reCOVER South Africa Summer Report

reCOVER/JPCSummer 2012Visit to South Africa Report

Water and Health in Limpopo InitiativeMukondeni Pottery CooperativeUniversity of VendaUniversity of Virginia

INTR

ODUC

TION

1INTRODUCTIONTHE MUKONDENI POTTERY COOPERATIVESince 1947, accomplished craftswomen from the village of Ha-Mashamba have been utilizing a local clay deposit to create iconic red, black and silver functional and decorative ceramics. In 1998, forty of these women formed the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative and began work in a government-built facility in close proximity to the clay deposit. The women are committed to preserving the traditional craft passed down through generations. The cooperative provides women of Ha-Mashamba with a livelihood and the region with an invaluable cultural resource.

In 2008, The University of Virginia and the University of Venda began a collaborative effort in the Limpopo province to make clean water consistently accessible while educating the local population on the effects of bacterial contamination in their drinking water. To encourage individual responsibility and provide means to sanitized water, students from the universities of Venda and Virginia are partnering with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to adapt the centuries-old pottery tradition and techniques to include the production and distribution of affordable ceramic filters for point-of-use water filtration. The raw materials required to manufacture the filters derive directly from the site; these include the existing clay deposit, as well as proposed tree propagation and rainwater collection systems. Due to the scale and potential of the enterprise, the cooperative will benefit from a filter production facility and community center, which will engage the public through educational activities, environmental advocacy, and product and skill development.

The reCOVER architecture team joined the WHIL project in 2012. Our design proposal brings together academic, civic and professional organizations to benefit the common good of the Mashamba community. In partnership with university initiatives in South Africa and the US, non-profit organizations specialized in water filtration and pottery production, and professional architectural and engineering firms, the design team is focused on a multi-phased, multi-sectorial implementation strategy of a ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design prototype.

The reCOVER team visited South Africa this summer to visit the Pottery Co-op and meet with the project stakeholders. The team first met with the women of the co-op to learn what they envision for the facility’s future (see meeting brief, pg. 2.) In addition, the team met with UNIVEN partners, political leaders, and local construction experts to discuss cultural and environmental issues that may impact the design of the factory facility. By visiting important cultural and natural landmarks, as well as factories and farms, the team gained an understanding of the past and present Venda region. Factors such as political and community issues surrounding water access, security concerns, climatic impact, educational needs, typical social interactions, and cultural

values became evident and underscored the relevancy of the project.

Upon returning to the United States, the reCOVER team compiled observations, enabling evaluation and improvement of past proposed design schemes. Long-term sustainability factors into every design decision, as the cohesion and maintenance of the site and buildings is crucial to the success of the operation.

The following pages document compiled information, observations, and a revised design strategy for the WHIL/reCOVER ceramic water filter factory and landscape project. These documents include minutes from meetings, diagrams, design drawings, renderings, and data collected during our visit to Limpopo. Currently, we are in the process of finalizing design revisions in order to complete design development drawings and transition to construction documentation. Prior to construction documents, a review of the design by UNIVEN and WHIL stakeholders will be necessary to move forward. Additionally, construction documentation and building specifications will rely on close collaboration with the University of Venda and a local general contractor to be identified by UNIVEN/WHIL at a later date.

Mukondeni potter, Satina building a vessel by hand

INTRODUCTIONTHE MUKONDENI POTTERY COOPERATIVE

reCOVER/ JPC PROJECT WORK PLAN

III. PROJECT BASIC INFORMATION Project Team: Emily Ashby, Irene Preciado, Timothy Morris, Luke GatesGraduate Student Mentor: Erin RootCommunity Partner: Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative, University of Venda Faculty Advisor: Anselmo Canfora Project Title: reCOVER: Water and Health in Limpopo (WHIL) Ceramic Water Filter Factory/Science Resource Center and Landscape Prototype

Brief Summary of Project: This reCOVER/JPC project brings together academic, civic and professional organizations to work collaboratively to benefit the common good. In partnership with the University of Virginia’s Water and Health in Limpopo project; the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, South Africa; the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative; FilterPure, Inc.; and the Arup Cause Program, the reCOVER team will focus on a multi-phased, multi-sectorial implementation strategy of a ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design prototype. IV. WORK PLAN GOALS & OBJECTIVES: 1. Conduct comprehensive research in the area of ceramic water filter factory and science resource center design and construction 2. Conduct comprehensive research in the area of landscape design and land use 3. Develop thorough documentation of the ceramic water filter factory, science resource center, and landscape design and build process for future dissemination through public lectures and scholarly writing 4. Realize a field-tested, production-ready ceramic water filter factory working with WHIL and community partners to build future facilities throughout the Limpopo province and ultimately in South Africa

ACTIVITIES: 1. Evaluate and determine areas of improvement of existing factory while conducting a comprehensive study of similar building typologies in-country as well as globally 2. Address critical design and performance parameters of scheduling, cost and implementation 3. Compile and catalogue comprehensive research in the area of manufacturing factory and associated facilities design and implementation 4. Represent development of ideas through an iterative process of scaled physical and digital drawings and three-dimensional models 5. Evaluate local building practices and identify locally–sourced materials and building products for use in the project OUTCOMES (DELIVERABLES): 1. Complete drawing set of the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center prototype and implementation strategy supported by scaled physical and digital three-dimensional models

IMPLEMENTATION STEPS: 1. Consistent weekly working schedule in design studio between all 5 team members (including graduate student mentor) and Anselmo Canfora (3rd Floor Architecture Studio in Campbell Hall) 2. Biweekly meetings at Campbell Hall (3rd Floor Architecture Studio) between project team and WHIL representatives to discuss the development of the project 3. Documentation and representation of design development ideas through scaled drawings and models (All work to be conducted in Campbell Hall, 3rd Floor Architecture Studio) 4. Documentation and execution of implementation drawings 5. Biweekly working sessions with project team and consulting architects, builders and manufacturers 6. Building materials specification and procurement study in collaboration with WHIL representatives

