Day: Three

On the recommendation of our trusted contractor and friend, Shilla, we were invited to tour the Mega Woodcraft factory. We were told this factory produced pre-fabricated wall panels, which of course, stirred great interest for us.

The factory was located deep off the paved road, meaning much of the drive would require jostling over the sometimes comically large potholes and dips that are found throughout the city. We have been told that we are in the meaty section of the rainy season in East Africa which, combined with the primitive drainage systems throughout many of the neighborhoods, creates impromptu streams that pass easily down the worn tire tracks in the road.

As we passed through the gates of the factory, it was clear this was an innovative business based on construction, technology, and thoughtful planning. Our hosts Anthony, an established engineer with factories throughout Malaysia and China, and Shabbir, a stately and well respected Tanzanian businessman, greeted us and welcomed us into their factory. The sign on the large factory door read "EPS". Talvy, like a kid reading the box of a new toy, said to himself "expanded polystyrene", gaining instant approval from Anthony who nodded knowingly to us all as we entered the doors. The factory was pristine [somewhat a rare phenomenon in Africa]. With Anthony's expert knowledge, he lead us through each stage of the production process; the potential of their product, combined with our design, solidified the importance of this meeting. The factory was producing, what is in essence, a SIPS [structural insulated wall panel] system. Layered between two sections of concrete is a board of the EPS...on top of producing the insulation, Anthony is fabricating these sandwhich wall panels! This is a welcome innovation and technology that we are planning on incorporating in the SEED design.

After the factory tour we were invited to the office building for further discussions of their product and philosophy. We learned Shabbir's only intention in building this factory was to create a building material that could be used to provide quality housing for the "common man", a dream he said he has held for over three decades. The office meeting, which we imagined would be a 30 minute overview of their product, grew to an over two hour meeting bonding the two teams together in both technology and vision. A follow-up meeting was set for later in the week to further discuss how our ideas could grow together under our common idea of affordable housing for Africa.

Cleanliness is one of many things that Antony and Shabbir won't compromise.

It's structural, it's insulated, it's fantastic!

Secret ingredient in the Expanded Polystyrene [pssst... it's unexpanded polystyrene]

Day: Two

In order to better facilitate innovation and budget we needed to know about current building methods and materials and their strengths and weaknesses. When we asked Shilla to take us to some of his current construction projects he eagerly agreed to do so.

We could see the contented pride he has for his work as he took us to each site. His beaming face revealed enthusiasm for his ability to provide quality construction. As we discussed material possibilities and ways to improve construction his careful contemplation also expressed deep interest in innovation.

Construction methods here are primitive. Power tools are rare, even non-existent. Everything is done on-site and by hand using things you might find in your grandpa's shed. Materials are raw and unrefined. Concrete and block provide structure with the occasional hand-built truss. Plaster and tile comprise most of the finishes. Gypsum board is available but not often used. Corrugated metal is the preferred choice for roofing. All in all good materials, but inefficient in many ways.

Shilla's construction experience covers a diverse range of projects.

Construction bracing and scaffolding. OSHA approved!

Day: One

Mambo vipi! We've had an amazing first, non-jet lagged day in Dar es Salaam. Within our first hour of setting foot on his native Tanzanian soil we met our partner and contractor, Shilla. Shilla is the genuine article: a man who has noble vision and a humble passion to pursue it.

Before we even had time to drop off our bags at our three week destination Shilla whisked us to his restaurant [well, it's actually a bar of class acts] to enthusiastically introduce us to 'Maisha Bora', his construction company. Maisha Bora, translated from Swahili to mean 'A Better Life', is also a concept and philosophy that Shilla wants to plant in the hearts of what he calls 'the average African man'.

In complete harmony SEED and Maisha Bora have the goal to help the average man provide for himself a sense of pride through ownership and health through uncompromising design and construction.

Discussing possibilities (left to right: Matt, Gwilla, Talvy, Justin, Shilla)

Overlooking one of Shilla's many projects in his neighborhood.

Planting SEED

Yes, our little team has arrived in Africa. We must apologize for the delay in our posts. As you might imagine, internet can be a tricky thing to come by in a third world country. However, we've found a suitable way to get connected with the digital world so posts will be coming at a much more acceptable rate.

Our Neighborhood

what is SEED?

SEED starts with a problem...each year, 70 million people in developing countries move to cities in search for a more prosperous life. nearly all this growth has been driven by the raw force and determination of people to build better lives, and has occurred in the absence of official city planning. this has resulted in poor access to water, sanitation, and affordable housing.

SEED is a unit of dwelling and innovative building system that is designed to be scalable, affordable, dignified, and rapidly constructable. utilizing passive design elements, such as large overhangs to create shade for the house and external courtyards, to more active elements like rain water collection, the SEED unit forms a self-sustaining architecture as a single family residence. corridors between units allow light and circulation, as well as pre-planned utility runs for every unit, enabling a preemptive stance to future services. each SEED aids in the construction of other SEEDS; creating community and exponentially evolving growth.

this blog begins with our journey to dar es salaam, tanzania in our exploration for developing the SEED design; this includes, but is not limited to material development, building system technology/assembly, spacial configuration and function, and human need.