I make custom furniture and other decor using mostly pallet wood, or repurposed items. If you have something you would like me to make, drop me a line.
Today we are seeing Africa's economies grow at a rate faster than ever before. Over the past 10 years, Africa has been the second fastest growing region in the world, with current estimates expected to rise. Though it is crucial to successful development, sustainable building practices have been overlooked in many of Africa's fastest growing countries. As a result, we have seen traditional construction techniques give way to those constructed of cement blocks and other important materials. The rising cost of these building materials is putting us straight on local craft and culture. We now have a unique opportunity to make this emerging need. So, how can we contribute to this growing movement of sustainable development? Our solution relies on a simple but viable building commodity, Earth. Together with the help of African non-profit organisation INCRE Foundation, we will be designing and constructing an exemplary community building on the eastern slugs of Mount Kilimanjaro using local earth building techniques. The community building's instruction will help promote the development of h The two largest issues surrounding earth construction are a perceived lack of sophistication and susceptibility to earthquakes. Tanzania sits in a solidly active area and is also one of the fastest developing countries in the world, which is why we have chosen to focus our efforts here. In 2015, having just completed our architecture degrees at Victoria University, were shortlisted for INCRE Foundation's competition to reinvent the African mana'a in order to enable us to fully complete this project. We formed Shift Design, a small collective based in Wellington, New Zealand. As it stands, around 50% of the world's population either live or work in earthen buildings. Of these 3. 5 billion people, a large percentage live in areas that are seismically active. Our goal is simple, to test, research, construct, and complete an innovative, sustainable earth building with local materials and labour, which will serve as a centre for creative people from the region to live, work, learn, and create. We will be designing and constructing this community building through a workshop format that facilitates for the collaboration and exchange of knowledge between local craftspeople, artisans, and international volunteers, allowing everyone to have an integral part in the design from start to finish. The 12-week workshop format will ensure that the design is suited to local needs, that community members feel they have a stake in the success of the project, and that knowledge of construction techniques remain in the community once the project is complete. Materials used in the community building's construction will be sourced locally, with earth extracted directly from the site uses the main building material. Structural elements and reinforcing will beautifully and clearly integrated with the building's design. This will highlight the capacity of earth, precisely stable, and safe design outcomes. The precise use of the community building will be developed through dialogue with the community members at the beginning of the workshop. An important initial function of the building will be to serve as a repository for regional and international craft and artwork. The building's function and form will result in a contemporary design that responds to local climate, community needs, and cultural heritage. This will help to improve earth construction's reputation as an attractive and suitable construction technique. It will also promote the continuation of local craft and engagement with the arts. Inconfirmation has established a site and the framework is in place for our design to be built, but it is up to us to fund this project. All funds raised will go directly towards the completion of the Cassara Arts Village. Each element of our budget is necessary to the completion of our project. To cover construction costs for the building, we need to raise $6,000. Employing local labour requires us to raise $4,000. Research, doc In order to ensure that we are on site for the duration of the project, we require $5,000 per team member. We really appreciate any support you are able to give. Help us today and together we can inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.
