quarterly magazine studio placemakers 2016 / 1
DESCRIPTION
placemaking , Senegal, Africa, hands on urban design, urban acupunctureTRANSCRIPT
public
PLACES
FIRST QUARTER 2016
MAKING
5Design primary school
22Stadium Gandiole
4Acknowledgements
Cover photo
Derk Sloot came driving down to Senegal and the Gambia. Before leaving he collected tools for our projects. This picture was taken to show our appreciation to the former tool owners.
Upcoming project: the central market26
24Redoing the sails at the fi shmarket
Making Public Places - First quarter 2016
2
1014 With Yene
Blog January - February 2016
20 Neighbours and neccessities
11 Tires and mudBlog December 2015
Tires, mud, exceptionally great people from all over the world and promising spin-off in Yene. The main activity of the past quarter year was by far the construction of the Studio Placemakers Homebase.
Homebase Studio Placemakers
Welcome
We proudly present our fi rst quarterly digital magazine! In the following pages you can take a tour along recent and upcoming projects. Enjoy it in any way you like. A reader to join us on our journey through the struggles and joys of working in Senegal. A picture book to scroll through. Or a leafl et to pass on to anyone interested. But most of all it is a big thank you to all the people and organisations that make it possible!
3
Studio Placemakers thanks:
The Dutch foundation Making Public Places is
the formal platform of Studio Placemakers
Commune de Yène
We recently started our
ongoing crowdfunding in
the Netherlands. Already
120 ‘mogelijkmakers’
support our work with a
monthly contribution.
Typisch Jij sells second
hand clothing and more. If
you bring in clothes 20%
of the profi t goes to Studio
Placemakers.
Aide Gandiole has
commissioned us to
design several public place
projects in the village of
Gandiole, Senegal.
Several people have made
personal contributions
or collected money in
creative ways and donated
it to us.
• Dutch Embassy Dakar
• Stimuleringsfonds
Creatieve Industrie
We will receive fi nancing
from the municipality of
Yene. The local foundation
Pencum Dialaw is being
set up and working on
detailed (budget) plans.
The Lions Club in Beilen
is the main sponsor of our
upcoming project at the
central market.
We are honoured to be
one of the fi rst projects
supported by One to Share.
We wish them success
with their innovative
concept.
Work In Progress
Our Ambassadors
mogelijkmakers
4
Aide Gandiole wishes to develop the primary school in Pilot-Gandiole (North Senegal) into a model school. We are asked to make designs for their upcoming projects. To determine the looks and locations we involve the staff in imagining
the near and far future. This results in a plan on how the school can expand now and in the upcoming decades. It also shapes the designs we make for a principal’s offi ce with adjoining classroom and the repainting of the existing
buildings. Both projects have been realised recently, we will drive up there soon and take (good) pictures.
entrance
ROAD
optional future functions
existing
new
administration building
sports fi eld
new classroom 2015
future classrooms
construction allows for building two classrooms on the fi rst fl oor
Ecole pilotte
5
Co-designing
During several visits we spoke to the principal and teachers to discuss the placement of the principal’s offi ce and new classroom, the sports fi eld, green zones and future growth. A map of the current situation was used together with movable pieces of paper to represent all these features. The pros and cons were discussed for the many different possibilities offering a large amount of input for a placement proposal and phasing on how the school can expand.
6
Teachers is
discussing our discussing our discussing our
proposalsproposalsproposals
The existing
classrooms
Looking
at class
overviews in
the directors
current ‘offi ce’
7
North Elevation East Elevation(cutting through new classroom)
South Elevation(cutting through new classroom)
West Elevation
Plan
Plan and Elevations | A3Project: Administration building école primaire Pilote
Gandiol | Senegal
Designed by: Studio PlacemakersYène Kao | Senegal
Scale:Date: 28-04-2015
1:50
Painting the classrooms
Aide Gandiole wants to create a new
look for the school by repainting the
front sides of the classrooms. They ask
us to make a design that is cheerful and
unique. Also, it should be possible for
a good local painter to realise without
supervision. To fi nd inspiration we talk
to the staff to grasp what they are proud
of, what makes up the local identity and
what is seen as beautiful.
