OAN Report Friday 25 May 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 30th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Banda is nearing completion and will undertake snags list this Saturday;
• Works still continuing on House - windows and doors, plumbing and electrical, tiles, kitchen cabinets, steel structure for tanks etc.;
• Still plenty of small things to be done, feels close but when you start making lists its seems like there is still a lot, considering some of the items for the house are big items;

Personnel

• Haven’t had a day off in two months so leaving site to visit some game parks and see some of Kenya before I go - flights booked for 10 June, so will be handing over Banda on 8-9 une to Sauti Kuu. House may take longer, but Sauti Kuu and Architect of Record can handle the final certificate if the Contractor has not finished by 7 June;
• Looking forward to getting out of my own head for a while, although I will still be keeping an eye on the project, I hope I can put some space between me and work for a few days - my girlfriend is coming over for 10 days, which will help - we have been apart for 5 months now - too long;

Drawings

• Frustration has been my constant state as I make drawings which no-one reads - so they have to do everything twice;

Contractor

• Contractor has been quiet on the emails lately which has been a relief of some kind - I think they are just getting on with the work finally;

Material Research

• Contractor messed up his Tender by missing the doors spec - he found a supplier in Nairobi but was expecting the Client to pay an extra 100,000 Kshs (approx. 1,200USD);
• We found a supplier in Kisumu which is much closer for 1/3 of the price;

Additional

• Finishing will take a while - the attitude here is to cover up workmanship with mortar or paint whereas we are trying to get them to make it well so there is no patching and painting - it is taking a whole shirt in quality - they find messy work acceptable so I have had to watch everything - which is frustrating because I sound like a broken record a lot of the time - its always the same mistakes;
• Banda will be great when they tidy up all the edges - structurally it is finished - some rendering and painting and cleaning to finish and the electrician is installing today.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 18 May 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 29th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Contractor Deadline for 95% completion was achieved midweek - we now need to keep up the pressure to get the Works complete (Practical Completion) within the next week;
• Plumber on site and Pipe work started - Electrician on site next week;
• Still having problems with the doors supplied by the Contractor not being up to spec;
• Banda is progressing well and should be finished completely by mid next week;
• Final fit out started with Kitchen and tiles;
• Still missing window glass and doors;

Personnel

• Got the Plumber and Electrician engaged and all plumbing items selected to bring to site next week;
• Contractor and his QS keep issuing erroneous emails which do not make our job easier and is confusing the client who is overseas - we are keen to get their Contract finished but not much time and they are staling on some important items such as doors;

Drawings

• SIte Sketches and details only at this stage - setout drawings issued are not followed - there is definitely a lacking in plan reading even when it is very clear - site works require constant supervision;

Contractor

• Contractor achieved 95% completion - well done - and avoids Liquidated Damages on the Works for the last 3 weeks - Liquidated Damages are now in effect until Practical Completion;

Material Research

• Plumbing items including bathroom fittings and pump and filter are paid for to be delivered next week;

Additional

• Works will require a good final push to get them over the line - doors are a concern;
• Banda is looking good with the final finishing started - it should come together beautifully. The House may not be finished by end of next week because of the doors.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 11 May 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 28th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Banda Timbers have finally been started with the posts and tie beams being installed - it is a massive structure with huge timber members - very impressive to stand within;
• The steel plates and notched timbers are working well, with the whole structure going up very quickly and accurately;
• Floor Tiles are being started with the bedrooms and hall;
• Windows and Frames are being installed;
• Door Frames are installed but timber doors delivered to site don’t match spec;

Personnel

• Contractor missed bolts in tehir Variation and rather than accept our proposal to cover the bolts at ‘cost only’ they tried to charge us 10 times the cost - I went and purchased them myself, drilled the holes and installed them myself;
• Contractor wouldn’t give us invoices for subcontractors covered under PS and PC Sums and requested us to do it ourselves - frustrating - but we got 3 electricians and 3 plumbers on site to quote and I went to Kisumu and sourced the plumbing and the electrical items required;

Drawings

• Doing some small sketches to sort out things on site and have been doing some layout drawings for roof sheets etc;

Contractor

• Contractor is fighting us on the door specification - which is very clear - everything is a fight with this guy;
• Pushing them to get completion of 95% by next week - materials on site will mean everything can happen;

Material Research

• Made contacts in Kisumu for supply of bolts and plumbing fixtures and potentially other items - can use them for supply in future - need to sort out delivery;