PROJECT TIMELINE AND DATE TO BE COMPLETED: Summer 2012 (June through August) 1. Analysis and assessment of earlier design iterations of the ceramic water filter factory and science

PROJ

ECT

WOR

K P

LAN

2

resource center prototype with WHIL representatives and Arup engineer (Anselmo Canfora – Initiative reCOVER Project Director; Ewan Smith, Arup Associates structural engineer consultant for the ‘Arup Cause’ program) 2. Drawing, modeling and structural simulation of new iterations of ceramic water filter factory and science resource center and landscape prototype design

Fall 2012 (September through December) 1. Continued evaluation of the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center prototype design with WHIL representatives 2. Development of final specifications and drawings for building process

Spring 2012 (January through May) 1. Compile all evaluations and feedback on design for final report 2. Finalize implementation schedule for the ceramic water filter factory and science resource center buildings and landscape

TEAM MEMBER RESPONSIBLITIES: The members of project team will share the same responsibilities including research, design development, scaled drawing and model building . Each team member will share in an equal distribution of quantity and type of work throughout the project. The graduate mentor will assume additional responsibilities related to technical and systems management of the project.

RESOURCES NEEDED: 1. Funding for student stipends 2. Funding for supplies and materials for scaled drawings and models 3. Funding for travel

PROJ

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3

Student, Timothy Morris sketching existing site conditions

TIME

LINE

4TIMELINE

M T W TH F S S

Dinner with Prof. Sacharan

ThohoyandouDinner with Peter Mbati, the Vice Chancellor, of the University of Venda

Visit to Tshapasha slow Sand Filter

reCOVER presentation at UniVen

Phiphidi Waterfalls

ThatweVondo Dam Albasini Dam

WEEK 1 | JUNE 4-10

In tandem with the mission of the University of Venda, the Vuwani Science Resource Centre aims to reach out to the rural population and to contribute significantly to the development of the rural community through specific educational services.

Phiphidi waterfalls have had sacred ancestral and spiritual significance in the Venda community for generations. We learned that the ways the Venda perceive and interact with different natural water sources affect their access to water.

Nandoni Dam

Elim

The Albasini Dam is primary used for agricultural irrigation. We gained understanding of the region’s collection and dispersal of water as an economic commodity and stimulant.

Visit to the Greenery Projects

Vowani Science Center

Visit Today Primary School and Community Library

The Nandoni Dam supplies water for domestic use in Thohoyandou, Makhado, and surrounding rural areas. It proved to be a monumental visual icon of local water infrastructure.

Visit to Albasisni Dam

Visit to ThatweVondo Dam

Visit to Vowani Science Center

5

TIME

LINE

M T W TH F S SWEEK 2 | JUNE 11-17

Kruger National Park is one of Limpopo’s most valued and preserved landscape and wildlife attractions. We were awed and inspired by new sites and sounds which give the region a unique identity.

Peter Rich is an architect from Johannesburg who designed the Makuleke Community Center. His project shares a similar scale, style, and site as our design. He utilizes outdoor gathering spaces and terracing with local materials.

The Phiphidi Waterfalls are one of only two naturally occuring resevoirs in the Limpopo region. The falls are not used for drinking water, as they are considered sacred to the Venda population.

Dinner with Chief Ratshitanga

Meeting with Mukondeni women to discuss future of factory facility (pg. 7)

Erin and Anselmo meet and introduce themselves to the women at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative.

Team met with other WHIL groups (the Ceramic Water Filter Team) and Dr. John Mudau to brief each other on our progress to date. We shared information imparted by women at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to avoid repetitive conversation. (pg. 17)

reCOVER team arrives in Limpopo

Mukondeni

Shiluvari

Kruger

Makuleke

Phiphidi WaterfallsMakuleke Community Center

Phiphidi Waterfalls

Meeting with Mukondeni women

Met with CWF Team Met with Dr. John Mudau

6

TIME

LINE

Green Farms

Met with Simon Ogombwe to discuss water infrustructure, climate, and social dynamics surrounding water as a resource.

Green Farms prepares, packages, and distributes macadamia nuts.Touring an effective neighboring factory facility gave us insight to both the future of our project.

The reserve has a large volume and variety of plant life from which we could note effective species to utilize in the landscape scheme.

Ben Lavin Nature Reserve

M T W TH F S SWEEK 3 | JUNE 18-22

Met with Mr.Masakwana at Khouroni

Nandoni Dam

Dinner with CWF TeamTraditional South African Braii

Louis Trichardt

Returned to the USUNIVEN

Mukondeni Observed vernacular architecture in surrounding urban downtown centers

Met with Professor Ligavha to discuss options for propagation plants for the Mukondeni Site

Met with Cornelius Heigenmeir, Dr. John Mudau, Professor Netshandama, Stakeholders from SEDA and DTI (pg 18-19)

The team took precise site and building measurements. We walked along the perimeter of the property line and documented a detailed site plan.

Thohoyandou

Shiluvari

Met with Mahanya, a dean of engineering at Vhembe FET. We discussed construction techniques, material sizes, and drawing conventions. He generously offered to be a resource for questions we may encounter as we continue design development. (pg 17)

The Nandoni Dam supplies water for domestic use in Thohoyandou, Makhado, and surrounding rural areas. It proved to be a monumental visual icon of local water infrastructure.

