research resources Storage

Team: Ellen Keith, Kate Stohr, Caitlin Cameron, Cameron Sinclair, Stacy Jed (support), Urban Revision (graphics)

Individual teams meet during the week we don't have whole AFH session.

TODAY’S CHARRETTE

C+L is an acronym for… (15 minutes)

We are rounding the corning of deciding the name of our space and would like to share with you our definition and solicit your feedback.

DESIGN REVIEW (45 minutes)

Similar to our last session, we are going to spend a majority of our group time reviewing every team’s design progress and identifying areas of overlap or need for maintaining visual consistency. This is also a time to share resource outlets - be it materials or construction support.

NEXT MEETINGS

Small Team Meeting: TBD by teams

Group Meeting: Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 6:30-7:30pm

Images from Design Review on April 9, 2008 (Viewable on Workspace) | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-21 19:03

Hi All:
Click on Workspace to view images from our recent Design Review on April 9th. Please take a moment to post comments and offer suggestions.

Site clearing / tender documents: March 22, 2010 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-21 19:01

Gifford sustainability engineers, Jessica Robinson and Hayley Maxwell -- part of the design team for the Nakaseeta Academy -- just returned from a 5-week stay in Uganda where they completed the project tender documents, met local partners, and oversaw initial site clearing. The team is currently reviewing the latest project cost estimates. The ISSB brick making machine has arrived on site. Design Fellow, Darren Gill will arrive in Uganda in mid April to spearhead construction efforts.

Gifford site visit diary LINK | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-21 18:32

Gifford sustainability engineers, Hayley Maxwell and Jessica Robinson, just finished a 5-week stay in Uganda to complete the tender documents, meet with local partners, and initiate the site clearing process. Check out their project diary: http://www.gifford.uk.com/about-us/uganda-project-diary/

Design:: Agenda for Design Review on March 26, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-04-21 18:28

Architecture for Humanity

Office Space Design Charrette

March 26, 2008, 6:30-7:30PM

Welcome

Thank you to everyone for joining us today and for spending the extra time last week working in groups.

Recap from Last Week

During our last session we had a great set of activities, which included reviewing the final parti, identifying teams and creating material collages. We have created four teams who will take all of our collaborative ideas and begin to design and fit them into the space. If you were not here during the last meeting and would like to join a group then feel free to let us know which group you want to join.

Current Teams:

Team 1

Area: Entry (stairs bike rack), Display, Storage, Loft Spaces, Crash Pad

Team: Yes Duffy, Shaine Helsloot, Anna Hallgrims, Annessa Mattson
Tiffany Zhang

Team 2

Area: Community: Kitchen, Event, Lounge, Technology (wiring, display, etc)

Team: Elaine Uang, Michael Jones, Damon, Melissa Mizell

Team 3

Area: Workspaces, Reception, Personal Storage, Collaboration Spaces

Team: Stacy Jed, Stacy Sabraw, Breck Baird, Teri Mey, Lucas Martin, Mark Walters

TODAY’S CHARRETTE

DESIGN REVIEW (45 minutes)

Tonight and moving forward we are going to spend a majority of our group time reviewing every team’s design progress and identifying areas of overlap or need for maintaining visual consistency. This is also a time to share resource outlets - be it materials or construction support.

NAME THAT GROUP… (15 minutes)

We have decided the office and the amazing people who occupy it needs a name to hang their Big Green Humanitarian hat on. Lets spend about fifteen minutes throwing out a few ideas to help support the efforts of Team 4.

NEXT MEETINGS

Small Team Meeting: TBD by teams

Group Meeting: Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 6:30-7:30pm

Images from Material Language Charrette (Viewable on Workspace) | Stacy Jed

Tue, 2008-03-18 23:57

Hi All:
Click on Workspace to view images from our recent Material Language charrette on March 12th. Please take a moment to post comments and offer suggestions.

