Ghana: Nka Foundation announces a call for entries to its 10X10 SHELTER CHALLENGE for 2012-2013

June 4, 2012 - PRLog -- 10X10 SHELTER CHALLENGE
Design-Build Camp in Ghana

WHAT: Design-build camp for learning-by-doing in African architecture
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Open to all students and graduates of design, architecture, art, engineering and schools interested in rural community projects in Africa
WHERE: Abetenim Arts Village, 20 kilometers from Kumasi in Ashanti Region of Ghana
DATE:  
         • October 1-30, 2012
         • February 10-March 10, 2013
         • May 1-30, 2013
         • July 7-August 7, 201
         • October 3-31, 2013
DEADLINE: No fixed deadlines (applications are accepted until all spots are filled)
AWARDS: GH¢ 200.00 per project for materials. Organizers will also provide free accommodation. International participant will be responsible for own airfare and subsistence.


DESIGN CHALLENGE
This is a site-based design challenge for learning-by-doing in African architecture. The challenge is to design and build a shelter of this dimension: 10 feet by 10 feet. The shelter should suggest a relationship between art and architecture by maximum use of local materials. The site is Abetenim Arts Village in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.  The design-build adventure proffers a change in the way young creative practitioners think about their work and our interconnected world. For students, it is a unique opportunity to learn to design what is build-able to make a well rounded graduate. For the professionals, you will find the hands-on design and construction experience a pause from your office work stress to rediscover the rudiments of architecture and nuances that can refresh your practice.


10X10 CONCEPT
By 10x10 Shelter Challenge, we imply the design-build of a unit of a modular system composed of workshops / learning centers that are connected together for community arts programme. The unit should last for at least 30 years. The structure can be of any height.  It may incorporate recycled/reused materials such as discarded plastics, bottle caps, car parts and machine parts - the list is endless.  It can be biomorphic, geometric or something in between, but a part of the interior space should be 10 feet x 10 feet or 100 square feet.  Join us!  Let’s generate choices for those who say they are economically underprivileged despite the abundance of local resources.


CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Teams and individuals from around the world are invited to participate in the10x10 Shelter Challenge. The 10x10 participant is expected to keep a process journal involving process notes, sketches, photographs, or video to generate a DVD about the camp, or another creative means to disseminate the experience. The design-build challenge is organized by Nka Foundation. All designs and ideas will be published and shared on nkafoundation.org. Organizers will provide free accommodation in our arts village setting, and a mini-award of GH¢ 200.00 per project for materials. Food is €5 per day.  International participant is responsible for costs of own airfare and proposed project. We suggest that participants apply for travel grants through their national art councils or other sources.


APPLICATION
Project is open to all serious applicants.  There are no fixed deadlines; applications are considered until all spots are filled to the maximum of 13 persons per camp. To apply e-mail your CV, drawings of project you are proposing, and date you are applying to info@nkafoundation.org. A school or an organization may apply as a group and fill up a camp session, and may request some modification to fit their context. For additional information on our previous projects go www.nkafoundation.org.


PROJECT SITE  
The project site is Abetenim Arts Village in Ejisu-Juaben District, 20 kilometres from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The site is a flat land along a main road from Juaben. The top soil is red earth mixed with gravel. The population of Abetenim consists of peasant farmers, small scale traders and craft persons.  Recently, the Abetenim D/A Primary School expanded to include a junior secondary school.  The Ejisu-Juaben District has four semi-urban settlements that are Ejisu, Juaben, Besease and Bonwire.  In Ejisu-Juaben District and environs, there are cultural sites such as Bomwire Kente Village, Ntonso Cloth Printing Village, Ahwia Carving Centre, Bobiri Forest Reserve/ Butterfly Sanctuary, and the cultural centres of the historic city of Kumasi.