Additional

• Works have been progressing well with a lot completed on site this week - Contractor delays in getting materials to site is causing problems with progress, which means that the easy terms which are in place until 15 May will expire and after which weekly penalties will take effect applicable from the date for Practical Completion;
• Realistically because the Contractor has failed to supply the site, they will not finish until late May. We need to find a way to keep the pressure on them to keep up the same pace of work.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 4 May 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 27th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Concrete Columns completed on Banda, very strong and installed exactly as instructed and set out - well done team!;
• Timber Posts started with cutting and drilling - requiring close adherence to drawings - I marked all of the post cuts and oversaw the work as there is no room for error - works completed accurately and diligently, again well done team;
• Render on high level exterior of house started and completed this week, we did a steel float on all the beam surfaces and a timber float on the high level walls - it looks great and gives the massive building form some nice balance;
• Contractor has failed to have steel plates and bolts on site - approval was given months ago for these items;
• Contractor refused to provide steel bolts which were scheduled - Variation was ludicrous - will supply and fix myself;
• Installed Steel Anchor with Alfonce - went well but Contractor has not shared the Cost as agreed and will require adjustment of the Variation;
• Contractor supplied 8mm steel Banda plates instead of 10mm and did not inform the design team or Engineer - have subsequently checked and engineer is ok with change so will adjust Variation;

Personnel

• Looking forward to getting the Contract with Nyatieko finished, all other works outstanding which we remove from the Contract can be undertaken by sub-contractor’s when they are off site;
• Looking forwards to completion as works are finishing up nicely;

Drawings

• Produced Plumbing and Electrical Tender Packages for sub-contractors and will issue at start of next week, hope to have successful Contractors on site before end of next week;

Contractor

• Contractor missed bolts on drawings and is refusing to supply even at cost - we will go to Kisumu and buy the bolts required - Contractor issued a Variation for 100,000 Kshs for the bolts with no explanation - we purchased them for under 10,000 kshs - Contractor continues to refuse to provide receipts for Variations and Provisional Sums which is making us suspicious of their accounting;
• After disputing Variations and not supplying receipts or invoices the Contractor has requested that we seek out the Plumbing Sub-Contractors and Electrical Sub-Contractors ourselves to do the work covered by the remaining Provisional Sums and Prime Cost Items;
• We have contacted 3 Electricians and 3 Plumbers to Tender on the works - and we will be Variating the associated Provisional and Prime Cost Sums from the Contract with Nyatieko;

Material Research

• Made contacts in Kisumu for supply of bolts and plumbing fixtures and potentially other items - can use them for supply in future - need to sort out delivery;

Additional

• Works have been progressing well with a lot completed on site this week - Contractor delays in getting materials to site is causing problems with progress, which means that the easy terms which are in place until 15 May will expire and after which weekly penalties will take effect applicable from the date for Practical Completion;
• Realistically because the Contractor has failed to supply the site, they will not finish until mid-late May.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 27 April 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 26th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Work Resumed and the Roof Battens were completed on Sunday;
• Steel reinforcement bar was delivered for the Banda and the resumption of the Septic Line;
• Completed the reinforcement bar shaping to fit around the plates - we planned to bed one pice in the shape of the column and fit the plate down inside the r-bar - however when we tried this the steel could not be bent in tight enough shape to fit the plate and allow cover of concrete required - so we split the r-bar into two shapes, a rectangle and a triangle and spaced them separately. We also reduced the size of the rectangle so the plate would have be be constructed within the r-bar frame and not inserted into it as we had planned;
• The Date Practical Completion was reached on Wednesday 25 April 2012 - the Contractor has defaulted, however we offered ‘easy terms’ for 3 weeks to see if they can finish before end of May;
• Steel Plates arrived on Thursday and we started assembling the column steel individually for each column - the plate had to be positioned exactly and the set-out worked well to hold it in place;
• Welder was on site on Friday and 6 columns were welded in place - four of them were cast in Concrete, the remainder were finished on Saturday;
• Chemical Anchor was delivered to site - holes to be drilled in stone for tying down roof - steel not on site for this work to be finished - roof sheets not on site till next week either;
• Combined ideas from SKY site plans to make one final plan - Ken from AfH provided technical assistance - plan to be presented at meeting on Sunday and attempt to make reed screens sample;

Personnel

• Feeling good about the work on site - the Banda is looking great and the column bases installed with such care and accuracy it means the remainder will be accurate;
• Relationship with Contractor is still not great but hope that the ‘easy terms’ will improve matters;

Drawings

• Produced Site Plan which has thumbs up from Landscape Architect Ken from AfH - to be presented to SKY at meeting on Sunday;

Contractor

• Contractor has been issuing strange reconciliations over the weekend - not in accordance with Contract - it may have impact on the works;
• Contractor likes to play the victim, but we cannot find out why as we do everything we can to get them motivated for the Works;
• Site foreman has been great recently - we have seen a real turnaround in his pro-activeness - he has started to produce weekly works schedules and have extra labour on site - really great;
• The star of the site if Alfonze - he has great technical skill and understanding - he is accurate and professional. The carpenters are like the 3 amigos - always up for a laugh;

Material Research

• Some good steel work on site this week - resolved alot of small issues as we went to come up with a really strong structure;