Conference Call Notes: February 11, 2010 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-03-17 23:08

Football for Hope Call
Feb 11, 2010

Attending:
Mike Hueberlein (MH)
Kevin Gannon (KG)
Isaac Mugumbule (IM)
Killian Doherty (KD)
Satu Jackson (SJ)
Kimberley O’Dowd (KOD)
Tom Calhoun (TC)
Axel Stelter (AS)

Action items:

>KOD will send AFH-Youssef contract to team.
>KOD and team to work out 30% advance payment to contractor
>IM will get back to KG regarding Bobby and contract
>KG/Jan/IM – check in with Erwin (Greenfields) re: annex
>MH – check in with Greenfields re: container delivery schedule
>All: make sure all passport copies are on file with AFH HQ / research evacuation options (daily flights out of country)
>KOD to speak with Kesley/Kas re: software and bandwidth issues
>Kas to speak with sfw re: bandwidth
>KG to check with Paul Munting re: payment and arrangement on site/office
>All: OAN updates – please post weekly on specific FFH site with links on overall site
>KG (Cape Town office) to post as-built drawings for Kyalisha on CD with cover letter to city of Cape Town – give to sfw to submit to the city

Minutes:

KOD: wire payment template for Mali contractor
Can test wiring as soon as we receive banking information – MH to send info
MH: first invoice will be the advance
Steps needed in selecting a contractor?
KOD: typically, if you have 5 or 7 bids, you can throw out lowest and highest (unless you have a relationship with them.) (if you only get 2-3), then look at the contractor’s work. This was really useful in Kenya – the difference between built work and paper was significant. Then, call architect references to ask their opinion. Make sure the contractor is bonded by a reputable bank.
MH: Who makes the decision?
KOD: Design Fellow must go and see the work. Then discuss findings with KG and KOD. Provide photo documentation if possible. Then team puts forth a recommendation.
KG: Will send a checklist to include: Are they bonded? Are they including insurance? Are they qualified for tender?
Do you have a quantity surveyor that will look at it? (QS is also structural engineer - Yousef.)
MH: QS work was pro bono?
KOD: no – it is in the contract w Yousef. It is part of his contract to look at tenders.
> KOD will send AFH-Yousef contract to team.
QS work should include verifying quantities.
KG: Does Yousef have a standard protocol for making recommendations on the tender? Ask for this.
MH: Tender submittals are due on Monday, Feb 16

KG: Question of timing for payments
KOD: Payments can be expedited by setting up a wire payment template
GH: contract states that 20% will be paid up front
MH: it should be 30% so that they will start early – advance payment – delivered 2 wks after start of construction / signing of contract
1st payment would be invoiced 30 days into start of construction
Contract is signed
KOD: need an invoice for advance payment – could use contract for this
Kevin, are you ok with the 30% advance?
KG: Jan seemed comfortable with 30% advance (verbally)
MH: is expecting 3 tenders / KG: lets make sure it doesn’t turn into 2

IM: Jan requested revised tender approval form. IM just sent this to KG.
IM attached pergola/paver/building/insurance policy page to tender approval form
Revised number is: 91,793 Ksh
New document shows breakdown of how all the costs are coming in
KG: is Bobby going to re-jigger the Kenyan contract? How is the warranty supplied? (not changing annex – just changing contract to reflect inclusion of annex.)
IM: will get back to you tomorrow
KG: signing contract on Monday? Before payment, will present insurance certificates
IM: sounds great
KG: Can sign contract without insurance in place, as long as documentation is presented. Will it be signed on Monday?
IM: Will chat with Bobby tomorrow and confirm with KG

IM: forwarded Kenyan contract to Greenfield. Jan forwarded annex. IM has not heard back from Erwin (Greenfields).
KOD: IM – please call Erwin to check in on annex.
IM: Best if KG calls with Jan around. IM can join in.
MH: Greenfields is preparing the site, but hiring subs to install turf
Issue of sending containers to Mali – need to set in motion now
KOD: MH – please find out schedule for containers from Greenfields

KG: passports
Everyone – please send to AFH SF
Are both of you registered with your own countries consulate/embassy?
MH and IM: yes
KG: evacuation plan – get to embassy as quickly as possible
KOD: are there daily flights that would get you out of the country in an emergency?
MH: Air France to Paris … but this would be packed.
KOD: pick 2 daily flights that you know of –

