Ben Feb 16 07
From Tribewanted
Contents |
Introduction
As we hopefully start to leave the wet and windy season behind over the next month, it is time to take discussions on accommodations further forward. I have put forward my thoughts to the previous chiefs to get their input first. See below.
Process:
- Discuss on forums – tribe members add ideas (16-23rd Feb)
- Sustainable Development Tikina organise key areas and any designs (16th Feb- 2nd March)
- Voting Tikina extract possible voting (23rd Feb – 2nd March)
- First Votes (2nd – 9th March)
- Action!
MAPS (with thanks to Kirsty Stark - to be uploaded in next 24 hours)
- Vorovoro Island
- Vorovoro Development Area
- Tribe Village
Building Plans
- Where
- What
- Materials
- Timescale & Budgets
BENGAZI
WHERE
- Making more use of main site. Stu’s super-shed does this nicely.
- Using beach-front beyond river opening down to caves (just past where poques was, and your garden is doug. Stu, Kimbo and I walked this the other day and we think this is prime real estate – structures would defo need to be off the ground. Stu has done some initial drawings. You could hide some great tree/raised huts/houses here so that you could still go past on the boat and know there are buildings there.
- Anything inland off-beach your going to lose the sea views and gain the mossies. If I was visiting Vorovoro I’d wanna be on the beach front
WHAT
- Simple, versatile structures – bures on ground, on stilts, tree-house style
- Use Great Bure with mezzanaine decks either end – otherwise I think this space maybe a little wasted over the 3 years. The floor area remains open for ceremonies/socials/bad whether.
- Interiors – look at making basic bed frames/fold-down platforms that we can put mattresses and sheets on. Must be able to hang mossie nets.
MATERIALS • Wondering whether we can use more local stuff rather than saw mill – as cut timber expensive. I appreciate foundations may need to be brought but could walls be more bamboo based/ how can we use drift wood, we have a lot of it? • Talk to Sustainable development Tikina about what we can use creatively on the island to build with
BUDGETS & TIMELSCALE
- Spread it over 4 months – one design, 4 buildings, one built a month – different village, different group of members, each with own style (March, April, May, June)
- If we buy in bulk we will get decent discounts
- I think we should be aiming to accommodate 30 people comfortably by end of June
CHIEF POQUES
A) We should not build in areas which can be seen from the sea, or harm any trees in the construction of Tree houses . (If you requires way to not harm I can assist in this field)
B) We should not build to much in the open clearing which has and will be used for communal use. (Games , gatherings etc).
C) We should build around 5 twin/family units in the bush along the path to the other side which should be built using natural methods. Burs on stilts and reed walls and coconut roof. ( I will send pictures and plans of the ones I am building which fit this bill) They can be built very quickly and at a low cost)
D) We should build 2 larger communal units which can house couples and singles on the same, but larger design. These can be built between the farm and the above 5 units.
E) All these can be built with independent composting toilets or can be linked into a new eco waste water system with I am looking into and have passed the contact onto Ben a Mr Bill Marston based in Fiji
F) Cost of the 5 units should be no more than FD$10,000 each
G) Cost of 2 Units should be no more than FD$20,000 each
H) Full plans on numbers on the Island and labour source over the next 4 months should be calculated.
I) All materials should be purchased in one go to attach the largest discounts. J) A on the ground project manager should be employed by the Tribe to overview the Build and work very closely with the Tikina.
As Doug has pointed out I also believe that an area should be keep for tents, so people can still have the joys of living under canvas by the sea.
Tree houses are ok, by we must choose the tree and the method very wisely.
Much Love Mr Poques
DEPUTY BADAWGY
Never being a "real" Chief, but working all of the first September on Vorovoro, I'm honored to be included for input into this discussion.
Very glad and proud to see that our Bure sneered at the winds of the hurricane. Good for us !!!!
All the area between the Great Bure, my old garden, and the beach is ideal for small bures, but it is also perfect for tents. I loved that area, and my tent location was absolutely perfect. Just far enough away for privacy and quiet, but close enough to be involved.
My opinion is that you should provide a mixture of permanent structures, small bures, etcetera, but leave room for tent sites. That area down the beach where James and Suzi pitched their tent should stay available for tents. Please don't build structures there that are visible from the boat. It is a gorgeous area to see as an unspoiled island. Any structures must be concealed in the jungle, and I think this area is too sparse to do that.
