Housing in Southern Africa July 2016

Housing

in the near future. However, based on our experience in Africa, we are familiarwith theprocess of generating functional and performance-based specification documents, which are largely based on British or European standards. For example, rather than specifying a branded product, the specification needs to describe how the product must perform and what

market. Furthermore, the complex is fully equipped to provide backup power and water to all units. Since power supply can be unreliable, each unit has the ability to be fitted with an inverter. Water tanks installed around the complex are able to pro- vide 1 200 litres of water a day to each household for three full days in the event of a water supply problem. The team even had to provide for proper sewage disposal from the site, which has been done by mean s o f sharing a prop- erly designed m i n i s ewa ge treatment plant with a neighbouring development. Whilst MWCA has undertaken all the conceptual and design work on The Edge, the full professional team in Uganda also includes a local archi- tect of record, as required by law. This architectural firm, SASA, headedby Dr Kenneth Ssemwogerere, is actively involved in daily site management. Cole reports that theworking process as a team has been smooth, comfort- able and collaborative. “We have had many workshop sessions together to ensure that everyone is able to implement best practices and towork optimally as a team,” he says. One of the aspects of the job, which hasneededmoreattentionthanusual, has been the development of generic specification documents for the con- tractor towork from. “Ugandadoesn’t currently have legislated building codes, although the authorities are working on implementing something

materials it must be made of,” he elaborates. While projects such as this may not afford archi- tects from South Africa the com- fort of the famil- iar systems and

‘Water tanks installed around the complex are able to provide 1 200 litres of water a day to each household for three full days in the event of a water supply problem.’

formulas, MWCA’s philosophy is that adaptability, flexibility and the will- ingness to learn ultimately make for a stronger practice all round. He says that old and accepted ideas can be challenged, “whilst ev- eryone involved in a project has the opportunity to broaden their knowl- edge.” It is clear that this approach, combined with the firm’s long-estab- lished reputation in the residential market has served it well. While The Edge is progressing smoothly, the company has since been appointed by the same client to undertake an- other residential development near Lake Victoria. MWCA has positioned itself well to be able to take on a wide variety of work for a range of clients in different sectors. The company is now at a size where it is willing and able to take on projects large and small and retain relationships with long-standing clients. ■

The Edge requires a fair-sized court- yard area inwhich residents can cook. Since the process tends to generate a lot of wastematerial, it was necessary toprovide awaste area for every block in the complex, rather than just one for the entire complex. “The client, Henry Lubwama, wanted to develop something special on the site,” says Cole. There is not much in the way of original develop- ment in Kampala at the moment. There is a great deal of replication, and residential complexes tend not to be well planned or to accommodate Ugandan lifestyles.” The development consists of three residential blocks and a clubhouse. Amenities include a children’s play- ground and jogging track as well as an entertainment area. The residen- tial blocks are between four and six storeys in height, and are served by elevators. “The client has undertaken to im- prove the road to the complex at his own expense. This includes surfacing the roads (which are otherwise dirt), managing storm water runoff, and planting pavements. Unlike in South Africa, this is not expected of develop- ers in Uganda,” says Cole. The Edge has been designed to appeal to the young andmiddle class

July 2016