Many of you know that I was up to my eyebrows last year in an African project (Angola, to be precise), and several people have asked me what’s happening with that, I thought I’d give a small update.
The building project itself is continuing, although it keeps changing directions. I can’t say how much of that is due to the characters who are in charge and how much is due to the fact that it’s Africa. The team that I trained prepared 2 houses in a modular version of conventional framing, we sent them to Angola and assembled them, together with a small army of locals.
Here’s a link to some pics of the first house. Sorry that the site is only in Portuguese, but the photos give some idea of the house.
http://www.barradodande.com/house_diamond_3d_a.php
As the first 2 houses were completed things took a turn south as far as my personal relations with the bosses were concerned, and since the job requirements were being redefined as well, I’ve been continuing to follow the project as a consultant only on all matters concerning wood.
It’s all fine with me. The money was very good in a year that didn’t have many other bright lights. I actually need to go back to Angola right now, but only for about 10 days. They’ve got a 6-head Weinig molder which needs some “finessing” to get it to make a bunch of new profiles that are needed. So if I “disappear” from cyberspace for a while it’s ’cause I’m holed up with a large molder in a desolate god-forsaken hole somewhere.
Thanks to all who inquired about this adventure. Who knows, it might still have a new chapter…?
David Ring
Replies
How did they wind up dealing with the termites?
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Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
~ Denis Diderot
Chemical warfare. But to a great extent they've changed the system using construction timbers to steel because of the termites. The finish carpentry - siding, decking, windows, etc. are hardwoods that are less tasty, and they get drenched with borates. But the owner's most important ammunition is to keep his fingers crossed and not think about it today. He's got 20 urgent things to deal with, why worry about something that might happen later? (All part of why I've stepped away from the project).regards,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
Steel IS GOOD.. And then protection for the wood!
David..
why worry about something that might happen later? (All part of why I've stepped away from the project).
I wonder.. NOT what I think about you? I think better en' that!
Will, I was being sarcastic. It drove me up the wall that I was working out logistical problems far ahead while the owner couldn't see as far as tomorrow.David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
David.... I thing I understood you original post... Maybe?
I am sure you left there with good thoughts to the project.. Insects are killers of anything eatable!
It looks quite beautiful and very very expensive. It is not quite what I was expecting for a house in Africa, but I suppose that says a lot about my perceptions of Angola. The last housing project I saw for Africa was a group who was trying to hit the opposite end of the economic spectrum building houses in South Africa for less than something ridiculous like $2,000 a piece. And for basic shelter, they actually came close proposing a community that tried to accommodate special needs of the local population. But this project seems intended as a European get-a-way where land is still available.
You're quite right about the nature of this project. Diamonds and oil have put obscene, I repeat, obscene amounts of money in the hands of very few Angolans, and they have absolutely nothing to spend it on in their own country. Add to that the fact that it's a pristine coast that will sooner or later be a haven for Europeans looking for an accessible tropical getaway. The 2 model houses we built are set on a portion of land that has 6 km of uninterrupted beachfront. The last 30 years have seen wars of such brutality that it kept everyone away, but the entrepreneurs with "balls of steel" (pardon the expression but I couldn't think of any other way to put it) are already in motion. If you've got vision, patience, and endurance, it's going to pay off one way or another.David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
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