Additional

• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation is complete and issued, easy terms are in place until 15 May - after which weekly penalties will take effect;
• If materials get delivered to site on time - the works will proceed rapidly and we can expect completion by mid-late May.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 20 April 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 25th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Roof Construction continuing with the timber decking installation on the House Completed;
• Workers stopped work from Wednesday till Friday as had not received payment for 3-4 weeks (work resumed on Saturday);
• Met Electrician in Kisumu to go through lighting and fittings selection;
• Steel Should arrive soon to facilitate the work on the Banda - should have been here last week -Contractor is delaying works;
• Practical Completion is set for Wednesday 25 April 2012 - next week - Contractor will default;
• Roof Sheets quotation issued and processed for delivery next week;
• Undertook Design Workshop for Site and Landscape design with Sauti Kuu Youth and received back plans by end of week - overall a great exercise which I think they really enjoyed;

Personnel

• Had to but the workers food this week as they had not been paid - I would do anything to keep them onsite because I know if they leave then we would have problems with security for the unfixed materials;
• Relationship with Contractor is not great but able to use local Architect of Record to manage the issues;

Drawings

• All drawings have been issued to Contractor and all variations processed;
• Contractor will issue drawings of rainwater tank frame (pending);
• Sauti Kuu youth participated in a site design workshop and produced designs for the site;

Contractor

• Contractor has been delaying works calling foul over payments - we have however processed every claim fairly and honestly and paid money where it is due;
• Contractor is not running project well - expecting payments for works and materials not fixed or delivered on site or without providing proof of the transfer of ownership;
• All claims for extension of time were not approved as the Works had not progressed past the point where the changes or specification were affecting works;

Material Research

• Met with Electrician in Kisumu and went through light fittings and electrical layout;
• Roof Sheets specified and ready for order - Contractor to propose any Variation.

Additional

• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation is complete and issued, Practical Completion is in 5 days;
• If materials get delivered to site this week the works will proceed rapidly and we can expect completion by mid-late May.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 13 April 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 24th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Electricity is connected on site and ready for use - this will facilitate the Banda works resuming;
• Meeting on Sunday with Client, Architect of Record and Contractor - Client was able to elicit a positive change in attitude from the Contractor;
• Positive relationship with Contractor dissolved quickly by midweek when we questioned the rates they were charing for supply and fix - very unprofessional behaviour - working through it to get project back on track;
• Joists amended after the detail was rectified - Foreman didn’t understand flush finish and had to redo stitching detail;
• Foreman has not set out joists as per plan - after constant reminders and demonstrations - not sure if he is up to task;
• Contractor’s quotes for the Septic system remain too high so value of the works to be determined and the Balance of the Provisional Sum to be Variation out and an independent Contractor;
• Contractor issued Payment Claim 6 which was processed within a few days - Contractor is pleading for funds to complete the works even though they have been paid over the Works on site - this is reason for concern;
• Joists cleats have started rusting - Contractor amended by painting with oxide paint;
• Started Design Workshop for Site and Landscape design with Sauti Kuu Youth;

Personnel

• Workmanship is still an issue which requires constant supervision - its always in the back of the mind that design needs to be simpler to match the skill level - but then I think that is not how we achieve excellence - we do not compromise on quality - The Contractor needs to match our expectations - not the other way around and hopefully we will meet in the middle with an excellent (but not perfect) project;

Drawings

• All drawings have been issued to Contractor;
• Contractor will issue drawings of rainwater tank frame;

Contractor

• Contractor is not familiar with Contracts which is making it difficult to work with them;
• Contractor disputes were all sorted on Sunday meeting and a positive framework was established - this lasted 2 days;
• Contractor keeps claiming for delays but seems unable to accept that his work is slow on site which is delaying work;

Material Research

• Roofing quote received from clients Contact which would prove a better roof material than the specified sheet. Time is of essence so delay’s caused now will have consequences.

Additional

• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation is complete and issued, Practical Completion is in 12 days.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 6 April 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 23rd week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Problems on site with the Carpenters using the wrong timbers for the wall plate - they have cut some of the longer members earmarked for the House Roof - no option to replace - stitching and wall plate detail required to use smaller pieces for the spans - 6 pieces in total;
• Contractor to remove plates and use correct sizes at own expense;
• Electrician on site installed electricity meter box and KPLC Contractor on site to dig holes for Electricity Poles - Poles to be installed Saturday;
• Carpenters have set out rafters incorrectly - have to take down and redo;
• Rains have started so timber could twist if not fixing in place - pressure on foreman to supervise accurately and end delays which have seen timber sitting in rain;

Personnel

• Still seeing errors on site on simple set out and workmanship covered in architectural drawings but not implemented correctly - highlights continuing inadequate supervision of the works by the Contractor and Foreman.

Drawings

• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out has Client approval with revisions - issued;
• Lighting and Electrical set-out has Client approval with revisions - issued;
• External Servery bench detail has Client approval - issued;
• Materials and Finishes Schedule - issued.