Met with Dr. John Mudauand Prof. Netshandama (pg. 17)

Visited Hardware Stores to price materials

MEETING BRIEFNotes gathered from Meeting with mukondeni Pottery Co-op addressing the existing challenges and needs

WATER Community’s perception of water use and storage limits amount of municipal water women comfortable with collecting New borehole nearer to factory will alleviate shortage, include pump for jojo tank Women open to rainwater collection from rooftops; will not feel obligated to share with community Water collected from roofs requires purification, long-term storage solution Current drinking water sourced from municipal supply pipe Municipal water supply available to women for an estimated two hours every other day Potential tension between community and pottery cooperative regarding tax exemption statusEQUIPMENT The electric kiln does not get up to the proper temperature to vitrify pots, leaving it abandoned and in disrepair The wood-fired kiln is structurally inadequate and needs to be restructured or rebuilt Shelving necessary to maximize efficiency of kilns Women expressed a desire for uniforms Safety equipment necessary for use of wood-burning kilns (gloves, jackets, pants, face-shields, and closed-toed shoes) The cylindrical wood-burning kiln (east of the building, north of the existing wood-fired kiln) is abandoned and in disrepair The women expressed interest in having square work tables for four people to use comfortablyIDENTITY Signage leading to the cooperative and a sign in front of their building could attract more business The women desire assistance transporting their work to markets, stores, etc. to expand their business The rondavels serve as a cultural attraction, but windows and doors need to be fully installedMISCELLANEOUS Women in favor of trees for shade and wood, not necessarily fruit or medicinal trees due to risk of trespassing, and theft Method of displaying pots as well as a secured storage area would benefit the cooperative The women expressed interest in further securing the site with protective fencing

7

EXIS

TING

SIT

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8

SKET

CHES

SKETCHESObservations of the site and context

EXISTING FACTORY STRUCTUREObservations regarding the integrity, safety, and longevity of the existing factory shed 9

EXIS

TING

SIT

EWHIL/reCOVERStructural assessment of existing shed buildingEwan CT Smith MEng, CEng, MIStructE, MIEDSenior Engineer | Building Structures ArupJuly 19, 2012

Firstly, to summarise what we can see in the photos. [Images provided by reCOVER/JPC team] It seems that the roof trusses are not connected rigidly to the supporting posts, so very little lateral load transfer will be possible. There also appears to be no vertical cross bracing between the supporting posts, so we can only assume the stability is provided by fully embedding the posts into the ground and creating a fixed support.

Thus, the system is essentially a series of columns embedded into the ground, each supporting itself through lateral earth pressure on the base of the embedded post. [Additionally, concrete was used to cast the post in the ground; this detail was not clearly seen in the images reviewed by the structural engineer.] The roof trusses are then supported off these posts. There does seem to be both lateral and plan bracing present between the trusses, but the connections to the supporting posts are very poor.

The quality of the truss construction looks reasonable by African standards in places but substantially poorer in others. Some connections have been nailed with gang plates, these connections look reasonable. The connections to the vertical truss members look less secure.

In summary, I would expect there to be considerable lateral movement (or sway) in the frame, because the supporting posts, although embedded in the ground, are very slender. The overall stability is entirely reliant on the posts being effectively fixed in the ground; as the soil is washed away from the posts, the stability will be compromised. [This will be helped somewhat by the concrete footings mentioned above.] I am also very concerned about the connections to the top of the posts which secure the trusses. These look wholly inadequate and appear to be secured by one piece of wire.

I would recommend bracing is added to the posts in localised areas (either cross bracing using timber of steel wires, or masonry infill wall panels) and a secure timber ring beam at the top of column level is also added to effectively tie the columns together at truss level. This beam would give a better zone for fastening the trusses to. The trusses then need to be fixed to the beam more effectively that they currently are, either using larger steel straps, or preferable a bolted plate connection. The bracing in the roof should be checked for «sturdiness» and, if necessary, reaffixed. The timber trusses, where joints to the vertical members look poor need to be reaffixed, preferably with a bolted connection with oversized washer plates.

With the recommendations above, I would suggest it may be easier to remove the roof, rebuild the trusses at ground level, add the ring beam and bracing, then reinstate the roof. I would suggest that little extra material is required other than bolts, bracing and a ring beam (the roof sheeting and majority of the trusses can be reused), but I think it would take a considerable labour resource to complete the task.

EXISTING FACTORY STRUCTUREObservations regarding the integrity, safety, and longevity of the existing factory shed

