JISC Design Competition 2020 Book

Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Building Material Application
Stone is employed for the foundation walls due to its abundance in Jos North and its durability. Due to
the temperate climate for most part of the year in the Plateau state, compressed earth brick provides thermal
confort. Facing bricks is used as the wall finishing material due to its less need for frequent maintenance, reduced
cost of heating and cooling, and aesthetics quality. Timber and thatch are used for the suspended ceiling system.
Corrugated aluminium roofing sheets and well treated timber roof system is used for the butterfly and shed
roofs. Well treated timber is used as screen walls and sculptured columns.
Oven baked clay tiles are used as floor finish on cement screed floor. Timber and glass are used for horizontal
pivoted windows, while steel and timber are used for doors. Used kerosene lanterns are innovatively used
as suspended lighting pendants/chandeliers. Stone pebbles and shrubs are used to landscape the perimeter of
the building.
Sustainability
Renewable sources of energy (photovoltaic panels) are used to generate power. Stormwater is harvested
into underground reservoirs via the roof gutters, which passes through three separate filters. Septic tanks are
shared between two households in order to cut cost and save space.
Vertical gardens are placed around the externals of the kitchen walls in order to increase thermal comfort
and air quality, and also a daily source of fresh vegetables for the household. Wall creepers are planted on screen
walls and timber wall trellis in order to increase privacy and sieve the inflow air. Thatch is also used as an additional
thermal insulation and aesthetic material.
Construction Method
The Modular and Frame structure method of construction is employed for easier and faster delivery of
housing. Foundation trenches are dug using manual labour to a Civil Engineer’s satisfactory depth. Concrete is
used for foundation footing, and stones are used for foundation walls. Industrial nylon is used as Damp proof
membrane, after compacting the hardcore.
Reinforced concrete columns are erected at strategic points and compressed earth bricks are laid to lintel
level (while taking note of the various fenestrations). Reinforced concrete lintel is then casted. Compressed earth
brick is then laid to the wall plate level. Timber roof system is then assembled and anchored to the wall plate.
Corrugated aluminium roofing sheets are then carefully laid on the purlins and rafter with the aid of nails. Concrete
is used for underground reservoir.
JINKAI Initiative Shelter Competition
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