Contractor

• Contractor issued Septic Variation which is getting closer to the true Value of the Works;
• Contractor disputing value of preliminaries and VAT claims and several other issues which is making Contract difficult to administer and work with Contractor - Meeting scheduled for Sunday in which we determine the future of our working relationship;

Material Research

• Timber is on site and requiring fixing details to overcome Contractor’s mistakes - not much experience within Kenya on timber connections and detailing - so having to rely on previous experience from Australia.

Additional

• Electricity should be connected by tomorrow - at least poles in place ready for Line connection;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation almost complete, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 30 March 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 21st and 22nd week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Returned to Site on Wednesday 28 March 2012;
• Timber has been delivered to site and covered with plastic sheet but not stacked appropriately so have instructed all timber to be organised by use and have timber spacers to allow air flow - timber ends are also to be painted with oil - have instructed that workers source some old engine oil for the purpose to avoid extra costs - its black but when applied neatly looks good.
• Chemical Anchor detail proposed to tie wall plates to stone - would have been beneficial for the design to have some Concrete columns at the corners above the wall plate to connect the timber to the stone - connecting to stone is problematic as stone is not tied to anything;
• Carpenters have set wall plate incorrectly - should be in line with wall face externally not internally - to be amended but mistakes are causing timber to become hacked and patched which is undesirable;
• Electricity line to come across neighbour's block - permission sought and given by block owner and tenant - by telephone through Sauti Kuu to take line along boundary;

Personnel

• Australia Trip was great - recharged the batteries;
• Works haven’t progressed on site since I left. The small effort made on Wednesday to the end of teh week resulted in errors - no adequate supervision of the works by the Contractor - if I am not there to check the works - mistakes are made.

Drawings

• Contractor not referring to drawings enough to ensure accuracy in the works - not using current issue of drawings - roof set out;
• Door and Window Schedule reissued with Variation;
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out has Client approval with revisions - to be issued to Contractor;
• Lighting and Electrical set-out has Client approval with revisions - to be issued to Contractor;
• External Servery bench detail has Client approval - to be issued to Contractor.
• Materials and Finishes Schedule to be updated with Suppliers information from Nairobi Visit - to be issued to Contractor.

Contractor

• Contractor not entitled to much of a claim for Payment 5 due to inconsistencies in VAT attribution;
• Contractor Variations for Consideration for roof connections to be approved and claim for extended preliminaries for Extension of Time;

Material Research

• Water filtration and pumping system requires detail - consultant to advise -pending;
• Materials and Finishes selected for the tiles, light fittings and plumbing fittings - to be issued to Contractor;
• Timber is on site and requiring fixing details

Additional

• The Client has paid to have Electricity to the site, Client has engaged a subcontractor for the connection to be started next week - guaranteed this time as has been expected for weeks;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation almost complete, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 16 March 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 20th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Quiet Week again on site - worked continue to clean stone walls, tidying Keying and mortar between stone;
• Timber expected to arrive tomorrow, on 17 March 2012;
• Date for Practical Completion extended from 15 March 2012 to 25 April 2012 - 41 days additional caused by instructions from Architect relating to revised Banda Footings details and additional timber added to order;

Personnel

• Site meeting with Client, Architect of record and Contractor was successful with discussion positive to get the Works moving back on track - key to get get power connection for Banda Works and Timber Delivery;
• Traveling to Australia next week for personal reasons. Will still be working on the project but will only be able to work via email.

Additional

• The Client has paid to have Electricity to the site, Client has engaged a subcontractor for the connection to be started - progress still pending;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation almost complete, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 9 March 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 19th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Quiet Week again on site as project is delayed by timber delivery which should be due in two weeks according to Contractor;
• Work force on site is taking this opportunity to continue to clean and point the stone on the house, this work is being undertaken with care and accuracy and the results are very encouraging - we just hope there is enough time now before timber arrives for them to do all the stone in this way including the internal walls which are the most important;
• Banda footings detail has been delayed as there has been trouble with the COntractor’s formatting of Variations - requests for clarity have been issued but Contractor is not responding promptly - additional engineering drawings required for drilling set out;

Personnel

• Nairobi trip was a success, with a good selection of materials for the Bathroom and Kitchen and associated - Clients representative will provide some items themselves for the project;
• Traveling to Australia next week for personal reasons. Will still be working on the project but will only be able to work via email.

Cont./Drawings

• Water System Sketch issued to Consultant for specification;
• Contractor has responded with Variation for Windows - to be addressed - formatted Variation is in good order but too expensive requires revision of windows for cost and for clients comments;
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out has Client approval with revisions - to be issued to Contractor;
• Lighting and Electrical set-out has Client approval with revisions - to be issued to Contractor;
• External Servery bench detail has Client approval - to be issued to Contractor.
• Materials and Finishes Schedule to be updated with Suppliers information from Nairobi Visit - to be issued to Contractor.