The colours and shapes create a
continuity that pulls together the
fragmented styles of the different
buildings. To help the painter every
line is straight between a specifi c
starting and fi nishing point. The colours
are chosen to refl ect the natural
surroundings. Creating meaning and
allowing for bright colours while still
blending in with the environment.
Yellow is the sand which is everywhere
in Gandiole, it is also the sun. Because
the village is surrounded by seasonal
salty lakes there is not much green, the
school has trees and these are highly
appreciated. Blue is the sea just around
the corner and matches the sky. Light
brown and white are already present
and are blended into the design, they
continue on the unpainted parts of the
buildings
8
Principal’s offi ce
The principal has no real offi ce, with
the materials available he has made a
working space which functions during
the long dry season. Files are stored
in classrooms, when it rains he also
works there. To make a design for the
offi ce we talk about his daily activities,
important moments and role as
principal.
First Floor | A3 REVISEDProject: Administration building école primaire Pilote
Gandiol | Senegal
Designed by: Studio PlacemakersYène Kao | Senegal
Scale:Date: 15-06-2015
1:25
5300
200 8402755.8
150 1350 200
1000
200 830 320
180
1660
150
830
180
2820
1100
1780
120
630
840
110
1290
120
1290
11101040
classroom
The offi ce overlooks the entire school
including the main entrance. All
furniture is built in, there is space for
guests and the backside of the offi ce
is used for storage. The ‘umbrella roof’
creates a cooler inside climate. The
second roof shades the interior roof
and the tilted angle creates air fl ow. The
adjoining classroom will be ‘standard’,
but the design allows for defi ning the
placement, connection and some visual
continuity in details.
9
HomebaseStudio
Placemakers
12 With YeneBlog January - February 2016
18 Neighbours and neccessities
9 Tires and mudBlog December 2015
10
So much has happened in one month’s time
that this is an exceptionally long blog.
Please forgive us and enjoy.
At the end of November the two of us are
back together in Yene after a long stay in the
Netherlands. Roos has already been in Senegal
for a month. She has been preparing the
projects for 2016 and getting everything ready
for building our home-office-workshop. As Studio
Placemakers this will be our biggest project:
more people involved, more building time and
more expenses (around €10.000). Let’s go!
We would like to introduce you to our great
five-man local team. In short: Aziz, Wuz,
Mamadou, Mam Gour and Medoun. Each of
them stand out in their own way. They will
learn and build with us from start to finish. The
new skills they learn could lead to other work
and will be valuable for our future projects.
3000 Ecomen have pioneered building with
old car tires in Senegal and Morocco. To build
the foundation they give a weeklong workshop
to our team and us. During the week we
are trained as we work and get a large part
of the foundation done. The building site
immediately gets a lot of attention. Nobody in
Yene has ever seen anything like this before.
While the local team continue stacking tires the ‘cob
crew’ arrives in Yene a week before the workshop
starts. We are six in total (us included), a coincidental
mix that makes an amazing team. Together we
will host a monthlong workshop led by Claudine
Desiree. Eight Senegalese and nine international
students will learn all aspects of cob (earth-sand-
straw) by building a large part of our house. With
only a week to make sure they can all build, learn,
eat, sleep and be happy... we get straight to work.
Our joined effort pays off when one by one the
foreign participants arrive. Their enthusiasm and
appreciation makes up for all the frustrations that
are part of working with a deadline in Senegal.
They each chose to learn cob for reasons
connected to their larger ambitions in life, making
this possible is special. Besides learning cob this
experience is also about discovering ‘Africa’. Most
of them have been to this part of the world before.
The first days of the workshop we realise what
we are up to. More than twenty people on a
construction site learning new skills in the hot sun.
Chaotic, cheerful and sweaty! If the tires didn’t
already catch everyone’s attention, this surely does.
TIRES AND MUDEND 2015
11
While we work on the foundations and
fl oors we are surrounded by curiosity.
So much that we decide to have a local
‘communicator’ to give explanations.
The second week it is time to cob!
