SOS Children's Village Construction Guidelines.pdf

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

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SOS CHILDREN‘S VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES II FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN‘S VILLAGE FACILITIES

CONTENTS

EXPLANATION TO THE REVISED VERSION INTRODUCTION BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL

1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

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GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN‘S VILLAGE FACILITIES Introduction General conditions for SOS Children’s Villages General conditions for SOS Kindergartens General conditions for SOS Hermann-Gmeiner-Schoo Hermann-Gmeiner-Schools ls General conditions for SOS Social Centres Technical construction construction conditions conditions for the construction of SOS Children’s Village Village facilities

2.1 2.2

CONSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE REALISATION OF SOS CHILDREN‘S VILLAGE FACILITIES Introduction Graphic procedure

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FORMS

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10

Five Year Construction Construction Plan Pla n Project Proposal New Construction and Extension Project Proposal Proposa l Renovation Renovat ion Project Proposal Purchase Project Proposal FIFA Construction Site Checklist Project Accompanying Table and Construction Report Contract Checklist Checkli st Analyses of Offer Request for Construction Funds


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EXPLANATION TO THE REVISED VERSION

The last five years, since the introduction of the first version of our Construction Guidelines, have been characterized by a good, constructive constructive cooperation between the Regional Offices and the International Office regarding to the construction activities of SOS Children‘s Villages. Basis for this was the first version of the SOS Children‘s Village Construction Guidelines, where general conditions are documented and administrative procedures are embedded. Not only the necessary adjustment adjustment of some administrative procedures, procedures, due to the introduction introduction of our new Project Controlling Systems (PCS), but above all the experiences of the last years in the practical application of the Construction Construction Guidelines motivated motivated us to develop an improved version. The aim was to simplify the procedures system and the forms in a way, that only a minimum of information, which actually will be further processed, is recorded. This means, that all the information, which in fact was collected in the past years but was not further processed at all or rarely further processed, will be removed from the system. Thus, in the construction reports for example, the column „paid till now“ is dropped from now on, as this information is automatically shown in GLOBAL and therefore it is not necessary to double record it. Should any problems arise in the understanding understanding of the new „VERSION II“, please contact the Construction Commission via e-mail. We will be happy to assist you to solve problems and to eliminate misunderstandings. misunderstandings. We wish you much success and pleasure with the updated and simplified „VERSION II“, as it should make work easier and more efficient on both sides.

Construction Commission

February 2002


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INTRODUCTION BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL

SOS Children’s Villages have been dealing not only with the human development but also with the practical set-up of SOS Children’s Village facilities since 1949. We have gained a wide knowledge about construction and the running of our projects over the years. Much has been written about this field which can be summarised in the few simple words below: 1. We should already start thinking about the future when choosing a site. Only a locality, which is well integrated, can enable us to find a home for our children within sensible financial limits. 2. We work together with local architects for a good reason: to give each project a typical local component. But we must bear in mind that we cannot afford to experiment. 3. Our buildings should be simple and solid. They are designed to be used for a long time and they should be easily maintained. 4. The buildings should be planned with heard to give the feeling that they are a home. 5. The size and furnishings should be standardised. It must be possible for our children to be able to move out of these homes and integrate themselves into society without suffering a shock. We are in the lucky position to be able to look back on numerous successful projects all over the world. This should give us the incentive to create even more model projects. We also have to take into consideration the experiences we have gained from problem cases. The aim of these Construction Guidelines is first of all to aid the co-workers in the field, a list of the most important criteria for the construction and to provide a simple tool to control the project. The Construction Commission at the International Office of SOS-Kinderdorf International has also received the instructions to ensure that the contents of the guidelines are put to use all over the world. At the same time they have to follow the development of each project. In order for this to be successful, I know that I can rely on all co-workers involved in setting up the projects to give their full support. This will enable us to realise a construction standard, which is in line with the vision, mission and values of the SOS-Children’s Village organisation and which we all can be proud of. Our projects are houses in which our children live. They should feel as comfortable there as we would like to feel, if we were at their place.