Contractor

• Contractor issued Payment Claim 5;
• Contractor Variations for Consideration to be responded to ASAP;

Material Research

• Water filtration and pumping system requires detail - consultant to advise;
• Materials and Finishes selected for the tiles, light fittings and plumbing fittings - to be issued to Contractor;
• Timber is still expected and will probably hold up the works - Contractor advises that will be delivered next week;
• Visited Timber mill to inspect timbers - ready for delivery as can be expected - contractor advised to store timber correctly on site while waiting to install;

Additional

• The Client has paid to have Electricity to the site, Client has engaged a subcontractor for the connection to be started next week;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation almost complete, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 2 March 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 18th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Quiet Week on site as project is delayed by timber delivery which should be due in a few weeks;
• Work force on site is taking this opportunity to clean and point the stone on the house;

Personnel

• Planning to go to Nairobi to take Client to pick materials and finishes;
• Preparation for internal room set out and schedules and design of Water Filtration System for ordering and installation.

Cont./Drawings

• Water system schedule issued by contractor but is over-designed - requires consultant to advise;
• Door and window details issued to Contractor for pricing (jamb, skirting and head details);
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out issued to Client for approval;
• External Servery bench detail Issued to Client for approval.
• Materials and Finishes Schedule to be issued for Client selection.

Contractor

• Contractor to provide details of Suppliers for Tiles, Plumbing and Light fittings;

Material Research

• Water filtration and pumping system requires detail;
• Materials and Finishes to be selected for the tiles, light fittings and plumbing fittings;
• Timber is still expected and will probably hold up the works;

Additional

• The Client is working to bring Electricity to the site, hopefully by next week there will a connection;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete on site, documentation almost complete, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 25 Feb 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 17th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Banda Walls were setout using a system of string lines and levels;
• The stone had to be constructed on a plinth to attain the correct levels and the set out was to allow for the proposed 200mmx300mm columns;
• Banda walls were constructed with a minimal mortar joint as the original construction was not accepted;

Personnel

• Personally oversaw the set out of the Banda walls using a timber frame constructed outside the line of the slab - the string line ensured that the walls are aligned correctly ready for the column detail;
• Site work has been slow but accuracy has been high. We are trying to process the Contractor’s Variation Claims but progress and negotiations has been slow.

Drawings

• Water system needs clarification;
• Door and window details issued to Contractor for pricing (jamb, skirting and head details);
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out issued to Client for approval;
• External Servery bench detail Issued to Client for approval.
• Materials and Finishes Schedule to be issued for Client selection.

Contractor

• Contractor has been working hard to provide costings of the revised details;
• On site the foreman and workers have been doing an amazing job, working hard on accuracy and quality to achieve the project goals;

Material Research

• Water filtration and pumping system requires detail;
• Materials and Finishes to be selected for the tiles, light fittings and plumbing fittings;
• Timber is still expected and will probably hold up the works;

Additional

• The Client is working to bring Electricity to the site, hopefully by next week there will a connection;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete, documentation is catching up, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 10 Feb 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 16th week of construction (revised weekly count from 18 to 16) of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Stone coursing has been continued above the R.C ring beam;
• There was an issue with the set-out as the stone was a 200mm coursing and the beam was 300mm deep, this meant we had to cut the stone - we turned the 200x400mm stone end up and shaved off 100mm and the detail looks good;
• Finishing and point work to be undertaken on the House walls to presentation or finish quality;
• The Banda Walls and excess footings have been demolished in preparation for the revised Banda details. Set out will be undertaken under supervision next week.

Personnel

• Site work has been slow as there was a delay in Stone on site. Drawings were issued for revised footing details for the Banda so work should progress quicker next week;
• There has been some light rain around which has been welcome, however it would be bad if the seasonal rains come early before the roof’s are in place.

Cont./Drawings

• Banda Footings and timber connection details were issued to the Contractor for implementation in the Works;
• Water system needs clarification;
• Door and window details underway to be issued next week (jamb, skirting and head details);
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out issued to Client for approval;
• External Servery bench detail Issued to Client for approval.

Contractor

• Contractor has pinned up current drawing set on site as requested;
• Materials have arrived on site for incorporation in the Works;
• Hope is that this is the sign of a revised enthusiasm for the works and improved attitude to managing the project.

Material Research

• Engineer has been providing some good details of the revised footings and has been experimenting with materials (like chemical bonding agents) to achieve the required stability;
• Timber is still expected and will probably hold up the works;

Additional

• There is still a very pressing requirement to bring Electricity to the site to assist in the Works. The supplier has offered a quote but it seems quite high so there has been a delay in making the connection. The Sum allowed for connecting the power in the Contract is too low for the current quote;
• There is still an immense amount of work to complete, documentation is catching up, and so work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 10 Feb 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 17th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Construction of the House R.C Ring Beams is finished with the substituted J Bolts in place and looking good. The workmanship regarding this detail from the local team has been superb considering the conditions and tools they have to work with. Their patience and diligence has been great;
• Its a pity that the formwork has let them down so much - it has deformed the edges to the beams and will require additional reshaping before the finishing can be completed;
• The stone work is continuing above the ring beam allowing for the high level clerestory windows.

