Montserrat Leads the Way in Responding to the Effects of Climate Change on Building Designs

Montserrat is leading the way in the Caribbean in responding to the effects of climate change on building designs.

In September 2017, the Caribbean region encountered an extremely active Atlantic Hurricane Season with an increase in the frequency of high-intensity storms. As such, the Government of Montserrat in collaboration with consultant Structural Engineer, Mr. Rick Ehlert from the USA, have developed prototypes for 2-bedroom units that are capable of withstanding category 5++ hurricanes, with wind speeds in excess of 180mph.

The OECS Building Code currently dictates that residential units within the island of Montserrat should be designed to withstand a minimum of 161mph winds (category II building types). This increase in building resistivity is anticipated to reduce the damage left in the wake of high-intensity storms within the island.

Additionally, the structures were also designed with increased seismic resistivity.

These structures are currently being tendered and are due for construction in early 2018 as a part of the MATHLE Social Housing Project. 

Images taken from the Government of Montserrat's Tendering website for:

The Tender for the Construction of Two-Bedroom Unit at Davy Hill - Lot 192.  

The tender can be found here at:

http://www.gov.ms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tender-for-MATHLE-Social-Housing-The-Construction-of-Two-Bedroom-Unit-at-Davy-Hill-Lot-192.pdf

13 Tips For Applying to UK Universities and a Chevening Scholarship

So it's that time of year again: the deadline for Chevening Scholarship applications is fast approaching.

Every year, I verbally give potential applicants tips on applying to universities, and the scholarship. I've compiled a few here, just in case anyone is interested:

1) Before Applying to Universities, Check Out the 'University League Tables' Online. You can literally type that in Google and you'll find two (2) websites that host league tables for the universities in the UK: 'The Guardian Online', and 'The Complete University Guide'. Essentially, the league tables rank UK universities from the "best" to the "worst", according to specific criteria (student satisfaction, graduate prospects, pass rate, etc.) Why is this important? Well, quite often, if you graduate with C's from a university that's ranked within the top 10, you can still end up getting a job a lot quicker than someone who's graduated with A's from a school that's ranked #120+. You can also filter the league tables so that you can determine the top ranked schools in your field, or the top ranked schools in a specific region. Don't underestimate the importance of choosing a good university.

2) Research the Programme Content in the Universities You are Interested In. Don't just choose a school because it says it offers the degree you are interested in. Some schools tend to have a particular focus on a specific area of the field. For example, there may be some Architecture schools that focus more on theory, while other schools focus more on structural design, and yet others may focus on computer aided design within their programmes. At the end of the day, you will still graduate with the same degree, but you may end up being miserable studying in a programme for a year, in a particular area of your field that you were not exactly interested in.


3) Work on Your Personal Statement/Admissions Essay. This is very crucial. I call this the "make or break" aspect of your application. Your personal statement is the time when you really get to tell your university or Chevening about YOU. Don't be humble, and don't hold back. Tell Chevening who you are, what you've accomplished, and what you hope to achieve when you're finished studying. Tell them how you plan to use your degree to develop your nation, and why you think that studying in the UK at your particular school of choice, is important to you and your country. Don't replicate your CV/Resume, and don't write a a long report about what is happening in your country. This personal statement is about you, what your vision is for progress, and what you're currently doing to get there. Many times I've even told potential applicants that this is their time to be arrogant. Also, don't assume that Chevening or your university of choice know about current affairs in your country, nor anything about your field of study. Try to avoid using technical jargon, acronyms, or terminology that is only popular where you're from. Presume that those who read your application and personal statement are not in your field nor have a clue about your field. Also, don't write an epistle. The personal statement section is not for you to write your life story. Remember: both Chevening and your university of choice are probably reading thousands of applications just like yours, from applicants who are just as qualified as you are. Try to narrow it down to about a page, and make sure your content stands out. Get across your leadership skills in both your profession and your extra curricular activities, and align them to how these skills are being used to benefit your country and helping you on your pathway to professional and national development. Write a draft, read it, rewrite it, reread it again, and keep refining it till you're satisfied. 

4) Check Deadlines for School Applications. Most masters programs tend to request that applicants apply to schools at least a month prior to the start date, however, some medical programs do have early application deadlines (sometimes in January). Apply early. You don't have to have acceptance from a university at the time of your Chevening Application, but start to apply around that time. It would be advised however, that you try to garner your acceptance letters by the time interviews are called (usually around February-ish). It's helpful to walk into an interview and confidently state that you've been accepted to XYZ university.

