Posts
East Timor Women Australia (ETWA) is a Melbourne based, not for profit organisation and run by volunteers. They provide and organise community oriented programs to support East Timorese women, particularly in the handcrafts industry. They aim to give women the opportunity to make real the benefits of sustainable handcrafts enterprises and, through the richness of weaving, help them maintain cultural integrity.
Three community weaving centres are proposed on 3 separate sites in remote villages on the eastern tip of the island of Timor Leste. Two centres will be located in the mountainous sub-district of Iliomar, in the villages of Fuat and Cainliu, and one in the flatlands of central Los Palos. The Architects for Peace probono team was first approached in April 2009. Debra Salvagno and Taryn Lane, representatives of ETWA, embarked on their annual weaving tour shortly afterwards and at the same time gathered site and land information for these building projects. ETWA is now in the process of drafting a design brief including a design information package with maps, site photos and information on local building technology and materials, for the future architect's reference.
ETWA has received support for materials from Rotary and is also working with the Alternative Technology Association to raise funds for solar panels in the three community weaving centres.
The draft design brief will be ready by October and we look forward to proceeding to the next stage of this fascinating project.
Our next step will be to advertise for pro bono service providers with expertise in sustainable building design. Although we are only at an early stage in the process, this is an exciting project that we hope will ultimately help to start a new chapter in the lives of the East Timorese women in these remote villages.
Queries of this project can be emailed to probono@architectsforpeace.org
photos courtesy : ETWA
19.10.09
Timor-Leste's weaving centres
20.5.09
Fitzroy Learning Network
Fitzroy Learning Network (FLN) is a not-for-profit organisation that offers Refugees and newly arrived migrants a safe and welcoming environment to help with their transition to life in Australia. FLN offer numerous educational and social programs as well as provide practical support to help them achieve this. They also offer programs and support services to help marginalised or disadvantaged members of our community.
They have received funding to renovate a kitchen, toilet facility and storage area in their back hall as well as adding acoustic insulation to a small music studio where they conduct their after school youth education program. The back hall is a multi purpose space which is used as a classroom, a computer training room as well as a meeting room and function space. The kitchen is used daily by about 45 students to prepare morning tea and is used as a back up kitchen when they have to cater for large events that they hold several times a year. The current toilet is in a bad state and is used as an overflow storage area. They hope to have a usable toilet so the back hall will become a fully serviced space which could be hired out in the future. They re looking for innovative and energy efficient ways to renovate these spaces.
The budget is $50,000 with an option to increase if FLN are able to raise the funds. They are looking for someone to do an initial design proposal and ideally oversee the project to the contract admin stage. There is a 12 month timeline for the project but they would like to start construction in September to line up with the school holidays when building work will not interrupt the classes.
Please email your expressions of interest as well as a CV detailing any similar or relevant project experience to Kalli at kalli@architectsforpeace.org
19.3.09
Laverton Community Centre + Neighbourhood House
LCCNH is a not for profit Neighbourhood House managed by the local community. It offers family support, social and educational activities to all sectors of the local community, especially disadvantaged community group.
LCCNH applied for a community grant to assist them in upgrading their current premises. They currently operate from a small house with minimal storage and inadequate space for their 5 staff members. The rear of the house contains classrooms where adult training is provided. Courses include cooking, English language and computer skills. .jpg)
A pro bono service providor was required to assist LCCNH with their grant application. Architects for Peace Pro Bono assisted in matching two applicants, Brad Hooper & Brooke Thorne, to assist with the grant application. Brad Hooper (director of Brad Hooper Architect) and Brooke Thorne (interior designer & lecturer at Swinburne University) formed a team and worked with the client to produce initial concept drawings and an opinion of probable costs for the project.
The client was then able to incorporate these documents into their grant application. The grant application was submitted at the start of March 2009 and we are awaiting a response.
The team that was formed between Brad and Brooke was a great example of how architecture & design firms can team up with graduates and students to support each other and help provide pro bono services. The skills of both service providors complimented each other. As well as being an architect, Brad's previous experience as the Chair of the Management Board at the Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House meant that he understood the complexities of such projects and organisations. Brooke's passion for pro bono work, interior design background and drawing skills assisted in providing design input and relevant drawings to the client.