I am positive there are people that want to be isolated from other people to enjoy that feeling of being on an "uninhabited" island. I know I did, and that view of the ocean from my tent door was priceless!!!!
Simple structures as suggested, are perfect. Treehouse style is great !!!
Great Bure mezzanine decks have always been pictured in my mind. That is ideal to save space. Just make sure there is adequate, or actually, excellent ventilation. Inside rooms are useless without moving air.........
Fold down platforms with mattresses, sheets, and mosquito nets - perfect!!! The resort takes shape.....!!!!!
Bamboo walls are perfect. Cheap, durable, easy, aesthetic, local.............
Building different styles, by different groups is great. Just have some kind of controlled size and basic type so things don't get too haphazard........... Letting different groups build is ideal, people WANT to contribute. They want to have a project that they can look at and say that they helped build something useful.
CHIEF KIMBO
Camping area
Yes ˆ I think the area where wildgeeza and poques/lucy etc had there tents should remain as an area solely for tents. I suggest maybe another small bure in/around the area that is the starting point for climbing peak 1 (near the compost area ˆ which isn’t as bad as it sounds)
Another small bure?
I know Tui Mali had the idea of a line of bures, in keeping with the line of the store bure/tin shack/other small bure, but I feel this would encroach onto what is the current playing area, and would possibly spoil what is just a nice open area of greenery (wet season only!). I do think we could squeeze 1 other structure within this area though.
As good as stus super shed is, I don‚t think that area could handle anymore of that tin roofing! Stus design and functionality (adapted from the first footers) is brilliant. Maybe a bure, or structure similar to stus, but with a thatch roof in that area would be more appropriate. Does a thatch roof have to be at a certain minimum angle to disperse rainfall???
Inland
I think the area around the jetty path is a no-no (for now). I think the mozzies down there are just too much of an inconvenience, and perhaps not the best place to sleep ˆ given we have the other areas (all with better views)
Beach-front structures towards caves
The area down to the caves is ideal for a different style of accommodation. It has been mentioned that those structures that appear after the Vorovoro article in Nat Geo would be ideal for our island but we just need to choose where, and be 100% in its design and purpose. I don’t have the pictures to hand ˆ but accommodation on stilts is appealing, and I am sure we will be able to keep inline with traditional Fijian methods (style of support/thatch roof etc).
In my mind I have a great vision of some stilted structures there. Some with bamboo walls, but others, which I really like, being open sided (so basically just a raised platform), but the thatch of the roof comes low enough to make it cosy and almost discreet an open dorm area perhaps. But the platform is large enough so it can be used during the day as a hang out‚ also.
Great Bure Mezzanine
Like most people, my initial reaction was the Great Bure would look great with a mezzanine floor! If this was to happen, then I think the end nearest the kitchen should be done first. The wooden floored area in the bure at the moment is to good to possibly spoil with stair structures. But again, this is something that needs a lot of forward planning, and doing a bloody good job of. Something that looks awesome, and will stand the test of time. Though we need to be aware that not all space will be usable, given the angle of the roof. Also, with the bures own air con system, do we know what the difference is in temperature from the floor area to the possible mezzanine level. I may be wrong, but I guess it might change once you’re above the line of the windows‚ and amongst the thatch area?!? Think if we do the ground work, and get a good design, then a mezzanine floor should be near the top of the to do list‚
I do not have enough knowledge in this area, but my concern is to question the life span of the supporting structure (stilts or otherwise). Can we be 100% that concreting the posts in will prevent it from rotting/weakening in anyway. And, should we be using a certain type of wood that‚s treated? (and likely to be more expensive) I know (and enjoy) the way the locals will state ‘everythings fine‚ and it’ll be ok‚ but this project is now getting to the next critical stage, and we could do without things going wrong with the vital components to getting long term accommodation solutions on the island. The Core posts removed from the temporary tin shack did look questionable and that was after only 5 months.
I believe the area for the Œlove shack tent‚ (???) can remain as a tent area (love or otherwise), and I think Suzi‚s tent was much further along (possibly in the area where we are thinking of putting stilted accommodation?) ˆ but there is enough space to have a few stilted structures and still also leave space for those tent goers who want that privacy and view‚.