GEOLOGICAL PROCESSESAnd their role in the pottery process on the site 10

DIAG

RAMS

mine

mill

clean

mix

wedge

press

trim

dry

fire

cool

soakdripcoat

dry

storeship

form

dry

fire

cool

paint

dry

display

rawclay dr

y

transport

hammermill

powderedclay

seivesawdust

watermixer

wetclay

press

formedclay formed

clay

kiln kiln

firedclay

firedclay

soaktankwater

nano-particles

oxides

graphite

craftceramic

filter

ARTISINAL

topsoil

clay rich subsoil

regolith

bedrock

rawclay

ceramicfilter

craftdry

mill

cleanmix

wedge

trimdry

fire

coolsoak

dripcoat

storeship

form

dryfire

cool

paint

display

CLAY DEPOSIT

ROAD TO VILLAGE

COMMUNITY SPACE

PRODUCTION FACILITY

water

carbondioxide

carbonicacid

gneiss

maficminerals

quartz

feldspar

bicarbonate sand

kaolinite

soilorganicmatter

potassium,sodium

ions

chem

ical w

eathe

ring

oxides

phys

ical w

eathe

ring

eros

ion

GEOLOGICAL

rawclay

SPATIALIZING THE POTTERY PROCESS

FLOOR PLAN derived from the diagrams

Proposed Community Center

Proposed Amphitheatre

Existing Rondavels

Proposed Filter Factory

Proposed Pottery Studio

Proposed and Existing Wood KilnsProposed Composting Toilets

Existing Structure: Shop and Offices, Proposed Childcare

Proposed Parking

11

DIAG

RAMS

+ P

ROPO

SED

DESI

GNcompress time diagram

transport

mine

mine clean and prepare �redry test and treat

categorize processes

o�set water displacement

water mixing

water evaporating

rotate to combine similar spaces and make cyclical

imposemodular grid and adjust size for spatial requirements

rawclay mi

ne

t tran

s. dry

ARTISANAL hammermill

powderedclay

seive

wetclay

formedclay

formedclay

kiln

firedclay

soaktank nanoparticles

ceramicfilter

oxides graphite

kiln

craftfiredclay

sawdust water water

mixer press

mill

clean mix

wedg

e

pres

s

trim

dry

fire

cool

soak drip

coat dry

store

ship

form

dry

fire

cool

paint dry

displa

y

water

carbondioxide

carbonicacid

gneiss

maficminerals quartzfeldspar

bicarbonate sand

kaolinite

soilorganicmatter

potassium,sodium

ions

chem

ical w

eathe

ring

oxides

phys

ical w

eathe

ring

eros

ion

GEOLOGICAL

rawclay

ceramicfilter

craftdry

mill

cleanmix

wedge

trimdry

fire

coolsoak

dripcoat

storeship

form

dryfire

cool

paint

display

topsoil

clay rich subsoil

regolith

bedrock

This logistics diagram visualizes the complete process of making fifty ceramic water filters. The duration for each step in the process is represented on the horizontal axis in hours. So, If a procedure involves more than one person or if a machine is necessary for a task during specified time, then the time is divided by the number of people working and is horizontally shortened accordingly.

The initial site strategy is a derivation of a series of graphic manipulations of the timeline described above. The intention is to identify and assign work spaces across the site in a logical manner, while accounting for the necessary use of water during the process of making ceramic water filters. The workflow also considers how individual or groups of women work on isolated or collective tasks.

The overall timeline is subdivided into five categories: they are 1) Mining the clay; 2) Cleaning and Preparing the clay (this includes sieving the clay and mixing with water and sawdust, in addition to pressing the filter and cleaning up imperfections); 3) Drying the filters after they have been pressed; 4) Firing the filters in the kiln, and; 5) Testing and treating the filters with the colloidal silver. The resulting diagrammatic organization of the buildings on the site was used to generate multiple iterations of potential site plans. The site plan illustrated here represents the most viable organization of new buildings, exterior spaces and terracing while integrating existing buildings on the site.

SITE PLAN + DESIGN DESCRIPTION + SECTION 12

PROP

OSED

DES

IGN

The latest iteration of the design includes central gathering spaces defined by terracing. The concept of using roof surfaces and multiple, easily accessible, cisterns to harvest water for year-round use continues to be an important feature of our design. A small modification to the roof design includes multiple clearstory slots which allow more natural light and ventilation into the buildings, while a secondary trellis system provides additional shading over transitional spaces between indoor and outdoor facilities. The design includes a palette of trees intended to be used for propagation to fuel the two proposed wood kilns. The six types of trees we have chosen were suggested by Professor Lagavha, a Botanist at the University of Venda. These trees are hardwood, fairly fast-growing and have the potential to be used for medicinal purposes. In addition, they create a privacy barrier between the facility and the road, a concern voiced by the Mukondeni Potters in the past.

SOUTH AFRICA’S CLAY ROUTEARRANGEMENT OF CLAY FACILITIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY’S LATOSOL CLAY DEPOSITS

CRITERIA FOR THE PLACEMENT AND NETWORKING OF FUTURE FACTORIES:• Clay facility must be within the existing Latosol deposit• Each administrative zone has its own facility, assuming that each administrative zone has its own chief and administrator• Clay facility must be within a certain distance of a major river for access to water for mixing clay and testing water filters• Clay facility must be within a certain distance of an urban area for access to building materials

FUTURE FACTORIES + NETWORKsites that serve as possible locations for filter factories based on the outlined criteria

URBAN AREASregions of South Africa with the building supplies, populations, and market for a filter factory’s success

LATASOL CLAY DEPOSITS + WATERWAYSareas framed by access to raw materials

A NEW CONNECTIVITYa system of factory prototypes develops over time,

creating an infrastructure of physical connections as well as a sharing of techniques, materials, and

