Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Update 21st July

The Great Bure: A proposal for the tribe

The consensus here in Fiji is that after water, the tribe’s first goal should be to build a community structure that is the centre-piece of island living. The advice is that we build a large bure (18 yards by 9 yards) on the flat open space near the beach to the West of the Chief’s houses. I have asked the boys to do some sketches of what this might look like and how we might construct it. I will post these sketches and pictures at the start of next week.

The great tribal bure would be somewhere to sleep, eat, shelter and meet. It would be made out of completely natural materials: Mangrove wood, stones (for foundation), sand, bamboo, reeds, rope and straw which would all be sourced locally. Tui Mali is meeting the heads of the villages (who will source the materials) next Thursday. If we agree to go ahead with this as the first part of the tribal accommodation project we could have the materials and foundations in place for September 1st. The first footers would then join about 30 villagers in the construction of this Great Bure. It is estimated it would take up to 1 month to complete. In the meantime we would provide temporary accommodation for the first footers. It will be the tribe’s first great challenge!

I would like to propose the construction of this great Bure for the following reasons:

1. We need some main shelter for tribe members in place as quickly as possible – this gives the opportunity to plan and prepare the materials in time for the first footers arrival on Vorovoro
2. We will not need architectural designs as we have the people of Mali who are experts in Bure building
3. Once built we can then look to spend more time focusing on designing other types of accommodation for tribe members
4. The Great Bure build will generate great interest during the first month of the tribe on Vorovoro, this will attract more members and interest in tribewanted. Visually it will be exciting and with many hands we will be able achieve something quickly.

Anyone who thinks there are other ideas that we could implement faster and more efficiently than the Great Bure please put them forward to us now and we will consider them in a vote next week alongside this idea.

The Goal

To build simple, non-permanent and ecologically sound accommodation for up to 100 tribe members to stay in at anyone time.

The Challenge

What kind of accommodation should we build? Have we got any green architects in the tribe? Where on the island is best to build? Would we like accommodation for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 tribe members at a time? How long will it take to build? What kind of shelter will tribe members stay in until the accommodation is completed?

The Debate

We will be sending details from Fiji about the land on which we will be building our tribal village, including where tribal accommodation can and cannot be built and what resources are realistically available in Fiji.

What would you like to stay in?

Accommodation links to check out:

http://www.monolithic.com/thedome/ecoshells/