JISC Design Competition 2020 Book

Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
make them feel more at home. As is traditional to northern Nigeria, the toilet facilities are located at the back of
the house which is the root of its name “bayan gida”. Located about 15 meters away from the main building to
control odor and offer some degree of privacy to the users. Composting toilet was chosen for its low construction
and maintenance costs, low water consumption rate and the fact that it is used to produce fertilizer for the crop
farm nearby. Provisions were also made for livestock and crop farming as it is the predominant occupation of
the local residents. Water needs are catered for with the provision of 500 liter water storage. This ensures that
cooking, cleaning and washing needs are well taken care of. A ground water well is also provided closer to the
farm for irrigation purposes.
Using materials available in the region, this modular project addresses major construction challenges
with the use of simple yet effective design and construction techniques. The first step involves the sub structure,
which are basically short concrete columns for adequate structural support. Once the reinforced perimeter
foundations are set, broken bricks and stones are gathered to constitute the elevated floor. The structural walls
are primarily from compressed earth bricks (CEB), and are essentially finished with mud plaster within the
interior spaces for thermal control.
Metal roofing sheets are used because they are essential for gathering rain water effectively, as well as
providing a safe and dry living space beneath it. Wooden structural members are also used to provide structural
support for the roof, as well as a thin insulation layer of discarded fabric for sound and heat insulation. Parapet
walls are raised to conceal the roof and plastic bottles are utilized to construct scupper drains for effective
roof drainage as well as ensuring adequate rain water collection. Religious beliefs are also incorporated with
inscriptions and decorative motif designs are made on the entrance walls as a way of signifying their religious
inclination.
Finally, while ensuring a suitable home is provided, adequate attention was also paid towards the cost
implication, as the building was made to not only be sustainable, but also cost friendly. Bulk of the building
materials is locally sourced (Compressed earth bricks, plastic bottles, natural mud plaster), and the labour
is supplied by the community, which sees the total construction cost drop within the range of 2million – 2.5
million naira (about $5000). The substructure and the roofing bear the bulk of the cost, as they involve concrete,
aluminum roofing sheets and skilled man power to ensure the structural stability of the building. From
calculation, about 1.5million naira goes into the construction of the sub structure and the roof members. The
remaining budget is just about enough to take care of other construction aspects like external works, drainage,
water supply and the animal pen. Other elements such as furniture, wall finishes (mud plaster), decorative
wall motifs are done from readily available materials and do not require skilled labour. Hence community
involvement is at a maximum, and cost implication is at a minimum.
Jury Comments
The project was well connected to place, exhibiting thoughtful floor plans, homage to vernacular
architecture and attention to sustainability. The design is culturally sensitive and elegantly simple. Overall, the
scheme was visually strong and well communicated graphically.
JINKAI Initiative Shelter Competition
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