educational practices

MUKONDENI

SOUT

H AF

RICA

POPU

LATI

ON -

49,99

1,300

LIMPO

PO R

EGIO

N, S

OUTH

AFR

ICA

LOUIS TRICHARDT

MUKONDENI

POLOKWANE

POPU

LATI

ON -

5,439

,600

MUKONDENIPOTTERY COOPERATIVE

GPS

- EAS

T 30

.1084

, SOU

TH -2

3.254

0PO

PULA

TION

- 2,3

75

MUKO

NDEN

I, SOU

TH A

FRIC

A

RONDOVALS FACTORY SHED

FISH POND

CLAY DEPOSIT

POTTERYCO-OP

JOJO TANK

MUKO

NDEN

I POT

TERY

COL

LECT

IVE

GPS

- EAS

T 30

.1084

, SOU

TH -2

3.254

0

670

669

668

667

666

+ LP665

671

672

673

+ HP673.5

SOUTH AFRICA’S CLAY ROUTEARRANGEMENT OF CLAY FACITILIES WITHIN THE COUNTRY’S LATOSOL CLAY DEPOSITS

CONTEXT MAPS

13

CONT

EXT

+ DI

AGRA

MS

October

Kitchen

November December January February March April May June July August September

10,3

68 14,9

04

6,69

6

14,3

64

14,2

56

9,72

0

5,61

6

3,56

4

1,29

6

1,40

4

972 3,

888

LatrineCommunity CenterFactoryExisting Building

11,1

60

17,2

80

25,2

00

23,9

40

23,7

60

16,2

00

9,72

0

5,94

0

2,16

0

2,34

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1,62

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,120

3,78

0

5,46

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5,04

0

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21,8

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37,8

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55,4

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6057,9

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28,5

12

43,7

18

16,4

73

10,4

54

3,80

1

4,11

8

2,85

1

11,4

04

DRY SEASONWET SEASON

43,718 L24,4981 L 24,4981 L

24,4981 LCOMMUNITY CENTER POTTERY STUDIOFILTER FACTORYEXISTING BUILDING

70,000 L

0 L

ROOF RUNOFF

60,000 L

50,000 L

40,000 L

30,000 L

20,000 L

10,000 L

Factory Water Demand:4 L for wet-forming 1 filter membrane (4 L/pot)800 L/month for 200 pots at low capacity production *ideal1600 L/month for 400 pots at medium capacity production3200 L/pot for 800 pots at high capacity production15 L/pot flow rate (200 pots requires 3000 L/month

TOTAL: 4,200 L/month

Community Space Water Demand:20 L/person/day600 L/person/month33000 L/month for 55 people

TOTAL: 33,000 L/month

6696

1036

8

1490

4

1436

4

1425

6

9720

5616

3564

1296

1404

972

3888

1488

0

2304

0

3312

0

1436

4

1425

6

9720

5832

3564

1296 1620

972

3888

1488

0

2304

0

3360

0

3192

0

3168

0

2160

0

1296

0

7920

2880 3120

2160

8640

1488

0

2304

0

3312

0

3192

0

3168

0

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0

1248

0

7920

2880 3120

2160

8640

1964

1.6

3041

2.8

4371

8.4

4213

4.4

4181

7.6

2851

2

1647

3.6

1045

4.4

3801

.6

4118

.4

2851

.2

1140

4.8

October November December January February March April May June July August September

ROOF RUNOFF

LatrineCommunity CenterFactoryStudioExisting Building

WET SEASON DRY SEASON

0 L

5000 L

10000 L

15000 L

20000 L

25000 L

30000 L

35000 L

40000 L

45000 L

50000 L

14

PROP

OSED

DES

IGN

RAINWATER COLLECTIONCOLLECTING WATER TO IRRIGATE

Clean drinking water is a scarce resource in the Limpopo region. The Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative currently relies on a borehole they share with the community. For drinking and facility production purposes, the Cooperative currently receives water for only one quarter of a full week’s quota of necessary water. The proposed new facility utilizes a tiered roofing system designed to collect rainwater throughout the dry and rainy seasons. This would enable the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to be more self-sustaining, and not as reliant on the community borehole for its water consumption. (continued on the next page)

RAINWATER COLLECTIONCOLLECTING WATER TO DRINK AND IRRIGATE

TREE PROPAGATIONUsing wood as fuel for the kiln

PLANT PALETTEGeneral Criteria: fast Growing, hardwood to build heat in the wood kiln, medicinal usage, fruit bearing

Dichrostachys Cinerea Combretum Apiculatum Euclea Linearis

Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, with brownish red or golden yellow autumn colours; occurring in bushveld, often at low altitudes and in rocky places, on well-drained soils. Heartwood dark brown to black, hard, heavy, fine-frained and termite resistant, used for fencing posts and fuel (cols can last up to 12 hours). Bark used for tanning leather. Leaves browsed by game, the fallen ones by cattle; also used medicinally.

Shrub or small tree with a rather untidy crown, often flat-topped; occurring in bushveld, often invasive and thicket-forming, particularly in overgrazed areas. Stock and game eat the pods. Various parts of the tree are used medicinally. Bark yields a strong fibre. The wood is hard and durable, used for fence poles and much sought after as firewood.

Shrub or small to medum-sized tree with slender, drooping branches; sexes separate, on different plants; occurring in semi-desert and deseert areas, usually along watercourses and in depressions. The heartwood is pitch black (hence common names), hard and durable, used in construction and as fuelwood. Twigs used for toothbrushes. Browsed by stock. Fruit edible but not very palatable; also fed to chickens to harden eggshells.

Ebony treeRed bushwillowSickle bushAcacia Karroo Pterocarpus Rotundifolia Peltiphorum Africanum

Shrub to medium-sized tree, variable in shape but typically with a rounded crown; occurring in bushveld, grassland and coastal dune forest. The tree is browsed by game. Bark used in tanning, yields a strong rope, produces an edible gum, and is used in traditional medicine, as is the root. Seeds roasted and sused coffee substitute. The wood is hard and heavy but prone to borer attack. Trees often proliferate in overgrazed areas.

Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, often multistemmed; occurring in bushveld and woodland. Bark rough and longitudinally fissured. The wood is pale brown with a featureless grain, and is used for household utensils; ubpleasantly scented when cut. Larval food plant for the butterflies.

Small to medium-sized tree with a dense crown; occurring in bushveld, often on sandy soils. The species is browsed by game. Bark and root used for medicinal purposes. Wood suitable for carving. Several butterflies breed on the tree. A decorative garden subject. Sap-sucking insects known as spittle bugs, occcur in large numbers on the branches during certain times of the year. They excrete almost pure water, which froths around the insect and drips constantly to the ground, thus causing the tree to”rain’ or ‘weep’.

Round-leaved teak Weeping WattleSweet thorn

600 TREES on SITE = 1,200 CORDS in 10 YEARS, 96,000 FILTERS in 10 YEARS, 9,600 FILTERS in 1 YEAR , 800 FILTERS in 1 MONTH

IF ONE TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, then EACH TREE WILL NEED 10 YEARS to PRODUCE TWO CORDS of WOOD

2 CORDS

35 feet = 10 meters

1 CORD 1 FIRING 80 FILTERS IN TWO DAYS

1 CORD = 4’ x 4’ x 8’ storage space (2 CORDS = 8’ x 8’ x 16’ )

1 FIRING1 CORD

+=

+=

2 CORDS 1 CORD = 4’ x 4’ x 8’ STORAGE SPACE(2 CORDS = 8’ x 8’ x 16’)

IF 1 TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, THEN EACH TREE WILL NEED 10 YEARS TO PRODUCE 2 CORDS OF WOOD.