Imagine: men and women of all age
groups and origins stomping their feet
in the mud. The fun of building with
earth and the unique feeling of working
together beyond cultural differences
is felt by everyone. In a strange
way, it seems ultimately logical. The
construction site continues to be a
showcase for all who pass by. “Amun
ciment?” “Yes, no cement at all.”
They knock against the rockhard wall
and shake their head in amazement.
Building with cob is often promoted
for being ecological and cheap. In
Yene the economic benefi t has a
large social bonus. Using cob means
low material costs and much more
labour, this turns around the economic
dimensions of construction. What if
every new building would create two
or three times more work? This creates
employment and the money circulates
locally, unlike purchasing cement and
steel. Also, those with little money
can build slowly themselves, the long
rainless season is perfect for this.
Back to the reality of having a
construction site and workshop
simultaneously. Sand is nearly fi nished,
how about the water? We need more
buckets too. Lunch is late again.
Whoops, no, that should be there.
Drinking water or building water? Both
fi nished, ok... Yes, we will go there
tomorrow, do you need anything else?
Hello sir, thank you for visiting, I’ll be
with you in a minute. If the doorframes
are not ready tomorrow what will we
do? Continue the fl oors while we wait...
However hectic and tiring, we are
energised by all the dedicated students
and the knowledge that this project
is showing what is possible with
local capital. Hard work, old tires and
earth can build a home. In Yene we
are doing this with around 40 hands
and feet at a time and speaking
to each other in seven languages.
Thank you 3000 Ecoman for
building the foundation with us!
Coincidently, we
will celebrate
Mohammed’s
day of birth only
one day before
Christmas. We are
in good company
for this brotherly
twist of fate. We
wonder with who
we will be next
time this happens.
And what it will
be like here in 36
years?
12
Group meals are an important part of Group meals are an important part of Group meals are an important part of
the workshop. Lunch is the big meal the workshop. Lunch is the big meal the workshop. Lunch is the big meal
with around 25 people. The family with around 25 people. The family with around 25 people. The family
Gueye prepares lunch and dinner, Gueye prepares lunch and dinner, Gueye prepares lunch and dinner,
in the morning our great German in the morning our great German in the morning our great German
volunteer Sissy makes the best volunteer Sissy makes the best volunteer Sissy makes the best
scrambled eggs and porridges. scrambled eggs and porridges. scrambled eggs and porridges.
Mixing cob is done with Mixing cob is done with
your feet, it’s like a dance.
The interior foundations are
made with local stones and
cement.
13
14
WITH YENESTART 2016
New Years Eve is also the farewell party of
the cob workshop. After a month of learning
and building together everyone is thankful,
physically tired and sad it’s over. It’s hard
to sum up this very valuable monthlong
experience. Especially having heard the
personal stories of both the local and
international participants. You simply had to
be part of it. Thank you everyone involved!
Jerejef!!
Not anytime soon! But one day we hope to
organise a long creative workshop with people
from Yene and abroad again. First ideas?
How about creating a multifunctional park in
December 2018... Not yet a plan, but we are
open to inscriptions.
Being back in Yene for some time now, what
stands out most about living here is how people
are a community. Niofar, as they say: we are
together. It is embedded in each and everyone’s
identity and defines the way life is lived. As we
stayed in Yene longer this sense of community
has also been extended towards us. Experiencing
this shift made us confident we want to live here
and can live here. We are now actually building
our home and we notice this changes the way
people perceive us. We are taking a step up on
the ‘ladder of niofar’, you could say. We don’t live
in Yene anymore, but with Yene.
Two of the most valuable people to us are
Aziz Thiom and Ousseynou Ba. Aziz can
communicate, organise, transport and fix
anything, Wuz can build anything. Even more
important, they are examples to us of how good
character goes a long way, it makes the community
lift you up. We are happy to have them on our
local five-man team who have been working with
us since the foundation. After the monthlong cob
workshop we continue building.
We are extremely lucky with another most valuable
person on our side. Oliver Goshey came to Yene as
assistant for the cob workshop and decided to stay
until the building is finished. He is leading the local
team building upon the skills learned during the
workshop. Oliver is there full-time, so we can focus
on the roof, doors and preparing and organising
everything needed to keep on building. As much as
possible we make time to do other important work.