KG: software/bandwidth issues
KOD: received verification that we are receiving 60 copies of CS4 – happening fairly quickly. This will be another download.
KG: we are download-challenged here
KOD: Kas offered to write an email / have call with sfw about bandwidth issue
To encourage sfw to buy more download space
KG: peace-meal solution is not ideal. Might need to look at big-picture solution to PB. Not just buying more space when they run out
Axel found one for an unlimited amount per month / this was presented to Jan
KD: his download did not work – he let Kelsey know
Mail is very slow – from South African shores to CT … up to 4 weeks
KOD: will consult with Kelsey and try to come up with a plan

KG: CA Logistics
Would like to review Paul Munting’s (Namibia) contract
Jonah and Munting’s drawings do not reflect DD information – drawings are very light. Changes likely to made and be issued after tender is awarded. Which means swallowing a significant change order.
Needs contract to weigh in on Munting’s bare drawings
KOD: we do have an agreement with him
His contract was signed for no fee. No other written agreement was established after that.
KG: Happy to have a conversation with Paul and offer him money
Paul will not allow Tom to work out of is office. Stacey may have a space.
KOD: Nina was part of the SD process with Paul. They have a pretty big network that may be able to recommend a space. Paul has her contact information. Paul and Nina are good friends. They stopped working together as Nina did not have time. KG: Paul is out of time. Tom is heading into field in Namibia. Meanwhile, drawing needs to be done.
IM: similar situation: has a lot of infrastructure in his own apartment. This could be recommended to Tom. The expenses were within his reimbursable monthly limit.
KOD: could one of the volunteers or Axel help produce the working drawings?
KG: yes

KG: branding the centers – Axel is working on this
KOD: could you post on OAN for AFH comment
Sent draft contract to Patrick in Rwanda – waiting for him to respond
KD: Greenfields in on board, involved, happy
Will look at costs and make revisions to it
Might spend two days/wk in their office (to help keeps costs down.)
SD is on the OAN –
KOD made a few comments on the OAN under workspace – no longer there
KOD: Could you post the coversheet on the OAN? And chance ‘disabled’ to ‘accessible’
KD: if you post a comment, could you notify us by email?

As-built drawings for Kyalisha
KOD: Verena is working on final report. Completion is scheduled for next week.
KG: final as-built drawings received today.
KOD: keep a copy in the office and send one to grassroots soccer so they have a record of their building. And send a copy to city (VPAU?) as they are the ‘owner’ of the building. The owner is the city of Cape Town. MOU with city of Cape Town was with sfw.
Suggestion: Cape Town office put on CD and write cover letter for them to pass along to contact at city. Give to Katrina and Jan to give to Michael Kraus.

MH: well
They hit water; will look at it tomorrow. This is well-digger #2 (the less expensive one)
Building Tomorrow
Hopes to get it tomorrow. Will cost $75.
This will not have to come out of reimbursable cap, but rather building costs.
FYI: next reimbursement – for passport issues – will be over the limit. KOD and MH to discuss offl

December 2009 Update...Above and Beyond | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-02-28 17:35

Our short December of 2009 started with the exciting opening ceremony for the FFH Center in Cape Town. It is easy to get lost in the little details of a project when one is constantly in the middle of it, so it was to great to see an example of a finished center – and a beautiful one at that! Not only did it allow us to see what a finished center could look like, but it brought together all of the elements of our team: Architecture for Humanity Design Leads, Project Managers and Design Fellows, all of streetfootballworld (Europe and South Africa) and each of the Center Hosts. This was especially beneficial for the Mali Center, as we were able to come together and fine tune the design before getting all of the documents ready for construction.

After Cape Town, everyone worked above and beyond their normal schedules to complete our Tender Document package before the end of December. Both AfH and SFW worked into the Christmas week (and a few of us on Christmas Eve!) to make sure the package was complete. Local consultants worked weekends to finish their drawings. AMPJF and local architect Youssouf Berthe worked together to complete the Building Permit submittal. And AMPJF started work to clean-up and level the site in preparation for the start of construction.

Despite this big push at the end of 2009, there is plenty of work to do, and plenty to look forward to, during the first month of the new year. The Tender Document package should be approved and sent to construction teams during the first week of January. Youssouf and I will then look over their submittals and credentials, and the final decisions on which teams will be working on the project will be made roughly 10 days after that. This should put the start of construction at the end of January, enshallah! I don't know about you, but I am really, really excited...

