The Saces Alternatives workshop

Alternative accomodation was the theme dealt with by six groups of students and architects at the 2003 SACES (Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering Students) workshop.

This is the third annual workshop held by Saces, the 2001 version, Ecologic, was an ecological approach to a historical site - the Ospizio, while last year's, Strategic, dealt with a sustainable approach to Fort St Angelo.

The 2003 workshop, Alternatives, held at Golden Sands Hotel in November, looked at industrial waste as a source to build a shelter of any form - an alternative to construction and industrial waste.

The first problem most of the students faced was the actual collection of waste from manufacturing industries. Most of their waste such as plastic and metal is either sold or ground to be melted again locally or sent abroad.

Apart from cardboard, wooden pallets and boxes, and tyres, most of the materials needed was construction waste; the actual waste collected or found on site. During the three-day workshop students and architects worked together to find a way to reuse and/or recycle construction waste.

For the three day before the workshop, six groups made up of ten students and two architects started meetings to discuss what they were going to produce and understand what to do with the materials provided, bearing in mind that they had to come up with an alternative to a shelter.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment George Pullicino, Faculty of Architecture Dean Professor Denis De Lucca, Chamber of Architects president Lawrence Mintoff, and Winston Zahra on behalf of the Island Hotels Group, were present for the inauguration.

Saces is a non-profit University organisation whose mission is to provide a service to the students reading for architecture and civil engineering. Apart from providing past-papers and organising exhibitions to show their work to the public, they are going to start monthly site visits as well as starting a products library in conjunction with the faculty.

Saces would like to thank the committee who gave their all for the workshop to be a success, as well as their sponsors: Vassallo Builders Group; HSBC; the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment; Bonnici Bro Ltd; the Ministry of Infrastructure; University of Malta; Bitmac; Hal Mann; Clayton Communications; Nescafe; Light Sound Visions; Infocus; WKD; and Farsons.

Group 1

Being faced with the challenge of needing to create a shelter from scrap material was already food for thought, but when the added restriction that it had to be portable was introduced, our imagination was set loose.

So from a joke, the human hamster became reality. With the extensive use of wood, from old pallets, to the roof of an old film set, to the actual partitions between rooms, the idea of a circular hut evolved. The two main sides were built of strips of wood placed side by side, with defined gaps on one side to act as windows and capture the sea views.

The other side also had some small windows and the door, which also acted as a shading device. In making the door we used old fridge hinges and a lock. The two structural sides were then attached to one another with strips of wood that acted like slats. Material was then used in the inside to make compartments and also a bed in the form of a hammock.

Once the door was closed, and the hammock moved to the side, the 1.8m diameter cylindrical shelter was ready for use.

Group 4

Our workshop's aim was to provide a suitable shelter for one person which was easily constructed, made up of recyclable materials, and could be easily transported.

The structure's form was derived from the shape of a crash helmet, the idea being that since a helmet provides protection for a cyclist, our structure could provide protection to its user. The primary materials used were plastic pipes, denim, plastic bottles and chicken wire.

The shelter was made up of light-weight materials, which could be easily transported. The shelter consisted of plastic bottles, which were assembled together using wire to form a dome like frame.

Denim, chicken wire and plastic bottles were used as infilling panels. The plastic bottles could be filled up with water to render the structure heavier.

Architects Mark Borg and Antoine Zammit helped the team of students during the three-day workshop.

Group 5

Building a shelter: But what is a shelter? What is it sheltering us from? The main concerns considered were: solar exposure, prevailing winds and precipitation, intruders and Earth itself.

So the concept of constructing a tetrahedron was conceived, the proposal complemented also the triangular room on which it was assembled. Using waste material each plane treats one of the challenges: the south-facing façade is louvred - Sun; wind exposure agitates the north-westerly side's polythene flakes - Wind; the entrance is shielded - intruders; the base is insulated - Earth, all sides exclude precipitation.

By means of ropes all faces can be opened to satisfy the user's needs. When the planes are opened an amazing unobstructed sea view awaits the guest.

Group 6

Architect Claude Mallia, Warren, Mark, Piotr, Jason, Chris, Sarah, Rosanne, Lisa, Nikki and Stephanie, teamed up for a weekend under the name of Team KBIR for the SACES Alternatives workshop. The theme was alternative - alternative use of objects and recycling of waste materials to produce shelters.

Our team took this idea a step further, and extended these concepts on to life itself. By taking advantage of the marvelous site, the workshop plays with meta-phors about today's chaotic life in contrast with that of nature.

This was achieved through a simple linear experience; from a dark unstable box built out of two wardrobes and a bridge. Crossing over the land-water interface to a very stable platform over the waves.

The effect was accentuated with little details, the rocking floor of the first chamber, accompanied by sounds of drums, the foam of the waves dying on the sand under the bridge, and a portal at the end of the path which frames the setting of the sun.

Opening the door that leads onto the bridge was described by many who have tried the experience as overwhelming in its simplicity. However few people completed the journey and took the plunge from the platform, they rejected the option of an alternative, pure lifestyle.

Team KBIR took the plunge!

(Groups 2 and 3 did not submit a report)