600 TREES ON SITE = 1,200 CORDS IN 10 YEARS

80 FILTERS IN 2 DAYS

10 M(35’)

96,000 FILTERS IN 10 YEARS9,600 FILTERS IN 1 YEAR800 FILTERS IN 1 MONTH

1 FIRING1 CORD

+=

+=





10 M(35’)


Dichrostachys Cinerea Combretum Apiculatum Euclea Linearis

Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, with brownish red or golden yellow autumn colours; occurring in bushveld, often at low altitudes and in rocky places, on well-drained soils. Heartwood dark brown to black, hard, heavy, fine-frained and termite resistant, used for fencing posts and fuel (cols can last up to 12 hours). Bark used for tanning leather. Leaves browsed by game, the fallen ones by cattle; also used medicinally.

Shrub or small tree with a rather untidy crown, often flat-topped; occurring in bushveld, often invasive and thicket-forming, particularly in overgrazed areas. Stock and game eat the pods. Various parts of the tree are used medicinally. Bark yields a strong fibre. The wood is hard and durable, used for fence poles and much sought after as firewood.

Shrub or small to medum-sized tree with slender, drooping branches; sexes separate, on different plants; occurring in semi-desert and deseert areas, usually along watercourses and in depressions. The heartwood is pitch black (hence common names), hard and durable, used in construction and as fuelwood. Twigs used for toothbrushes. Browsed by stock. Fruit edible but not very palatable; also fed to chickens to harden eggshells.

Ebony treeRed bushwillowSickle bushAcacia Karroo Pterocarpus Rotundifolia Peltiphorum Africanum

Shrub to medium-sized tree, variable in shape but typically with a rounded crown; occurring in bushveld, grassland and coastal dune forest. The tree is browsed by game. Bark used in tanning, yields a strong rope, produces an edible gum, and is used in traditional medicine, as is the root. Seeds roasted and sused coffee substitute. The wood is hard and heavy but prone to borer attack. Trees often proliferate in overgrazed areas.

Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, often multistemmed; occurring in bushveld and woodland. Bark rough and longitudinally fissured. The wood is pale brown with a featureless grain, and is used for household utensils; ubpleasantly scented when cut. Larval food plant for the butterflies.

Small to medium-sized tree with a dense crown; occurring in bushveld, often on sandy soils. The species is browsed by game. Bark and root used for medicinal purposes. Wood suitable for carving. Several butterflies breed on the tree. A decorative garden subject. Sap-sucking insects known as spittle bugs, occcur in large numbers on the branches during certain times of the year. They excrete almost pure water, which froths around the insect and drips constantly to the ground, thus causing the tree to”rain’ or ‘weep’.

Round-leaved teak Weeping WattleSweet thorn

600 TREES on SITE = 1,200 CORDS in 10 YEARS, 96,000 FILTERS in 10 YEARS, 9,600 FILTERS in 1 YEAR , 800 FILTERS in 1 MONTH

IF ONE TREE GROWS 1 METER PER YEAR, then EACH TREE WILL NEED 10 YEARS to PRODUCE TWO CORDS of WOOD

2 CORDS

35 feet = 10 meters

1 CORD 1 FIRING 80 FILTERS IN TWO DAYS

1 CORD = 4’ x 4’ x 8’ storage space (2 CORDS = 8’ x 8’ x 16’ )

1 FIRING1 CORD

+=

+=





10 M(35’)


1 FIRING1 CORD

+=

+=





10 M(35’)


In order to sustain the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative filter factory production, it will be necessary to establish a sustainable source of wood on site to fire the desired filter quota per month. We are proposing that the wood used to fire the kiln will no longer be purchased from vendors, but instead will be supplied by the cooperative’s own on site tree propagation. (continued on the next page)

The roof and collection system redirects all the rainwater to 30 gallon header tanks, which are placed below the ceiling and utilize gravity to distribute the water for drinking, cooking, bathing and factory production. When necessary, the ceramic filters made on site are used to filter roof runoff. Additional roof runoff bypasses the header tank and travels directly to a large partially in-ground concrete cistern. Built on-site, multiple cisterns will be covered to prevent bacterial contamination and water theft. Calculations have shown that the total water collected over the span of one year from roof runoff will be sufficient to support the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative based on 20 liter consumption for each of the 45 women of the Cooperative. In addition, the water harvested from the proposed roof design would support the factory’s production of ceramic filters based on a four liter per filter usage from start of the manufacturing process, when clay is mixed with water and sawdust, to the completion of the pot, when the clay filter moves through soak and drip testing to ensure it works properly.