Personnel

• AfH Rep. Has been away from site all week due to meetings in Nairobi with the Contractor and a visit to inspect the precut timer at the mill at Nakuru;
• Visit was also undertaken to the SIDAREC project in Nairobi completed last year by AfH.

Drawings

• Timber connection and footing details for the Banda are still with the Engineer for approval to be issued ASAP so work can resume on the Banda walls and footings;
• Water system needs clarification;
• Door and window details required (jamb, skirting and head details);
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out required;
• External Servery bench detail required.

Contractor

• Meeting with the Contractor and his QS Consultant progressed well but we failed to reach a decision on the outstanding Variations;
• The current concern is related to the Contractors approach to the Contract;
• The outstanding issues are causing the Works on site to be affected and the timeline is becoming more tense for achieving Practical Completion as per the Contract.

Material Research

• Visit to the Timber Mill in Nakuru was interesting - claims made by the Contractor that the timber is ready have not been verified;
• Some timber required was seen but it was stacked incorrectly to allow drying and over 50% of the order had not yet been cut - raising concerns over the timeline;
• Timber is generally of high quality if given chance to dry, pieces look straight and true, some cracking in larger members.

Additional

• There is a very pressing requirement to bring Electricity to the site to assist in the Works. The supplier has offered a quote but it seems quite high so there has been a delay in making the connection. The Sum allowed for connecting the power in the Contract is too low for the current quote;
• There is still an immense amount of work and documentation to complete and work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 3 Feb 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 16th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• Construction of the House R.C Ring Beams continues with major span being completed last week and curing of concrete continues;
• Construction is generally good considering the quality and quantity of the formwork supplied by the Contractor, the carpenter is having to reuse sections to complete the pour which is causing extra time;
• Site Visit on Tuesday from the Architect of Record to inspect the Works and confirm reported site issues, also to receive site report from Contractor;
• Contractor has made some changes to the concrete mix and structural steel which requires further testing by engineer, so cube samples have been taken for compression testing;
• AfH Rep. was able to assist in the concrete pour of one of the beams, lifting buckets of concrete up to the laborer who was perched on the wall and balancing using the concrete vibrator. The vibrator is a mechanically powered device used to ensure a good even pour and spread of concrete through the beam over and around the rebar steel;
• Visited Welder in the local township where substituted J-Bolts were being made, after two attempts we were satisfied that the pieces would meet the requirements of the engineer;
• Carpenter is working without tools. We have to ensure that the timber work will be undertaken with accuracy;
• Concerns over the site management - there is plenty of work to be done but no instruction or direction being given to workers - scaffolding could be constructed and the Banda walls to be demolished;
• Power will be essential for site works when the stone an concrete is finished.

Personnel

• Visit by Architect of Record (AoR), Arthur, was very welcome and helpful, to have someone on site to review and confirm the issues we have been dealing with;
• AfH Rep. will be required to travel to Nairobi this weekend to meet with the Contractor and his QS.

Drawings

• Timber roof set-out and wall sections for the House issued to Contractor on 1 Feb 2012;
• Timber connection and footing details for the Banda are still with the
• Engineer for approval to be issued ASAP so work can resume on the Banda walls and footings;
• Water system needs clarification;
• Door and window details required (jamb, skirting and head details);
• Kitchen and Bathroom set-out required;
• External Servery bench detail required.

Contractor

• The Contractor was not on site over the weekend but was there for the meeting with the AoR on Tuesday;
• Site supervision and set-out of the Works is an issue - The current standard of construction of the Banda is unacceptable and works will have to be remade at the Contractor’s expense;
• Further meeting proposed in Nairobi as Contractor unable to give full explanation for Variation totals and reasoning - Contractor’s Consultant QS to advise.

Material Research

• Contractor has provided a locally produced J-Bolt using a 1ft threaded bolt and welding Y12 bars to the base and sides to create the anchor. Works undertaken in the local welders in the small village of Alego;
• Timber is expected onsite soon to begin the roof framing. We have been trying to optimise the timber design to reduce the order quantities and waste. We have prepared detailed cutting and notching diagrams for the timber to be issued once we have engineer’s approval.

Additional

• Traveling to Nairobi for meeting by bus and Matatu - 9hrs;
• There is still an immense amount of work and documentation to complete and work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 20 Jan 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 15th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• The stone course have been completed up to the level of the ring beam and the carpenter has been forming up the timber formwork over the doors and windows and along the walls;
• We managed to reduce the amount of ring beams required and we will propose a new detail over the internal doors which will be lightweight and not require a concrete lintel;
• The site workers are forming up the reinforced steel to go inside the concrete;
• The Contractor will demolish the Banda walls and remake them with the correct coursing and pint work.