The cob workshop was an all-in rollercoaster ride,
so there is a lot to catch up with.
The walls go up, the roof grows, the walls are
plastered, the doors installed and it is really starting
to look like a home. By then it is the end of January
and we have to move in. Even though we are
living between a storage on a construction site it
is amazing to spend our whole days and nights in
a surrounding we have designed and constructed.
As the building took shape there was always a
constant flow of (regular) visitors. Now that they
have a better picture of the end result we receive
generous amounts of compliments and blessings.
We have shown that we are capable of a building
project like this. Like us, they look forward to what
else is possible.
15
Cob is perfect to shape features and integrate other mate- Cob is perfect to shape features and integrate other mate- Cob is perfect to shape features and integrate other mate-
rials. (Tires are used as scaffolding when the walls get high)rials. (Tires are used as scaffolding when the walls get high)rials. (Tires are used as scaffolding when the walls get high)
Plumbing and electricity is integrated into the wallsPlumbing and electricity is integrated into the wallsPlumbing and electricity is integrated into the walls
16
Making concrete slabs for the kitchen counter Making concrete slabs for the kitchen counter
The counter is fi nished with white cement and The counter is fi nished with white cement and
epoxy (there are limits to natural building).epoxy (there are limits to natural building).
Sand, soil and horse poop are sifted for Sand, soil and horse poop are sifted for Sand, soil and horse poop are sifted for
the fi ne plaster layerthe fi ne plaster layerthe fi ne plaster layer
Applying the plasters Applying the plasters Applying the plasters
The upper roof is an The upper roof is an The upper roof is an
independent structure made independent structure made independent structure made
of steel and durable ‘aluzinc’ of steel and durable ‘aluzinc’ of steel and durable ‘aluzinc’
sheets. When it is done a sheets. When it is done a sheets. When it is done a
translucent plastic roof will be
placed as lower roof on the
building. 17
18
SPIN OFFMaybe even more important than the results, to us, is the spin-off of our
projects. Showing what is possible is already inspiring, time will have to
tell how many people follow this example. Many local people have shown
an interest in building with cob, either for a whole house or simply an extra
room. Our local team hopes to have a new source of work and they are even
making plans to become a company. In this country it is easy to have big
plans but much harder to follow them up consistently. We are curious and
hope they succeed.
Aziz Thiom is part of the team and he asked how to use cob as a second
fl oor on his roof. We knew he was serious when only a few days later he
ordered sand and bought straw. Since then he has been making the walls
higher every weekend with family and friends. We asked him several times
how he will do the roof, knowing his budget is small. “I’ll sort it out,” kept
being his response. He organised his wood, a left over piece here and a
found piece there. He will thatch it himself with local straw. It will not win
a beauty contest, but it works! Total costs will be around €300 for a room
with small bathroom.
More than we can ever be, Aziz is a local inspiration showing that it is
possible to build with natural materials. Soon he will have a place to be away
from the bustling family life downstairs, with fi ve kids himself, his brothers
family and always people from here and there. And in Yene there are many
empty rooftops, with people wishing to expand their living space.
To be continued...
Neighbouring kids Neighbouring kids
start to use cob to make
miniature castles
Aziz stamping COB
with his kids
19
NEIGHBOURS AND NECCESSITIES
PANORAMA
FAM. DIOUFWATER
SUPPLY
FAM. GUEYE STORAGE
FAM. CISSEELECTRICITY
30M.
our plot
20
In our most recent blog we write
about the concept of niofar: we are
together. A very practical side of this
is helping each other out. Before
building, our nearest neighbours
have all offered to be there in case we
need anything.
Getting official water and electricity
connections can be very expensive,
especially when you are presumed to
have money (drive a 4x4 and/or have
light skin). This is a notorious problem
driving many people beyond frustration.
Luckily there are unofficial ways to be
connected, you talk to your neighbours
and together you fix it Senegalaisement.
The family Cissé live closest to us and
have electricity. We will not need it until
we build the roof, but we discuss the
situation well in advance. Mr. Cissé is
old but surely still head of the family.