Richard Pichler Secretary General


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GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE FACILITIES

This chapter can be passed on to the architect for his information and as a working document. The general guidelines for SOS Children's Villages apply to the areas of all rooms including side rooms, sanitary areas and circulation areas. Covered terrace areas are assessed with a factor of 0.5. Staircases and yards are not included. We request that specific reasons for any non-compliance with the general conditions be included in the Project Proposal.

1.1

INTRODUCTION

Our SOS Children's Village facilities should be designed in a simple, solid and practical manner. We should attempt, in any case, to use experienced local specialists (taking into consideration what resources are available in that country) to carry out the planning. The project should be awarded to a local building contractor. This is because it will keep costs to a minimum and the contractors will have the experience of using local building materials and methods. This also means that local workers will be involved from the start and it will make the integration of the SOS Children's Village into the community much easier. Whilst carrying out "simple" construction, it is absolutely necessary to make use of building materials locally available and of the typical technical methods for finishing. This is usually the most cost-effective method. It also means that local staff and specialists will be able to carry out repairs and maintenance themselves and, furthermore, that the local economy is being supported. Of course conforming construction should in no case be mistaken with “historising“ construction, which expresses itself by outdated and obsolete methods of construction and unnecessary and purely optical detail solutions. We are neither curators of monuments nor is it our mission to realise open-air museums.


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LIST OF THE DOCUMENTS AND PLANS TO BE PROVIDED AT THE PROJECT PLANNING STAGE OF SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE FACILITIES

Project planning cover sheet, which provides essential basic planning information for the project in standardised form. Layout plan (M = 1:500). If the site is on a slope, a topographic section is required. Floor plans of all buildings (M = 1:100) including furniture. Elevations (M = 1:100). Sections (M = 1:100). A section from roof to foundation, through a window, showing the materials to be used as well as the planned construction method (M = 1:20). If possible, an axonometric view of the whole project (can be done by hand!), giving an overall impression. Estimation of construction costs as in the "Project Accompanying Table" and “Construction Report“ (1st column).

FORMAL LAYOUT OF THE PROJECT PLANS

The size of the plans should be max. A3 (297 x 420 mm) The whole project planning should be bound or stapled in the order shown above.


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GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES

GENERAL SOS Children’s Villages are in the focus of the worldwide SOS Children‘s Village work. They provide orphaned and destitute children with a new and permanent home. At the same time the children receive an adequate education and a solid preparation for an independent life. They can stay in the SOS Children‘s Village until their independence. The children in the SOS Children’s Villages live with their SOS Mother and brothers and sisters (6 to 12 boys and girls of different ages) in their own house. Natural siblings are not separated. The SOS Children’s Village is run by a qualified Village Director who, together with the SOS Aunts and the educational staff, supports and advises the SOS Mothers. The village community is a valuable extension to the SOS family and serves as a link with the community. The people who live there play an active role in the local community. If possible, the children attend local schools and kindergartens.

BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR AN SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE 10-15 FAMILY HOUSES 1 SOS VILLAGE DIRECTOR'S HOUSE 1 COMMUNITY AREA SOS Aunt’s House Guest House 1 VILLAGE FACILITY Administration Multipurpose Building Workshop with Garage If required - one to three Co-workers Residences OUTDOOR AREAS PLAY AREAS SPORTS FIELDS


FAMILY HOUSE

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max. 130 m²

This is the most important building in the SOS Children's Village, because the children spend most of their time there. Therefore, it is of vital importance that these buildings are planned and built in a simple, modest, functional and solid manner. The SOS Mothers, who will live there, will most likely accept the family houses as their home if they have the opportunity to take part in the design of the interior (choice of wall paper, colours, floor coverings, furniture, basic household equipment, etc.).