I can appreciate others thoughts on wanting structures concealed from the view of passing boats, but I think we can compromise on some being concealed and others, slightly protruding through the vegetation. But yep I think we need to double-check the flow of rainwater and possible failing rocks in that area.
Treehouses I’m unsure about and have no knowledge on! Maybe something for year 2
Also, there is a small area to the right of the path as if you were walking from the tribal dining table to Tui malis village ˆ literally about 10 steps down the path and on the right (another 10 or so steps into the vegetation) Is it possible for a bure, or open dorm (thatched) to be squeezed into here?
Materials as before, for walls I believe we could leave some accommodation open sided (but provide areas for dry storage and also a solution to the recent wet weather problems we’ve had. Ben did you mention about fold-away shutters? Or maybe removable shutters that can be quickly screwed into place (and is more aesthetic than the tin sheets we saw last weekend!) Yep drift-wood for deco is a must! Give the place a lot of character!
Reed walls were suggested in-place of the bamboo that was ordered for my renovation of the small bure. Initially I declined that option, and thought it may look poor‚ but having seen the chiefs house in Nakawaga I love the shaggy‚ look of the exterior, and internally it is so neat. (a lot neater than I ever expected looks time consuming process, but does look really good and very watertight/draft proof etc) - ben - are you able to get some pics of this for the others to see?
I think once we start to get a clearer picture of where this discussion is going I have all faith in the local workforce, though they do have the occasional tendency to go off course! Peter is a great carpenter/builder, and even better if he can work from a drawing or detailed sketch if we can manage that for this project then we’re onto a winner.
Budgets yes, maybe now is the time to start really planning ahead (and this discussion is doing that, so great!) we discuss, lets vote but we should have a clear idea of what designs could be potentially used, and at what cost, and safe in the knowledge of the longevity of such structures.
I really enjoyed the experience of putting together the lattice reed framework‚ to support the thatch on the small bure. It was a great experience, relied on local materials, but was lengthy and possibly not suitable for all of what we are discussing at the moment. I think it should be used on some structures but is there a chance we can use the chicken mesh to support the thatch as per Grahams (austpacific) car port though I can appreciate this is not very traditional‚, and materials wise at a higher cost, but labour wise, potentially cheaper.
The timescale is good, and I like the idea of spreading it out, so that by June, Vorovoro is going to be one heck of a place to be! (which it is already, but you know what I mean)
CHIEF WILDGEEZA (STU)
Drift wood - would be ok for walls. You can't even consider structural frames since it's weathering makes the wood too brittle. Walls and Deco would be ideal use though
Frames - After more thought, I think you'd get away with the use of 4"x3" for the outer corners of the houses - instead of the round beams, and 3"x2" for the inner frame parts. All of which should still be cemented in to stop the wood from weathering and rotting underground, this was noted in the tin-shack replacement of a few posts. (Ben you have my diagrams that you can scan, you should know / will be able to enlighten the others.
I'm with Doug on the tent scenario. Although I had to pack mine away due to the storm, keeping the beach area as free as possible and allowing 'a few' tents seems to be the most wanted response to the beach around the grand bure.
Stilt houses, you know my view on these Ben... They'd be awesome further along where we saw the potentials. 2 things I would want you to find out though are:
- The wood and frame being used / created is overlooked by someone who can appreciate the storms. My tin-shack redesign faired very well due to the protection of the grand bure
- That the area where you look to add the stilt houses is surveyed in land. By which I mean there's a lot of overhanging rock, and there's rock on the ground. Therefore; the rock comes down somehow. Landslides could be a possibility.. (?)
MICKI BRADSHAW, Chief to be – April
I am not sure how much I have to offer at this point but a lot of the things you brought up sound good. It would be good to have a goal of one building a month. I really like the idea of tree houses! But we need to make sure they are sturdy of course. I also belive we should have options in different areas, like the grassy area between the trees that i saw in pics as well as along the beach front as well as the mezzanine decks (realy like that!). I think all of these would appeal to different folks. I also think if we can get a discount of bamboo that would be a nice way to go but seeing as I have not Ben there yet I don't know as well as the others how feasible that is.