Personnel

• It was Australia Day this week on Thursday 26 January 2012, so the Design Fellow brought down some beers and some soda’s for the workers and we had a small celebration after work, as the only Australian in remote West Kenya it was a fun afternoon;
• The Contractor has been onsite and there was a very lively discussion regrading the material quantities and charges outside the Contract which have been ongoing since October 2011;
• The discussion was also about supervision, quality and accuracy of the work on-site, which the Contractor has agreed to improve;
• The works will have better supervision due to the Design Fellow being onsite daily.

Drawings

• The detail drawings and timber set-out have been completed and are with the project engineer for approval;
• The new Drawing set will be issued over the weekend or Monday 30 January 2012;
• All timber sizes and quantities have been checked with the contractors order.

Contractor

• The Contractor is on site this weekend and will be here for the whole week;
• It is very good to have him on site as he has the same eye for quality and detail that we have and imposes his will to get the work done;
• Regardless of the confrontations we are bound to have, we were able to enjoy a few beers on Australia Day, so the Contractor understands that we may have many lively discussions in the future but its not personal, just professional.

Material Research

• Timber is expected onsite sone to begin the roof framing;
• We have been trying to optimise the timber design to reduce the order quantities and waste;
• We have prepared detailed cutting and notching diagrams for the timber.

Additional

• There are some additional costs which the Contractor is claiming for the revised timber sizing and quantities;
• The slow supply of water and timber to site will result in delays;
• There is still an immense amount of work and documentation to complete and work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

OAN Report Friday 20 Jan 2012
prepared by Design Fellow Matthew Hughes

This Report is a record of the site conditions and progress during the 14th week of construction of the Sauti Kuu Banda Project.

Site

• The Site is very dry at the moment as there has been no rains for some weeks;
• However, the construction water tanks are full ready for continuing work on the stone courses which should have no delays as all of the blue/grey natural stone has been delivered;
• The House walls have been constructed up to 1m high (window sill height);
• The Banda walls have constructed completely but the standard of construction is poor and will have to be rebuilt;
• All slabs and footings for buildings and walkways are completed and there have been steel plates installed in the Banda footings ready to receive the 200x200 Timber Posts;
• The septic system is partially completed which some piping and manholes required only;
• Sauti Kuu has planted small trees around the site boundary to start vegetative screening, and some trees (jacaranda and mango etc) have been planted on-site by project partners;
• There has been a delivery of soil to one side of the site to start the farm garden.

Personnel

• There are three full time contractor staff on-site full time, including the site foreman Gilbert;
• A local workforce of up to 5 members is contracted on a daily bases depending on the work schedule to undertake the work from cutting and carrying stone, laying courses or preparing mortar;
• The Contractor was on-site on the weekend and is expected to make weekly visits from Nairobi;
• The site has a small workers building for the storage of equipment and one of the full time contractors lives onsite as a guard;
• The Design Fellow is staying at a local hotel and makes visits to site twice daily, one in the morning to ensure the work is being completed as required, and once in the evening to see if any issues have arisen and to prepare documentation to further the project works.

Drawings

• The current drawing set has led to some revisions of the material specifications for the project, specifically the timber sizes and quantities;
• As a result the Design Fellow has fully documented the project and is developing the timber construction details which will be required when the stone coursing and Concrete Ring Beam are complete.

Contractor

• The Contractor plans to be on site every week;
• The construction team continues with the work on-site, taking the stone courses up to 2400H where a reinforced ring beam will tie the walls together and provide lintels to all the doors and windows;
• Pouring is anticipated for next week;
• The site foreman has contracted a carpenter to begin formwork construction on the completed walls.

Material Research

• Timber supply remains a concern as there are no serious timber plantations in Kenya;
• This means that timber has to be specially cut and delivered and ordered early;
• Formwork timber, which is generally made from poor quality boards, is in short supply so the contractor is looking to reuse sections;
• The Banda stone work has been cleaned but as the grout lines are too thick, there is no structural stability in the walls. In the mortar, concrete is distributed by water through the sand, when courses are too large, the water leeches out of the joint with the concrete before drying, when they are small, the concrete dries quickly before leeching and forms a stronger connection.

Additional

• There are some additional costs which the Contractor is claiming for the revised timber sizing and quantities;
• The slow supply of water and timber to site will result in delays;
• There is still an immense amount of work and documentation to complete and work will need to be proceeding quickly and efficiently to meet the date for Practical Completion.

End of Document.

The construction is generally proceeding smoothly. The foundation stage is almost completed. The last 2 weeks have involved; filling the foundations; preparations for casting the slabs; and excavation and foundations for the pathway.