Room Programme 1 Living/Dining area 1 Kitchen with larder 1 SOS Mother's room 2-3 Children's rooms 1 Bathroom area (2 toilets, 2 showers, wash basin) In cold regions where heating is necessary, an additional boiler room (4-6 m2 ) can be planned. In regions where food (potatoes, vegetables, and jams) is usually stored, an additional storeroom (4-6m2 ) can be planned.

SOS VILLAGE DIRECTOR'S HOUSE

max. 100 m²

The house, which is put at the disposal of the SOS Village Director and his family, should be designed to accommodate a family of four. Recent experience has shown that especially in African countries the families of SOS Village Directors are mostly larger than assumed so far. For this reason the net area of presently 90 m2 was increased to 100 m2 . The quality and standard of comfort should be the same as that of the family house. Room Programme 1 Living/Dining Area 1 Kitchen with larder 1 Bedroom 2 Children's rooms 2 Bathroom areas (1 toilet, 1 shower, wash basin), if, for cultural and religious reasons, gender separation is absolutely necessary, two sanitary areas can be planned.


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COMMUNITY AREA

SOS Aunt’s House

100 m² to a max. of 140 m²

This is the home for 4 to 7 SOS Aunts (depending on the number of families in the village). The emphasis there should focus on their living-together, as they eat their meals in the community area. It should be designed in the same manner as a family house but the sanitary facilities must be adapted as required. Room Programme 1 Living area with kitchenette 3-5 SOS Aunts' rooms 1 Guest toilet Sanitary unit (similar to family house) with two showers and two toilets. If required one-room-apartments with separate entrance for educators, nurses etc. In cold regions where heating is necessary, an additional boiler room (4-6 m2 ) can be planned. In regions where food (potatoes, vegetables, and jams) is usually stored, an additional storeroom (4-6m2 ) can be planned.

Guest House

60 m² to a max. of 80 m²

It should be possible to accommodate two to three guests there. It can be planned as a single building or it could be a part of the administration or of the aunt’s house. Room Programme 1 Living area with kitchenette 2-3 Guest rooms (with own small sanitary area each)


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VILLAGE FACILITIES

This area is made up of the buildings listed below, which can either be put together in one complex or designed as separate structures.

Administration

max. 130 m²

Offices, which are necessary for the running of the village (Village Director, management, educational) should be in there. A facility should be included where SOS aunts, staff and guests can eat and spend time together. Room Programme 4 Offices 1 Archive 1 Meeting room 1 Bathroom area (2 toilets, washbasin) 1 Kitchen 1 Dining room ( calculation of floor area for approximately 10 people). In case the possibility for undisturbed study and/or additional tuition shall be provided for the children in this house, an additional study (library) must be included in the plans ( max. net area for the study or library is 25 m²).

Multipurpose Building

max. 100 m²

The purpose of this building is to hold events and meetings organized by the SOS Children's Village itself and by people from t he community or outside persons. It should only be constructed if there is no other SOS Children's Village facility on the site, which has a meeting hall (Social Center, Kindergarten, etc.). In warmer regions the multipurpose building can be a simple, open building. Room Programme 1 Meeting hall 1 Sanitary unit (for ladies and gents, at least 2+2 toilets) 1 Store room


Workshop with Garage

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max. 60 m²

This is where the SOS Children's Village cars are kept. Facilities for small repair jobs of all types and the storage of various items should also be included. Room Program 1 Double garage 1 Workshop 1 Store room 1 Sanitary unit

Co-workers Residences

max. 80 m²

Single houses or buildings containing several units can be planned. It is also possible to integrate a co-workers unit into the workshop area. Room Program 1 Living/Dining area 1 Kitchen with larder 1 Bedroom 1 Children‘s room 1 Sanitary unit (1 toilet, 1 shower, wash basin)


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OUTDOOR AREAS We need to be very careful with the design of outdoor areas, as they strongly influence the character of an SOS Children‘s Village. Again the principles of modesty and simplicity apply to prevent the development of high maintenance parks, which stand out from the surrounding reality. The following guidelines for the planning and construction of outdoor areas shall be considered.

