AHO students are designing for orphanage

Recently, the six students returned from Mehayo Centre, where they lived while they led and participated in the construction of the new library. Construction work has continued after the students had returned from Mehayo and recently the roof came up.
̶  We have designed the building ourselves, but received great help and practical tips by Svein Olav Stegarud who is working at the orphanage for FK (the Norwegian peace corps), and the Alma-NAC, a British architect office that has previously built a school in the same city. Moreover, Bratsberg Brick guided us on the brick construction, says Mathilde Engen Stabekk, one of the six students.

Local craftsmen

The students have also been responsible for the financing of the construction project with the help of Norwegian sponsors. Local craftsmen and materials are being employed throughout the project. Furniture for the building is also being sourced locally. Children's books in Swahili will be donated by the British student organization, Read International.

Source of income
Mehayo Centre is a voluntary local organization which receives support from FK (the Norwegian peace corps). The construction project came about when the director and founder of Mehayo, Linda Ngido visited Norway in March. When the architect students contacted Ngido to propose a project, she immediately expressed a wish for a multi-functional library. The building is also designed to be used as a function room and can be rented out so that the orphanage can make an income from the building.

Construction
The design is a half-closed, load-bearing brick construction, with a wall of wooden ribs that can be opened onto the patio. The roof is constructed with natural ventilation and with corrugated steel plates resting on a truss of wood.
The project has been approved as a part of their studio course in urbanism this autumn.
The six students are Ane Danielsen, Anniken Høgset, Trine Bølviken, Glenn Hansen, Ketil Andersen and Mathilde Engen Stabekk.