This report will be divided into 2 parts:

1. Week from 31th October- 5th November
1.1 Filling foundations

2. Week 7th – 12th November
2.1 Filling foundations
2.2 Topography/surveying of levels
2.3 Excavation & foundations for the Pathway
2.4 Preparation for casting the slabs
2.5 Inspection visit at Nakuru sawmill
2.6 Ordering the stone at the quarry, Thika road

1. Week from 31th October- 5th November
1.1 Filling foundations
This week was quite slow. We took the whole week for filling the foundations at the house and the banda due to weather conditions. 4 weeks of heavy rain meant the truck for delivering the stones got stuck several times and took 3 days to arrive at the site. Please take note that the road from Siaya to Kagelo is under construction presently and is very muddy making access to the site difficult.

2. Week 7th – 12th November
2.1 Filling foundation
This week we finished filling the foundations and compressing the soil.

2.2 Topographic for level
I ‘borrowed’ a topographer employed on the topographic survey for the new road in Kogelo. He undertook the survey of the site (free of charge!) and found the banda to be only 0.28cm higher than the house. We will therefore need only 2 steps in the connecting pathway.

2.3 Excavation & foundations for the Pathway
Having confirmed the difference in levels between the banda and the house we proceeded with the excavation and the foundations for the pathway.

2.4 Preparation for casting the slabs
Having received all materials for casting the slab we started cutting the wood to frame the foundations and laid the wire mesh. On Thursday 10th we hired a cement mixer. The supplier forgot to bring the rather essential vibrator for agitating the concrete and I had to once again go begging to our road building friends in order to acquire one for the day! Unfortunately the casting process was completed only at the house as the contractor ran out of materials for the banda the following day. The banda slab will be cast next Thursday 17th November.

2.5 Inspection visit at Nakuru sawmill
On the 10th November I went to Nakuro sawmill to see how the wood order is proceeding. All the pieces have already been cut but the wood is still very wet. The wood cutters have also been struggling to work in the forest because of the strong rains of the last month. The wood needs to dry for at least one month more and the delivery will not be on site until the second week of December. Please take note that this factor will considerably slow the progress of the banda’s construction.

2.6 Ordering the stone at the quarry, Thika road
On 11th November the contractor and I we went to many different quarries around Thika road to find stone to match the client’s preference. After visiting 4 quarries we found a harder yellow stone more suitable for construction. We placed an order for 4,000 pieces. This will be delivered in several trucks from Tuesday and should be on site by Friday 18th November.

The construction is generally proceeding smoothly. The excavation stage was completed on the 22nd October. This past week we have been working on reinforcing and filling the footings.

This report will be divided into 4 parts:

1.Choosing materials
2.Ongoing construction
3.Next week’s construction

1.Choosing materials

1.1 Stone
On 24th October Joseph and I went to 3 different quarries. The quarries are located in Thika, 2 hours north-west of Nairobi. We looked at 6 different types of stone. We decided to go for a hard grey colour for the house and a yellow colour for the Banda. All the samples are on site awaiting approval by the client on Monday 31st October after which we will proceed with the order.

1.2 Wood
On 18th October Joseph and I went to Nakuru, 3 hours north-west of Nairobi to order timber for the columns and roof structure for the house and Banda. This sawmill is one of the biggest in Kenya. Prices are a bit higher compared with other sawmills in the area but the quality and treatment is significantly better. They are also the only ones who can provide the specific dimensions needed for the columns of the Banda and the rafters of both roof structures.

2. Ongoing construction
On 24th-25th October we started the reinforcement, and the preparation for filling, the footings. On 26th we filled footings in both facilities. On 28th-29th we start laying foundation stones in both buildings.

3. Next week’s construction and changes in the original structural plans
Next week we will finish laying the foundation stones.
We have also discussed with the project engineer the possibility of using steel plates to anchor the banda columns. We believe this will save considerable construction time as it will avoid having to wait an additional 3 weeks for timber delivery. An extra cost of 82,000 KES would therefore be incurred which must be approved by T.Luke Young and Gretchen Morky, before we go ahead.

Between Jun 15th and July 1st we were working on amending the architectural plans in consultation with the client.

In July we started putting together the BoQ and the tender package for the project.

The bidding process took place between 1st August and 17th August with the opening of tender applications at Ion Design’s office. After receiving all the bids and making a thorough analysis we met with Arthur (Architect of Record), Gyavira (Quantity Surveyor), Marvin (representative of the client) and Gretchen Morky. We chose 2 potential candidates out of the 5 bidders, Quantametris and Nyatieko. We had several meetings with both contractors and decided to go with Nyatieko who demonstrated a better understanding of the design and unique experience in the installation of rain water filter systems.

On the 4th October Sauti Kuu Foundation (AfH partner) signed the letter of intent with Nyatieko followed on the 12th October with the signing of the contract with Nyatieko.

The ground breaking took place on 15th October (see pictures in the slide show).

We are now at the end of the first week of construction and are almost finished with the excavation stage. We are in the process of selecting the stone for the walls. The wood for the roof structure for the Banda and the house has now been ordered for delivery on Friday 18th November.