Streets, paths, places Generally, paved areas within the SOS Children‘s Village should be kept to a necessary minimum. Streets and parking spaces should end in the village entrance area at the administration. For the rest of the SOS Children’s Village pathways only would suffice. Only service vehicles, in exceptional cases or with unusually large deliveries, should enter the inside of the SOS Children‘s Village. The path layout ideally covers only the shortest possible connection between buildings, the design of places is modest and above all offers the children the possibility for unrestraint play and frolic. Seldom used amphitheatres, often built in the past, can be left out. All the same, every SOS Children‘s Village shall be equipped with a good playground based on educational principles, which can also be spread out over the entire SOS Children‘s Village in-so called play spots.

Plantings and parks It is best to develop around every family house a strip of garden, maintained by SOS Mothers and children, or a strip of well maintained beds. All other parks are simple lawns with trees, which are mowed or cut when necessary. In dry regions where hardly any natural vegetation exists, there is no need for lush artificially irrigated green to flower and flourish throughout our SOS Children‘s Villages. It is entirely sufficient to grow plants around the buildings, which are maintained by the users of the respective houses.


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PLAY AREAS IN THE SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES

This chapter was compiled in cooperation with a psychologist and an architect spezialised in this area. Therefore this new part of the Construction Guidelines is longer and more detailed.

The play area in the SOS Children‘s Village Children develop their physical, psychological and social skills in interaction with the environment. Thus play is not only a passtime for children but also a learning process for life. If we provide the children with play areas, which stimulate movement and the senses, we support their health, we support them emotionally and thus promote above all their self confidence.

A network of play areas or a central play area in the SOS Children‘s Village? Our standard plans within an SOS Children‘s Village mostly designated one central play area in the centre of the village. Experience however showed that play areas linked together, i.e. several smaller play areas distributed all over the entire SOS Children‘s Village, provide the possib ility for play in the whole SOS Children‘s Village and that this concept favours the creativity of the children far more.

Separation of the play area into a calm and an active zone within the central play area Play requirements of children depend on the ir age and also on their spontaneous desire and mood. Thus older ones sometimes feel the desire to play in active zones (=noisy zones) whereas the smaller ones more often feel well in quiet zones. The sports ground also belongs to the active play area and so we want at this point refer straight to the SOS Children‘s Village Guidelines for the construction of sports fields. This manual is also available on the intranet at the following address: http://intra.sos-kd.org/kdi/fieldsofwork/construction/manuals/pdfe/sportplcompl.pdf


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PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Central play area The separation into an active and a quiet zone should be stipulated already in the planning phase by the SOS Children Village Project Manager and by the architect. The noisy zone can be separated from the quiet zone by simply raising an earth wall during the initial construction works – the excavated material of the foundation trenches most of the time not needed can be used for this with other material. In case a constructed separation is not desired, a separation in form of a hedge can also be considered.

Network of individual play areas Several smaller play areas are distributed over the whole of the SOS Children‘s Village. Active and quiet zones are already separated from each other by this distribution and therefore no construction or gardening arrangements are necessary.

Chronological development of play areas It is important that shaded areas (planting of trees in the play areas) are prepared already during the initial construction phase and that part of the site will be left untouched. In this „wild area“ plants of all kind will grow naturally. In this area children should have the opportunity to discover, to play and to create without grown-ups interfering with this natural „play habitat“. Initially only a basic structure shall be created (earth wall as a separation, shaded areas and maybe a sandpit). When the first family houses will be occupied, a swing can be built in the active zone. All other play equipment, recesses and retreats will be implemented at a later stage together with the children and SOS Mothers. Drawings and details for play equipment will be available on SOS Intranet in 2003.

Which play areas/play equipment can be implemented after occupancy?

Separation area between active and quiet zone Small children‘s swings, a slide along the earth wall and if possible a water hole besides a sandpit for the small children (quiet zone) can be planned in the separation area. Active zone These zones will accommodate areas for intensive play, e.g. opportunities for elementary movement (swinging, turning, jumping, climbing and sliding) and ball games, and also meeting points for youths. Children and youths can be provided with opportunities for creative building in the simplest way by making empty crates, boards and tyres available to them.