Acai Berry | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-02-28 17:33

There was a time when I was grossly overweight. At that time, I had no clue about the Acai Berry. I was fat with a negative attitude. This is when I read about the Acai Berry . I was impressed and decided to try the Acai Berry myself.
Acai Berry Advantages:
The biggest advantage of opting for this program is that it is simple and straightforward and I never had to beat around the bush to get there. All I had to do was to choose a site of my choice, place an order and get started-well it was that simple. So, I had no hesitation on starting off with this product.
The second advantage of following this program was that it is completely natural. While most weight loss programs are infected with some or other kinds of chemicals, this is one method which has been proven completely natural and free from any harmful side effects.
By taking Acai Berry on a regularly one can improve their overall body functioning and health. If you are looking for a boost to your overall structure and health, an Acai Berry Juicecan give you so much in one small supplement. You will feel noticeably better and will wonder that How all this happened in just few weeks. It has been said to be one of the most nutritious foods around. That’s why it is called as a super food .

December 5 - December 11 Capetown, Bamako, Nairobi, Windhoek, Kigali, Cape Coast | Stacy Jed

Wed, 2008-02-27 17:44

General Administration:

66 Roeland Street|Cape Town South Africa 8001

streetfootballworld: +27(0)21 462 2025

AFH: +27(0)21 462 2026

Staffing:

4 New AFH staff members scheduled for the month of January

Eugene will assist from Paarl with the transition

AFH welcomes Kevin Gannon, New Regional program manager

Centre Branding

AFH has reviewed the package internally and will send to SFW for approval

Greenfields:

Team meeting held in Cape Town on December 4th

Greenfields discussed the option of pricing the sub-base and building into one tender package

AFH reviewing the contract(s)logistics

Cape Town:

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/grassrootsoccer

Centre Opening held Saturday December 5th
Congratulations team!!!!
View photos at the link above

Mali

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/ampjf

Team will submit package for tender in the next couple weeks

AFH discussed community workshop ideas with Souadou and they have devised a plan of action for moving this forward

Pending Items:

Solar world coordination, SFW still sorting agreements, nonetheless AFH to design considering solar as an integral part of the design

AFH to devise outline for community workshop

Kenya

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/mysa

Tender Process Update:

AFH will appoint contractor by December 14th in consideration of the pricing of Pergola and Landscaping

Isaac working together with MYSA to contact potential donor companies that will contribute towards the shading device and external landscaping for the centre
Pending Items:

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was submitted to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)- APPROVAL PENDING

Namibia

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/special_olympics_namibia

Design Development submitted for approval

Outcome from FNB/SON meeting pending

AFH initiated process to get VAT waived

AFH pursuing contacts for getting the connection fee waived, SFW agreed to assist and pursue with Municipality

Greenfields sub-base revised quote, AFH forward quote to Greenfields

Rwanda

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/esperance

AfH and SFW to agree on project schedule

Land survey needed, FFH/AFH to pursue

Ghana

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/playsoccer

AFH in discussion with Joe Addo in regards to design and project role

AFH and SFW to agree on project schedule

Land Survey expected from Ministry

Images from Workspace Charrette (Viewable on Workspace) | Stacy Jed

Tue, 2008-02-26 11:35

Hi All:

Click on Workspace to view images from our recent Workstation charrette on February 13th. As we are finalizing the Parti, please take a moment to post comments and offer suggestions.

Pre-Design:: Agenda fr Workstation Charrette on February 13, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-02-18 10:55

Architecture for Humanity
Office Space Design Charrette
February 13, 2008, 6-8PM

Welcome

Lets get started with the semi-final development of our office space Parti!

