Where are we now
The design of the Masterplan is in development, with pro-bono Structural, Civil and M&E engineering being carried out by UK experts. The first building has received provisional planning permission, pending the submission of a structural construction set, which the team are compiling. Beehive's Construction team have begun site mobilisation this week.
We have use of construction equipment from Beehive’s Plant and Vehicle Hire enterprise. Beehive's Hydraform team will produce all blocks for the campus. We have ongoing finanical support from corporate sponsors, however, this has been impacted by Covid. We are looking to diversify our funding streams through grants and our ‘Give a Brick’ scheme.
An indication of our team’s capacity:
60% funding already raised
72% expertise already found
60% materials / equipment already found
20% builders already found
Finance: € 3,000
We need approximately 60,000 Hydraform blocks to complete the first building and atleast 10 times that to complete the Technology and Enterprise campus. We are launching our 'Give a Brick' scheme that will enable us to fund the production of these eco-blocks. Hydraform blocks are a sustainable alternative to bricks, as many trees are burnt to make local bricks, fueling Malawi's deforestation problem. Instead, we use a small amount of cement and subsoil that needs no burning. Each block costs €0.22 to make and helps keep Beehive's Hydraform team in employment. The €3000 from AD partners would enable us to make 13636 blocks - 23% of all blocks needed to construct the first building.
Skills: Design
We have an amazing team of local and international experts supporting the development of the Beehive Technology and Enterprise Campus. There are, however, a couple of gaps in our skill set that we want to fill. These are:
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
The Masterplan is designed around a series of courtyard gardens. The advice of a Landscape Architect would be invaluable in helping us develop these into a series of unique outdoor learning spaces, which staff and the community can enjoy. We are also keen to integrate local ecology into their design, to minimise the developments impact on wildlife. Landscape Architects are rare in Malawi, so it is necessary to seek advice from someone outside the country. They will, however, be able to work with Beehive's Gardening team who can advise on local plant species.
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT / MECHANICAL ENGINEER:
Our ambition is to develop a sustainable development that looks to use environmentally- friendly materials and energy sources. Beehive’s existing campus is powered by a solar array, with a battery storage system. We are aware, however, that batteries become hazardous waste at the end of their life, and we want to avoid this at the Technology and Enterprise Park through the creation of a mechanical power storage system. We are looking to work with an Engineer who can advise us on its design.
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