5 WEEKS TO GO....PROJECT LIMPOPO

Since the last update on Project Limpopo, lots of things have been happening and progress is occurring thick and fast!

Back in January, two schemes were chosen as the final design, one for its shell-like form and plan, the other for its technical section. A team of six 5th Year Architecture students were picked after 'rigorous' interviews and since then it has been their task to merge the two designs and create the scheme that will be built. Last week, the final design was signed off and detailing has now begun.

A couple of basic renders to give you an idea of what the school may look like

A closer view of the classrooms

Apart from the design, lots of other exciting things associated to Project Limpopo have been going on. A couple of weeks ago, the team of six 5th years students along with John Edmonds (Project Architect) came down to our Gatwick offices for a workshop day. The day consisted of working through aspects of project, cost and construction management relating to Project Limpopo with members of the K2 Consultancy team. Support and advice were given whilst mentoring the students to produce a strategic master programme, initial budgets and initial risk assessments. A great spread was laid on by K2 for lunch and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day had by all. The feedback from the students was great and they really enjoyed learning about another area of the Built Environment and thought it was vital to the success of Project Limpopo. K2 Consultancy are offering advice and mentoring the students through the pre-construction phase and will aid where possible when the students are out in South Africa.

With only 5 weeks to go til the first phase of construction begins, plans are being finalised for accommodation, travel, food, health & safety etc. Last week all staff and students taking part in the build had to go to 'Ladder's Training'...yes it is exactly what it says... learning how to stand, climb, hold, lift and move ladders! It was very useful however advice given to not go on a ladder with muddy boots or have your coat undone whilst climbing a ladder wasn't very applicable to our situation! It's a construction site and its going to be 25 degrees most days! Oh well, it will all help and the instructor was a great laugh! Other training which we are all completing will include basic first aid, manual handling and tool training. In a couple of weeks, we'll also do a test run for the construction of the superstructure...fingers crossed it doesn't fall down!

Anyway I will update you again soon with the progress of Project Limpopo. I can't believe I am getting to do this all over again and in only 5 weeks. It is such an amazing opportunity and thanks to K2 Consultancy who are allowing me the break from work for 6 weeks to realise this. If you would like to find out more about the project, the Project Limpopo website should be going 'live' very soon or if you would like to donate to this amazing cause, please visit www.justgiving.com/Helen-Projectlimpopo.

Until next time,

Helen

PROJECT LIMPOPO - Helen Jones

I joined K2 consultancy in November after graduating from The University of Nottingham with a Diploma in Architecture (Part 2). I am now undertaking a Masters in Project Management (Construction) part time whilst continuing my employment with K2. Subsequently, upon graduating I was invited to participate on a jointly run project  with The University of Nottingham and Education Africa, to design and build a nursery school in South Africa. Education Africa is a charity improving access to education in South Africa. Fifty second year students are aiming to become the second team of Nottingham students to build a new school in the country. During my fifth year, I was involved in the first project, Project Jouberton www.projectjouberton.com

This academic year, I am part of a team tutoring the group of second year students each week, developing designs that could potentially be built during April/May 2011. In January each design will be presented to a panel of judges and a final design will be chosen. A small team of fifth year students will then come on board and detail up the design. The whole team will fly out to South Africa at the end of March to complete the build within 8 weeks.

The students have managed to raise over £100,000 so far to fund the entire project, with money still coming in. The school, once built, will help transform the education of 80 four to seven year olds living in Calais – an area of high unemployment in the province of Limpopo and a four to five hour drive from Johannesburg.

If anyone would like to know further information regarding the project or would like to offer any help or advice, please contact myself at h.jones@k2consultancy.com. Watch this space for more news on the development of Project Limpopo!

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