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Quiet zone Sandpits and water play areas and possibilities to retreat in form of play houses, bush houses and seating areas for the parents can be offered in this area. Recesses and retreats Mysterious places and „wild areas“ are always very interesting for children/youths as there is nothing more beautiful than recesses, sma ll cabins and other hideaways, which may be even a little secluded from the play area itself. In terms of construction these hideaways are easy to create with hedges and bushes in the form of „tents“. The „wild area“, where plants and bushes grow wild and are able to develop without human intervention has also proved to be very important.

SPORT FIELDS

For assistance with planning and design of our SOS Children‘s Village sports fields we refer to the SOS Children‘s Village Sports Fields Guidelines. These are available on the intranet under http://intra.sos-kd.org/kdi/fieldsofwork/construction/manuals/pdfe/sportplcompl.pdf


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GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS KINDERGARTENS

GENERAL The first SOS Kindergartens were built at the same time as the first SOS Children‘s Villages in Europe, later also in Asia, Latin America and Africa. SOS children attend public kindergartens if possible. In regions with insufficient existing kindergartens and pre-school facilities, SOS Kindergartens are built. They contribute to the integration into the neighborhood and are open to the children of the surrounding areas. Therefore it would be ideal if they were situated in the public area of the SOS Children's Village and if they were easily accessible to all outsiders. For the children the SOS Kindergarten should be easy to become familiar with for the staff it should be easy to manage. It should have good lighting and should be easy to ventilate for everybody. The children do not need perfect or sophisticated furniture in order to be able to learn or gain experience in social behavior. It is much more important that they have a structured and stimulating environment, both in and outdoors.

ROOM PROGRAMME Classrooms Office area Halls and passage ways Activity or dining hall (if necessary)

THE CLASSROOMS The central point of each SOS Kindergarten is the classroom. This classroom, along with its storeroom, the toilets, the cloakroom and the halls and passageways constitute the so-called group unit. Guiding principles should be kept in mind when drawing up the plans: Each classroom should be big enough to hold up 25 to 35 children, but not exceed 50 m². A storeroom for toys and modeling equipment should be attached. Sanitary Area: 3-4 wash basins, 2 toilets and if necessary a shower should be provided for every 25 children. The two sanitary areas can be separated by gender. A kitchen with a larder should be planned if it is an all-day kindergarten.


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THE OFFICE AREA This area can be kept only small, as the director of the SOS Kindergarten will not spend much time there. The following should be included: 1 Director's office (as close as feasible to the entrance wherefrom it is possible to overlook the SOS Kindergarten). 1 Staff room with integrated kitchenette (for kindergartens with more than 3 groups and no dining facilities) 1 Staff toilet

ACTIVITY HALL If there is no multipurpose hall within the SOS Children's Village already, an activity hall can be accommodated in the SOS Kindergarten (with more than 3 groups). It should be restricted in size to 60 m². The shape should be kept as square as possible and the height of the room should be at least 3 m. The hall could be used also as dining hall.

HALLS AND PASSAGE-WAYS These areas serve as an inside meeting area for parents and children (e.g. waiting area for parents). 15 m² per group should be enough. Space for the cloakroom should also be planned there (0.2 m² per child). Should the climate conditions allow these areas to be outdoors, an open courtyard with an arcade is usually a good solution.


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GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS HERMANN GMEINER SCHOOLS

GENERAL SOS children attend public schools if possible. SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools are built where the infrastructure of the community to SOS Children‘s Villages does not feature sufficient school facilities. This is especially the case outside of Europe. The SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools should be simple and solid model schools, which set an pedagogical example. This means that the classes should have a maximum of 30 - 35 pupils with adequate and high quality rooms.