15

PROP

OSED

DES

IGN

12000 L

10000 L

8000 L

6000 L

4000 L

2000 L

0 L

TREE PROPAGATION

4545

6959

9942

9587

9516

6533

3835

2486

994

1065

781

2699

1686

2582

3688

3556

3530

2424

1423

922

369 395

290

1001

2460

3766

5380

5188

5150

3536

2075

1345

538

576

423

1460

Propogation Parameters:7.5 liters per tree per day minimum25 liters per tree per day maximum5 mm per tree per month (evaporation rate)345 mm per tree per month minimum930 mm per tree per month maximum

Surface Area of Site: 24,5000 m2

Propogation Water Demand for 600 trees:207000 liters per month minimum558000 liters per month maximum

TOTAL: 558000 L/month

maximum amount of trees that can be irrigated

average amount of trees that can be irrigated

minimum amount of trees that can be irrigated



12000 L

10000 L

8000 L

6000 L

4000 L

2000 L

0 L

TREE PROPAGATION

4545

6959

9942

9587

9516

6533

3835

2486

994

1065

781

2699

1686

2582

3688

3556

3530

2424

1423

922

369 395

290

1001

2460

3766

5380

5188

5150

3536

2075

1345

538

576

423

1460

Propogation Parameters:7.5 liters per tree per day minimum25 liters per tree per day maximum5 mm per tree per month (evaporation rate)345 mm per tree per month minimum930 mm per tree per month maximum

Surface Area of Site: 24,5000 m2

Propogation Water Demand for 600 trees:207000 liters per month minimum558000 liters per month maximum

TOTAL: 558000 L/month

maximum amount of trees that can be irrigated

average amount of trees that can be irrigated

minimum amount of trees that can be irrigated



RAINWATER COLLECTIONCOLLECTING WATER TO DRINK AND IRRIGATE 16

PROP

OSED

DES

IGN

The proposed site and building design allows for approximately 600 trees, assuming each tree is allotted nine square meters of canopy space. The trees would be grown in rotations, enabling coppicing (the harvesting of a tree at the base, and leaving a trunk to produce new growth from the stump). For example, while a 25-tree lot is harvested, a second 25-tree lot would be allowed to grow until ready for harvesting.

As shown on the previous page, a plant palate of fast growing, native hardwood trees has been identified to help achieve the appropriate kiln temperature levels to ensure the most effective firing processes. We have assumed that a 20 square foot wood kiln requires one cord of wood to fire 80 ceramic filters in two days. If the potters were to grow 600 trees on site in rotations, each year, then 9,600 filters could be produced per annum. A valid concern with a tree propagation strategy is whether there will be enough water throughout the year to sustain young saplings. Generally, a tree that stands 10 meters, takes in 25 liters of water per day. As the diagram shows, (on the next page) if we were to collect water from the ground water runoff and feed it into cisterns both in the dry season and the wet season, we would have enough water to support more than the proposed 600 trees.

RENDERINGS +TREE PROPAGATION

The community learning center housing cultural exhibition space and a multipurpose classroom, viewed from centeral gathering terrace.

The new studio and filter factory situated between the exisiting co-op builing and iconic rondavels. The transformed ladscape features fast-growing hardwoods for privacy and fuel.

The central gathering terrace and ampitheater overlooking the new pottery studio and water filter factory.

17

PROP

OSED

DES

IGN

MEETING NOTES 18

MEET

ING

NOTE

SMEETING WITH PROF. JOHN MUDAU (6/14/12)The following are important points taken during the meeting:

▪ He informed us that UNIVEN is organizing another borehole to be drilled/installed at the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative▪ No one is paying land taxes on the land that the cooperative is on▪ The hammer mill is not operational; it blows out a lot of dust [it has since been repaired]▪ We discusses pricing safety equipment/clothing such as gloves, boots, and jackets for kiln firing▪ First-aid kits and preparation is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately; a first-aid kid should be conveniently located in the Cooperative▪ Jeff Hadell, an official in the South African government, organized the funding to construct the cooperative’s building

MEETING WITH PROF. VHONANI NETSHANDAMA (6/19/12)

▪ Prof. Netshandama wanted us to recount for her the good, the bad, and the ‘ugly’ of our experiences in our first week in South Africa▪ Some women in the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative train adult learners in reading and writing – the community center aspect of the project would feed off of this practice, as well as traditional Venda beading▪ The Dept. of Higher Education and Training might become involved if the community center ran educational programs ▪ UNIVEN is open to the idea of having a university branch at the Cooperative’s building▪ There is an agricultural university near Mukondeni▪ UNIVEN imagines this university branch as a facility with classrooms and apartments▪ The women could teach pottery along with the other teachers at the university branch▪ There is an art gallery at UNIVEN displaying traditional Venda craft, including pots made at the Mukondeni Cooperative▪ It is Prof. Netshandama’s dream that Mukondeni would be an “art center for learning”▪ Prof. Netshandama emphasized the idea that the women are rightfully protective of their space▪ The women are used to projects that come and fail; the most important thing for any project is that it rejuvenates their imagination▪ The chief of Mukondeni (who owns the land where the Cooperative is located) is not concerned with changing the site boundaries at the moment, but this could change▪ Prof. Netshendama believes that it would be advantageous to make the new building include a training center She wishes for us to “forgive ourselves for what we cannot do”

MEETING WITH PROF. MAHANYA, DEAN OF THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL AT VHEMBE F.E.T. (6/21/12)

▪ There is no earthquake risk in the region, and very little severe weather, so building codes are very lenient▪ There are two options to contract out building work in South Africa – self-driven construction and hiring private contractors: of the two, private contractors are better▪ Contractors accredited by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) or the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) are the best, but be sure to ask for a profile of the buildings the (general) contractor has overseen ▪ South African building codes are available online at the South Africa Bureau of Standards website (sabs.co.za)▪ Traditional walls are double-brick, with some single-brick; walls are usually between 75-150 mm▪ In recent years, authorities in the Limpopo Province have had to ease building codes because people are reluctant to give up traditional building methods▪ Private buildings do not require building permits, whereas public buildings do require permitting.▪ We will need to turn in a comprehensive plan to the municipality before constructing any other public buildings▪ In order to transport the materials, the building supply store can arrange for transport; alternately, there are usually men that wait around outside of hardware stores to transport materials (to be hired informally for a fee)▪ Buy timber from plantations, not hardware stores – it will be considerably less expensive▪ Aluminum is not readily available as a building material

STAKEHOLDER MEETING BRIEFHow the project can move forward with the help of external organizations 19

MEET

ING

NOTE

SOVERVIEW On Friday, 22 June, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) hosted a meeting to share information amongst currently involved parties and potential new stakeholders., The meeting served to elucidate the progress of the project, its goals, and the overall direction with the consideration of various perspectives. Stakeholders then presented the team with an array of services which their organizations could employ to enrich the collaboration and benefit the project as a whole. Throughout the discussion, UNIVEN representatives stressed the importance of maintaining appropriate protocols and effective community engagement strategies as the teams continue to work with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative.