He is glad to help out and the next day
we are measuring the shortest route to
run a cable. We are still a bit concerned
about this being illegal. “Ask anybody
around, the name Cissé is respected
here. Nobody will ever fine you or me.”
The nearest house with a water
connection is the family Diouf. We
hadn’t met yet but they have heard
about us and seen our projects. At first
they are surprised we (as toubabs) can’t
afford the official water or a well (around
€900 and €1500). When we explain our
plans and budget restrictions they are
happy to let us install a pipe from their
house. “For as long as you need, don’t
worry.”
The family Gueye lives to the other side
of our house. Before we start building
they offer us their enclosed garden to
store our tools and materials during
the night. That would be very useful!
As the project develops the three
wheelbarrows start overflowing with
buckets, spades and other tools. We
excuse ourselves to Mr. Gueye but
apologies are not accepted. “I said you
could use the garden, didn’t I? By the
way, I heard you are storing the wood
at your rented house, why didn’t you
put it here?” Interesting... you come to
say sorry for taking too much and leave
feeling bad about not fully taking the
help offered. So the next day we move
part of the wood to the garden and also
ask if we could store the steel for the
roof which is coming soon. “Of course”,
followed by a meaningful nod that we
got the message: niofar. “As long as we
can reach the water well it’s fine, I know
what it’s like to build.” In the already full
garden he shows where we can make
room for the 6 meter lengths of steel
and points out other spaces we could
still use.
A cynic might say our neighbours are
smart and help out of self-interest. Of
course, we will help back. Over the long
run there is a win-win for everyone.
That is not self-interest but community.
Knowing the difficulties many people
have building in Senegal we are
fortunate. Sure, we have our frustration
and set-backs, but we are moving along
with the help of many.
The family Cissé was the first to move to this area more than twenty years
ago, when everyone still lived close to the sea. Parts of the hillside had been
cleared for mango trees and planting millet or peanuts in the rainy season.
But nobody lived there, it was dangerous. The family Cissé were pioneers
on ‘the other side of the road’. They were kept company by the monkeys at
day and the hyenas at night. Over the years the original village grew and got
stuck in between the road and the sea. Slowly but steadily, from the road
up, the family Cissé saw the hillside become a new neighbourhood. Hyenas
have not been sighted for a long time, the monkeys have moved away and
only pass by in the rainy season looking for ripe mango’s on the trees that
are still standing. This is only the beginning, Mr. Cissé knows. “In ten years
it’s full here, there are more new construction sites every year.” Going up
to the top of the softly sloping hill the foundations, walls and (half) finished
buildings scatter out gradually until there are none. Looking down there is a
wave coming.
google earth 2003 google earth 2016
Mr. CisseMr. Cisse
our plot
21
Design tribune
VIP seats
2 X 200 ‘seats’
Stadium GandiolStadium Gandiol
location. We are asked to make a design
that fi ts all requirements and wishes.
The stadium will be built in 2016/17.
A surrounding stadium wall and
fence around the fi eld are standard.
Most of the crowd stands around the
fence, offering at least 1000 people
a good view. The tribune hosts 400
spectators, including a VIP area (a must
in Senegal!). The roof gives shade in
the afternoon when most matches are
Very often proper sports facilities are
lacking. For local teams to compete
in the regional football competition
they need to have an ‘offi cial’ stadium.
This is also the case in Gandiol (North
Senegal). Over the years Aide Gandiole
has built up a relationship with the
different local teams and worked
towards the realisation of a common
stadium. After a long process the
local government appointed a suitable
Senegal is a country of sports. It is hard to underestimate the importance of football and lute, an immensely popular wrestling style. Late afternoons both sports are practised on any open space somewhat allowing for it. Every day this radiates a positive and active energy, it is one of Senegal’s strengths.
played. Under the tribune there are two
dressing rooms and a toilet, something
exceptional for stadiums this size. The
outside wall will be fi nished with a
durable rough cement called terroyen,
mixed with local pigments. The name
of the stadium will be made with big
letters that are recessed in the terroyen.