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Room Program Classroom units Sanitary units Office area Halls and passage ways Canteen for all day schools Sick bay (if required)

THE CLASSROOM UNIT The classrooms together with the halls and passageways, the storerooms, the cloakrooms and the toilets constitute a classroom unit. The classrooms and halls and passageways s hould be designed in a stimulating fashion. They should become communication rooms and meeting areas and thus form the hub of each SOS Hermann Gmeiner School. The following guidelines should be kept in mind when drawing up the plans: One classroom for every 30 - 35 pupils with the maximum area of 50 m². If required a storeroom for keeping various teaching equipment could be attached to each classroom. The individual cloakrooms should also be linked to each classroom if possible. Adequate light and cross-ventilation must be present in the classrooms. The area of the floor plan should ideally be a rectangle with the proportions of 3:5.


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SANITARY UNITS The following rules regarding toilet blocks, which for hygiene reasons (smell) should be free standing (provided the climate allows it), have proven to be best: One WC for every 25 pupils. In the boys' toilets, 60% of the WCs should be replaced by urinals, with one urinal replacing one WC. One wash basin for every 50 pupils with a minimum of one wash basin in the anteroom of the toilets. Normally the sanitary units are separated according to gender. This should also be the case with the teachers' toilets. The walls in the sanitary units should be washable, scratchproof and graffiti-proof up to a height of 2 m. A suitable storeroom for cleaning materials and tools should be included in the plans for the sanitary blocks.

THE OFFICE BLOCK The rooms listed below should form a central unit with a floor area of no more than 120 m² in total. It should be kept in mind that this area is made easily accessible for children, parents and teachers. 1 Director's office 1 Secretary's office 1 Library 1 Staff / Conference room (2.5 m² per teacher) 1 Teaching equipment storeroom 1 Teachers' toilet

THE HALLS AND PASSAGE-WAYS The halls and passageways should be designed to become meeting points. They should be able to be used as a place for the children to spend their breaks in cold weather climates, as a multipurpose area during the school holidays or as an exhibition area.

THE CANTEEN Where the school is operational all day, a kitchen with a larder and a dining room, which is useable as a multipurpose hall should be planned. This is only, if there are not already adequate facilities for eating either on site or very close by (refer to canteen in the chapter SOS Social Centres).


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THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

The design and structure of the secondary school should basically follow the same standards as the primary school. Only the size of the classrooms for 35 s tudents can be 60 m². 2-3 laboratories for physics, chemistry and biology should be added and perhaps a workshop and a classroom for home economics.

LABORATORY BLOCK The laboratories should measure about 70 m² and should each have sufficient storage room for teaching equipment. The furniture should be suitable in style and quality.


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SOS SOCIAL CENTRES

GENERAL SOS Social Centres are established to the requirements and the existing social infrastructure of the specific environment. They differ widely in their set up. Their aim is to lift families in the neighborhood of SOS Children‘s Village facilities above the poverty line for the long term and deliver skills and knowledge. Beyond that they help youths to take their future into their own hands. These Construction Guidelines relate to the general planning conditions of standard components (modules) for mother and child care of SOS Social Centres. In case other types of care (youth work, street kids programs, etc.) are proposed, the construction design of these components of the SOS Social Centre must be planned individually.

TYPES OF MODULES General conditions for the following modules were prepared: Child Day Care Centre Adult Education Medical Outpatient Department Administrative Infrastructure The above mentioned modules can be set up in various arrangements and also in different sizes according to the local requirements and the definition of target groups.