ATTENDANCEUniversity of Venda Prof. John Mudau Prof. Vhonani Netshandama Student partners (Kole, Dennis)University of Virginia Ceramic Water Filter engineering and business representatives (Carly, Molly, David) reCOVER architecture representatives (Erin, Emily, Timothy)Other Organizations Marcus Mukumela: SEDA representative Patrick Khumalo: DTI representative

THE PROJECTOrigins of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative and the Involvement of UNIVEN and WHIL Clay deposit began being used in 1947 Inconsistent availability of municipal water Ceramic water filter could improve drinking water quality Interest in rural development at UniVen Desire for other community functions and people to be involved at site Existing relationship between UniVen and University of Virginia

Progress of Various Groups to Date

Architecture:While in South Africa, the reCOVER/JPC architecture team from the University of Virginia made progress in gaining a better understanding of how water is perceived and used on a daily basis in the Venda culture. The team was interested in learning more about how this relationship with water affects various societal aspects from land use, inter-community relations, to how drinking supplies are managed. In addition to visiting culturally and environmentally relevant sites throughout Limpopo, the team worked closely with the women of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative on site at Mukondeni, gathering information addressing the needs and desires of the cooperative. Additionally, the team observed existing dynamics and conditions of the site, while document various aspects of the exisiting physical plant and overall site, important information to the ongoing design process. Other pertinent information was gathered through discussions with experts throughout the region, including several UNIVEN professors and members of the local and regional government. From here, the team intends to develop design strategies which are more focused on the needs of the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative while integrating design considerations of broader cultural and environmental issues. In the near trm, the reCOVER/JPC team will continue with design development, a preliminary first iteration of construction documents, and working more closely with Arup engineering to address infrastructural and structural aspects of the project.

Business/Engineering:The Ceramic Water Filter team will continue to work on site to address the production of ceramic filters to a level which can be sustained after their departure. We have understood their primary challenges to include the functionality of the facilities (i.e. malfunctioning kilns and equipemnt) and initial market penetration for CWF sales and distribution. As the Ceramic Water Filter team conducts necessary repairs, they will reach out to markets such as hardware stores in Thohoyandou and Louis Trichardt which could carry the filters, thereby expanding the business into more populated areas of Limpopo. With help from a visiting specialist from Potters for Peace, the the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative

STAKEHOLDER MEETING BRIEFHow the project can move forward with the help of external organizations

As we move forward with the WHIL Ceramic Water Filter Factory and Science Resource Center project, we are aware of the challenges we face in raising funds to be able to realize the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative facilities. The Initiative reCOVER/JPC team is prepared to assist the stakeholders from the University of Venda, University of Virginia, and the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative in generating the necessary documentation and visual descriptions for fundraising and educational efforts. We see our design and communication efforts throughout the development of the project to be reliant on the feedback from the UNIVEN and WHIL collaborators, while we maintain the overall design principles, scope, and best practices critical to the realization of the project.

FUNDINGREALIZING THE SHARED VISION

20

MEET

ING

NOTE

Swill learn to safely operate and maintain the equipment necessary for manufacturing the filters. Ideally, the Cooperative will soon be producing a volume of useable filters for distribution on a local and, potentially, regional scale.Issue contributing to the complexity of the project: (these points were gleaned from the meeting) Multiple stakeholders requires cautious and thoughtful decision making Training as a core strategy: educate to succeed Effectively running a business Maintaining equipment, operations, and safety standards and procedures Managing the site (security, sales and tourism) Think about pertinent maintenance and how it is crucial to longevity of the program What training and support will be required? Sustainable practices are key to the success of the projectSEDA’s role:The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) is a good example of an organization which can provide local support for the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative through a variety of services. We understood SEDA could potentially help develop the identity of the business by addressing signage, links to urban areas, tourism routes, business cards, logos, website development, and other advertising strategies. Furthermore, they could provide additional quality testing of the ceramic water filters.This important from the standpoint of determining whether the product fulfills local, regional and national standards. Documentation and certification of these parameters are included in SEDA’s capabilities of launching this small business into larger markets. Members could assist the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative by ensuring that the co-op complies with governmental regulations, collaborating to structure the business (specialization, management, book-keeping, etc.), and connecting with markets. SEDA’s expertise in helping small enterprises with various business development aspects from product identity to personnel training could provide the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative with an invaluable resource and local network of business support.

DTI’s role:Similar to SEDA, the Business Development Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry could work with the Mukondeni Pottery Cooperative to catalyze operations and appeal to a broader market. They are willing to collaborate with SEDA, UNIVEN, and other stakeholders interested in the project while providing guidance in regard to federal protocols and procedures given their working relationship with the government of South Africa. Examples of programs that DTI could contribute to the project include developing cooperative incentive schemes and events which would exhibit the product across the region.

Community Engagement: (these points were gleaned from the meeting): Specialization, focus will benefit the project overall Making sure the women maintain ownership of the co-op Involvement of additional groups should not disempower the co-op Competing objectives could overwhelm beneficiaries Consciousness of the dynamics must be maintained Assist the women or praise them for their work; encouragement Too many focus groups and questions can be overwhelming Compartmentalization is dangerous

Documents

reCOVER South Africa Summer Report