Recap from Last Week

During our last session, a total of four teams participated in a sketch charrette to begin exploring design concepts that represent our shared vision as well as diagramming the overall space layout. A number of themes emerged as possible solutions to developing the space:

Consider transformable solutions for common areas through furniture and partitions
Multi-use, Multi-functional, Multi-level spaces through transformable furniture, partition and loft systems
Partitions also serve multiple functions (such as a space divider and storage or pin-up space)
Introduce low-tech technologies for thermal comfort
Imbed “displays” into space through technology and craft

Areas to Research

Last session we identified a few areas that we would further research:

Movable/Transformable space

Suspension systems

Loft spaces

Low-tech solutions

Raw materials/Salvage Resources

TODAY’S CHARRETTE

WORKSTATION CHARRETTE (1 hour)

Break into two teams and define the workstation area for AFH and tenants. What area makes the most sense to place individual workstations in terms of overall flow, natural lighting, private and collaborative space? Consider the other functions of the space and their relationship to the workstations. Use the floor plan as your base to diagram this area.

NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 6:00-8:00pm

Images from Sketch Charrettes (Viewable on Workspace) | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-02-07 00:01

Hi All:

Click on Workspace to view images from our recent sketch charrette on January 30th, and post your comments. We would especially like to hear from folks who were unable to attend as well as individuals from our global community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this weeks design charrette. Together, we generated a strong collection of ideas and spatial concepts that we will continue to develop and explore as we define our Parti.

...and a special shout-out to Caitlin, Elaine, Mark, and Ramsey for volunteering to further research examples of display systems, nomadic structures, transformable spaces, suspension systems, loft environments, and low-tech energy-efficient solutions.

Look forward to seeing everyone at our next event on Wednesday, February 13th!

October update | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-01-31 19:21

Back to save another month with updates from the people on the ground

BoQs and Tender documents completed

Thanks to the great work by the QS, the documents were completed on time and submitted to AFH & sfw for approval. Approval was obtained with a few questions which will be dealt with asap.

Tendering Phase

According to the consultants, it was best to do a Selective Tender as opposed to an Open Tender. We have now initiated the tendering process and have invited six contractors namely:

Contrawood Enterprises Building Contractors.

Rufus Prime Builders & Fabricators.

Construction Management & Consulting Services Ltd.

Gravity Contractors.

Zidar Building & General contractors.

Ken-Circle Builders.

All six contractors have expressed interest in the project and we are hoping to get back very competitive bids. Tenders will be returned on Monday 02 November 2009.

Local Authority approvals

MYSA is currently pursuing these approvals and we are assisting any way we can. We hope to have these in the month of November.

Environmental Impact Assessement (EIA) report

Thanks to the hard work of our Environmental Consultant, Dr. Omenya and his team, the report was submitted to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and we will await approval in November.

Keep those fingers crossed as we try to navigate through the approvals.
With a such progressive month of October, we can only hope for more progress in the coming month as we draw closer to the end of 2009 and the world cup year 2010 starts appearing across the horizon.

Pre-Design:: Agenda for Shared Vision Charrette on January 16, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Mon, 2008-01-21 23:15

Architecture for Humanity
Office Space Design Charrette
January 16, 2008, 6-8PM

Welcome

Lets get set for round-two of our office space design charrettes!

Recap from Last Week

After touring the space and sharing the general program, a total of five teams participated in a quick design charrette to explore the process for this project. Everyone shared a lot of great ideas, including:

Creating an overall vision/guidelines
Together develop a parti, then break out into groups
Identifying ambassadors to connect team activities
Look at the big picture: How does the space tell the stories?
Define the infrastructure and create flexibility within the space
Build public and private spaces
Identify the overall theme: What do ALL of the tenants have in common?
Engage the community
Create open flexible spaces that create synergy among the tenants
Consider ideas that bring “life” to the space: Plants, music, comfy chairs
Consider dividing space by task/program
Materials represents sustainability and/or AFH projects

Process Overview

As we prepare to “open source” the office space design, we have begun to develop a process for providing an opportunity for everyone to have a “voice”.
Although the general Programming for the space will be defined by AFH, consider your role to be both designer and client. This is just as much about being the community’s space as it is an office space.

The process will be broken into five phases: Pre-Design, Design, Budgeting, Documentation and Installation.

During the next few sessions we will continue to work as an entire group to research, explore and share ideas to define the project’s Parti. Once completed, we will then break into smaller groups to complete the design, budget and documentation. These groups will continue to research best practices and identify resources, as well as leveraging the talents of each team member. Because we will be meeting less frequently as an entire group during this time, the Open Architecture Network will be our source for sharing our progress.