CHILD DAY CARE CENTRE This module is the core of most SOS Social Centres. In the Day Care Centres educational trained personnel cares for infants and children from 0 to 6 years most of the time for the whole day. They receive nutritious food rich on vitamins and medical care. The groups can be arranged according to the following age levels: Infants 0 and 1 year (in corresponding group unit) Children 2 and 3 years Children 4 years and older

Due to the all day care the possibility exists for mothers (parents) to do their jobs and/or work during the day or also to obtain job qualifications. Room Programme Classrooms Canteen with kitchen


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CLASSROOM The classroom for children of 2 years and older is equivalent to the one of the SOS Kindergarten (refer to chapter SOS Kindergartens). The classroom for babies is essentially made up of three areas: The play area featuring an area of 1,2 m2 per infant. The bedroom, which ideally is located in a quiet area of the day care centre and easily darkened. For this room an area of 1,50 m2 per infant must be planned. The kitchen, sanitary and baby changing area. This area is normally spread over two rooms. In one of them it should be possible to comfortably wash the babies, change diapers and take them to the toilet, the other serves for the preparation of baby food and for the storage of diapers, toys and food. It proved to be practical to situate these two rooms between play area and bedroom.

CANTEEN If the children and partly adults are provided with hot food in the SOS Social Centre or the Day Care Centre, this will happen in the ca nteen. The canteen should be designed and equipped in a way that it is easily kept hygienically clean and a smooth workflow for food delivery, storage, preparation, service and dishwashing is provided. Room programme Dining room Kitchen with store room

DINING ROOM This room should be bright and have a size of at least 60 m2 or 1m2 per child (adult) to be catered for. It will also serve as a multipurpose and/or meeting room of the SOS Social Centre. It is positioned besides the kitchen, so that the food service (with service counter) and the table service and clearing is made easier. Of course the food counter and the kitchen should be lockable so the dining room can be used for activities where the kitchen is not used and also should not be entered. In warm regions the dining room can be designed in the form of a simple covered outdoor area confined by a wall of medium height.


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KITCHEN AND FOOD STORE ROOM The size of the kitchen depends on the average number of children (adults) to be catered for and should be between 15 m2 and 30 m2 . It should be planned and built in a manner that supports the workflow of food preparation, makes it easy to clean, that it is also accessible from outside and well ventilated. Wherever useful a kitchen porch with a water tap can be planned (for washing and cleaning of food, dishes etc.). The food storeroom also needs ventilation but does not necessarily have to have windows. It is beside the kitchen and also well protected (closeable) against pests. In case the distance to the general sanitary facilities and/or the staff rooms is too far, a staff toilet must be planned in the canteen area as well and if required a changing room for the kitchen staff.

ADULT EDUCATION AREA Mostly in two classrooms SOS Mothers and parents from poor social classes are offered a variety of courses such as sewing, cooking, tailoring, type writing, etc. which complement and enhance their already acquired job qualifications and activities to earn their living. The size and equipment of these classrooms is equivalent to those of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools (refer to corresponding chapter). The necessary sanitary facilities for adults are accommodated in the general sanitary area of the SOS Social Centre in the same number as they are recommended in the chapter SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools for students.

MEDICAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT An essential component of the service of most SOS Social Centres is the basic medical care for the SOS Mothers and children in need of the community. Priorities are maternity and infant care, vaccinations, dental care, distribution of drugs and the possibility to consult a medical practitioner. The medical outpatient department consists of 3 rooms at the size between 8 m2 and 14 m2 and the waiting area. The doctor‘s room and the dentist‘s room should be bright rooms with a wash basin installed in each of them. In the nurses‘ room also the safely lockable drug store is situated. Here the necessary routine checks of infants are made, the patients’ files are kept and drugs are distributed.


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ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE These are the areas serving the general needs of the SOS Social Centre. They are: Administration and staff rooms Caretaker accommodation (if essential) Laundry and general store General sanitary area

ADMINISTARTION AND STAFF ROOMS As a standard this area consists of: Two to three offices. One for the director, one for social workers (if provided) and one for the secretariat and the finance department, with a possible archive attached. One meeting room One staff room, with a possible kitchenette attached.