We propose to work with 3000 Ecomen
to build all foundations with tires. This
22
Design tribune
VIP seats
2 X 200 ‘seats’
5800
13000
2200
650
6700
4000
600
400
2000
600
2300
2300
Section tribune 1:100
Detail of letter recessed in terroyen.
can be a community project involving
the football teams and schools. It is
a lot of work, but it’s also cheaper
and it saves a lot of cement. The tires
can be fi lled up with plastic garbage
that is now scattered all around the
surrounding area.
23
A multitude of daily activities make
the fish market of Yene Kao a central
place of the community. There is a
little building where both the men and
women work, it is crowded. At the end
of 2014 we made plans with the women
to improve their working conditions.
We reclaimed a garbage dump area
next to the crowded building to create
a new shaded place. According to the
women it was “too beautiful to do dirty
work”. Over time the men moved out
of the building and now use the new
place as office and meeting room for
their work as traders of exportable
marine products. Not the plan, but all
the same, everyone has more shaded
space to work. The men keep the area
tidy and regularly water the tree and
plants.
After a year the original shade sails
made with rice bags have deteriorated.
It was an experiment with cheap local
material. We had hoped it would last
longer, but the constant sunlight and
sea breeze do there work quickly. We
make use of the opportunity to have
bigger sails offering more shade. This is
highly appreciated given all the current
‘group office’ activity.
UPGRADING THE FISH MARKET
project 2014 project planned for 2016
We buy second-hand truck tarp in Dakar and get it made into
sails on the spot. 24
The upgrading of the worn down
fish market building where the
women work is planned for 2016
current situation
impression new situation
The new sails are installed using the suspended ropes still there
25
THE MARKETThe market area of Yene is an example of
uninformed development aid. Currently it is underutilised and unattractive. However, with
the growth of Yene it has great potential to become a true central market: a lively place
fi lled with commercial and social activity. The future is now, so let’s start placemaking…
26
1.
2.
1.
3.
3.
2.
Around ten years ago international
funding was given to the Senegalese
government to create and improve
market places. In some towns the right
location was chosen and the design
met local demands. These markets
are succesful. But much too often the
new buildings were never used or have
been abandoned. If the market already
existed as place it often continued
as before but now around an empty
building or just in front along the road.
In Yene the outcome is mixed. There
was already an old market building being
actively used. Next to it rows of small
shops were added and a surrounding
wall was built to create a large market
area. At the moment only the old main
building is in use. All the small shops
are closed and the market area is
completely empty. As a whole it looks
impoverished and uninviting. Taking a
long-term perspective there is a lot of
dormant potential to accommodate
future growth. The surrounding wall
offers possibilities that can already be
put to use right now. By doing this the
current users of the market can create
an appealing atmosphere and a sense
of opportunity.
27
Every morning around thirty women
sell the main supplies for Senegalese
cooking in the main building. While
spending time to understand daily
activities and dynamics we get to know
the women one by one and collect their
ideas to improve the market area.
We put many of these ideas together
in a realistic plan that can be achieved
step by step over fi ve years time. For
now we start with step one, based on
the frequently heard wish of having
trees and small agriculture. We present
the fi rst designs in a group meeting
and get good response and useful
feedback. We also propose to improve
the visibility of the market from the
main road by painting the entrance and
making a sign by the road. This will be
designed together.
The women take turns to buy products collectively. To be back on time, they leave to outer Dakar at 4AM.
The days after the presentation we
discuss details and everyone chooses
their prefered tree and crop. Each
woman will be responsible for her own
circle. We will supply the tools and
materials and make the circles with
them. The small trees will be bought
at different orchards and given for free.
We will buy large packets of high quality
crop seeds and sell small amounts to
the women for affordable prices.
28
29
30
Overview of the women and
their personal preferences
Currently goats and sheep enter the market area all the time making it impossible to grow plants and trees. Nearly as important, they also steal vegetables from the women. The small gate on the left will close by itself to prevent the animals from entering. The main gate will be made functional again and to enhance visibility it will be lower.
current situation
current situation
impression of new entrance (without painting)
impression of new market area in 5 years time31
32