Perhaps the most exciting and final phase of this project will be fabrication and installation. Together with the support of trained professionals, we will build our design! This will be a great time to get design students involved, so they can gain first-hand experience of construction.

Program Elements:
The final Programming will be sent to everyone next week, but the following areas will be addressed:

Entry (Stairs)
Environmental Graphics & Branding
Community Space
Event Space
Work Settings
Conference Rooms
Support
Kitchen
Program Areas
Display

TODAY’S CHARRETTES

VISION SESSION (1 hour)

Break into teams of 4-5 people and begin to explore and answer the following questions as they relate to the commonality of both Tenants and AFH (30 minutes):

WHO WE ARE AS A GROUP?
Our Culture
Our Image
Our Philosophy
Our Values
Who are our clients?
What is our brand?
What makes us unique from other groups?
What is the ideal workspace? And, what does it say about us to our team, our clients and our community?
What is currently working in the space? What doesn’t work?
Who can we learn from?
What resources should we research?
What will define this project as a success?
What are our objectives?
What are our challenges?

Present your results to entire group (30 minutes)

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (1 hour)

Break into NEW teams of 4-5 people and begin to brainstorm how the ideas from the vision session can translate into the space. Consider mapping out the overall floor plan, or identify one section of the space and begin to sketch out your ideas.

We will present these ideas with the entire team at end of this charrette, so have fun being creative!

NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 6:00pm

I came second... | kstohr

Mon, 2008-01-21 17:27

Hello...

It turns out I came second in the 10-12 age group...

Yay...!

Pre-Design:: Agenda for Process Charrette on January 3, 2008 | Stacy Jed

Thu, 2008-01-03 16:17

Office Space Design Charrette
January 3, 2008, 6-9PM

Today's Agenda:

Introductions /Sign Up Sheet
Space Walkthrough
Intro to the Open Architecture Network
Discuss Design Goals and Work Plan
Identify Groups/Schedule

Introduction
What’s happening at Architecture for Humanity in 2008?

Overview
Our new home is in the South of Market district of San Francisco. Located on the second floor of an old commercial building, we have nearly 5,000 square feet of open plan office space. As with everything we do, our goal is to make our new offices as open as possible to architects and designers interested in engaging communities in need and volunteering their time and their talents to those who might not otherwise be able to access their services.

The space will not only be the headquarters for AFH, but will also house a workshop, pin-up space, a community design studio, meeting rooms, exhibition space, and yes, a bar.

Our Tenants:

This is a lot of space for a small organization. So, we're sharing it. Our current tenants include:

Green Building Consulting (1-2)
GeoSherpa (1-2)
Inhabitat (1-2)
Lulan Artisans (1, drop-in)
Urban Revision (4-5)

Design Goals

Develop a space that promotes synergy among AFH, tenants and visitors)
Transform the space into a multi-functional community workspace)
Create opportunities for meaningful community and design collaboration)
Select environmentally sensitive materials and products)
Use local materials and labor where ever possible)

Open Architecture Network

We will be posting information and contacting team members through the Open Architecture Network. We're passing around a sign up sheet. If we have your email address we can add you to the project team. This will allow you to work remotely, post files, contact other team members and discuss design ideas.

What is the Open Architecture Network?
Why are we using it to support this project?
How do you log in and join the team?

Charrette Phase 1-5

PHASE 1: Define the process and desired outcome. Who are the key stakeholders, outreach plans, schedules, roles and responsibilities, and the preparation plan?

PHASE 2: Research and Conceptualize. Time to roll up our sleeves and get dirty. Over the course of a defined period of sessions, we will work collaboratively to gather information and work in small teams to design key areas of our space.

PHASE 3: “The best plans are made by many hands”. The design teams have established and defined their ideas and will then present these developments and continually revise them in response to the flow of input from participants and other teams.

PHASE 4: Solicit In-kind Donations and Sponsorships. As we identify the materials and furnishings we plan to use in the space, Architecture for Humanity will contact manufactures to seek sponsorship and donations.

PHASE 5: We will not only be designing our space…we get to build it too. Once we've finalized a design approach we will begin building out the space. Some elements may be built/installed by volunteers, other elements we will need to bid out to contractors/sub-contractors.

Next Meeting:

Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 6:00pm