CARETAKER ACCOMMODATION One person should reside permanently in the SOS Social Centre to provide a certain protection against burglaries. Ideally this is the caretaker who looks after the maintenance of the facilities. This accommodation is accessible from outside and should not exceed a size of 65 m2 . It consists of the following rooms: Living/dining room with kitchenette Two bedrooms Sanitary area Small storeroom (possible)

LAUNDRY AND GENERAL STORE The laundry of the entire SOS Social Centre is washed dried and ironed there. Further all the things, which are not used all the time, are stored there. The following rooms are planned: The laundry, to be designed as a wet room and equipped with all connections for washing machine and possible dryer. The drying court, which is situated in the outside area of the laundry and which can be covered. The ironing room, where besides doing the ironing also clean laundry can be stored. The general store, which must be furnished with wide enough doors.


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GENERAL SANITARY AREA As the children in the day care centre have their own sanitary areas, the general sanitary area is provided exclusively for the personnel and those adults who attend courses and use the medical care facility or other services of the SOS Service Centre respectively. The sanitary areas are situated as central as possible within the facility and are in principle located on outside walls so they can be naturally ventilated by windows. At least one wash basin and two toilets should be planned for ladies and gents separately. In case also adult education is offered in the SOS Social Centre the number of required wash basins and toilets is determined according to the guidelines for sanitary installations in SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools (refer to the corresponding chapter).


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STRUCTURAL RULES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE FACILITIES

ZONING When planning the positioning of the various SOS Children's Village facilities, the difference between public, semi-public and private areas must be taken into consideration. The public (kindergarten, school, playing fields, etc.) and the semi-public areas (offices, staff accommodation, guesthouse, etc.) should have a road going through them and have the necessary parking spaces. The private area (centre of the village) should have a sealed road leading to it. It is also necessary that fire engines and ambulances can reach this area in an emergency. A straight road is preferable to a ring road, which is more conducive to accidents. The centre of the village should be defined by a village square which represent a focus point where people like to meet and to stay. The local situation has to be taken into consideration when deciding whether the SOS Children's Village should have a wall around it, a fence or just bushes and trees.

HORIZONTAL DAMP PROOF COURSE The horizontal damp proof course is a fundamental part of all solid walls. In its simplest form it consists of two layers of building paper and prevents dampness rising through the walls. The damp proof course should be situated just above the floor slab. This simple and cheap measure prevents irreparable damage to the walls. Exception: Not necessary in desert areas where it never rains.

THE SURFACE OF THE FLOOR Basically the entire ground floor should be at least 30 cm above the ground. It is vital that coarse gravel (D = at least 15 cm) is placed under the floor so that no dampness can rise from the ground underneath. Together with the damp course, this guarantees dry rooms. Exception: Desert areas where it never rains.

RING BEAM If the ground is not stable (bad ground condition) then it is imperative to put up a reinforced concrete ring beam. This must be included in the upper and lower parts of the outside wall and must enclose the whole building, acting like a belt. This will prevent cracks in the outside walls. Another measure, which can be taken if uneven settling is to be expected, would be to plan generally smaller buildings or to use cold joints.


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OUTSIDE WALLS Climate and regional construction conditions permitting, the outside walls should be plain masonry. If this is not possible, for any reason, it should be considered whether it is possible to plaster the walls without having to paint them as well. This minimizes maintenance and servicing costs.

ROOFS One of the main construction problems, we have had in our projects in the past, has been caused by the shape of the roofs. It is therefore imperative that the simplest form of roof, which requires the least amount of maintenance, is used. This should prevent the problem of water leaking through the roofs. These three basic rules should be followed! Simple types of roofs: Flat roofs should only be used in desert areas where it never rains. Otherwise a lean-to roof, a ridged roof or a hip roof should be used. Avoid complicated roof joints and combinations of roof types. Ensure that the overhang is adequate and that the simplest drainage method is fitted. Rainwater should be able to flow freely and directly over the roof. The ideal situation would be to avoid having to fit gutters at all. Then the water could run straight into the ground. In such instances it must be ensured that the roof hangs over far enough that the water does not run down the outside walls, thus causing dampness and lasting damage. A further solution would be to use the simplest metal guttering. The water should be able to overflow from the guttering without damaging the roof or causing dampness.

SOS Children's Village Construction Guidelines.pdf

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