5) Apply to More Than One University or Programme. It can be either 3 different programmes in the same university, or the same programme that's hosted in 3 different universities. Yes, you may have your heart set on attending a particular school with a particular programme, but still apply to multiple. If you can gain acceptance to about 3 schools or programs, that'll be great. 

6) Know What Chevening is About and Who They are Looking For. Research research research! Don't just apply to this scheme as if it's a typical scholarship programme. Chevening is looking for leaders, influencers, innovators, and motivators. Ensure to frame your application to display these qualities.

7) Start the Online Application Process EARLY. You may discover that you require certain documentation (either for your university application or your Chevening application), that you may not have on hand. Log in to the online application, and browse through it to get an idea of what questions you'll have to respond to, and what documentation you'll need to submit. Don't wait until a few days before the deadline to discover that you will require the academic transcript from your bachelors studies, and that the typical waiting period to receive this transcript from your previous school is 2 weeks. Start the process early.

8) Finish the Online Application Process EARLY. There are a number of different random acts of fate that can prevent you from clicking "submit" on your online application form before the deadline. Electricity may go, your internet may give trouble, you may have a personal emergency, you may have inclement weather, an asteroid may hit - anything can happen. Don't let Murphy's Law strike and leave you without a submitted application before the deadline. Submit early.

9) Don't Panic. Sometimes it takes a while for Chevening to get back to you. Don't think that your world is coming to an end because you were expecting them to respond by 2pm and it's now 2:01pm. Relax, and try to be patient.

10) If You're Not Selected for an Interview, Don't Fret. Apply again another year. Not every Chevening Scholar was selected the first time around. It's not a reflection on your capabilities - it may just mean that you need to strengthen how you get your thoughts and ideas across. Review your previous application, apply again, and go in stronger than before. 

11) If You're Selected for an Interview, Be Confident. The questions will be about you and framed around your application. Re-familiarize yourself with your application form and your personal statement. Ensure you can expound more on the content of your application, if asked. Respond to every question with confidence, and frame each reply as if you're a leader and you're aspiring to expand your leadership abilities. If you're asked a question that you're unsure about, respond in the best way that you can, but don't make up information because you don't know. 

12) If You're Awarded a Chevening Scholarship, Start Your Preparations Early. Secure your accommodation, start planning your travels, inform your employers, and tie up commitments at home. Try to avoid leaving loose ends frayed when you're away studying. 

13) Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket. Also consider other scholarship schemes that may be available to you. There's also the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme for UK masters studies, the Rhodes Scholarship scheme for masters studies at the University of Oxford, OAS Scholarships for masters studies at universities in the USA, Rotary Club Scholarships (for particular programs), as well as scholarships and grants available from your universities of choice. You can get scholarships for being from a developing country, for being black, for being a female, for being from the Caribbean....or even for being a black female from the Caribbean. Look for scholarships in the name of iconic professionals in your field who have gone down in history. Explore the multitude of funding opportunities available. 

Linda A.S. Dias, 2013 Chevening Scholar for the British Overseas Territories

Apply here at: www.chevening.org/apply

Image 1: https://i0.wp.com/www.wemakescholars.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Chevening-Scholarships-1024x614_c.jpg

Image 2: Facebook Frame of my display image on the Geothermal Drilling Site in Montserrat.

Image 3: https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/chevening-scholarships-2017.jpg

The Bahamian Perspective: Storm Resistant Structures

I have been encountering quite a few engaging perspectives since the circulation of my post on 'The OECS Buildings Codes vs Hurricane Irma".  Recently, I was tagged in a post from a Chevening alumna from The Bahamas, querying my feedback on a blog entry by a Bahamian author.  The title of the entry was "Irma: A Meditation on Hurricanes and the Bahamas".  In reading the post, it was quite an interesting opinionated piece, and I decided to post my feedback within my own blog.  My perspective is, as follows:

Well, I've never been to The Bahamas so I won't be able to definitively endorse or refute what's suggested within the post.  

It's an interesting take on hurricane resistivity. The author did capture the barometric pressure contributing to how destructive a hurricane can be, but an additional element to be considered is the speed that the hurricane is moving. Sluggish movement means that the storm has a longer time on the ground. Longer time on the ground means that each building is taking a beating from the force of the winds over a longer period of time. Durability and endurance then become key factors in a building's resistivity.

Some valid points are within the post. I'm curious about the "reinforced poured concrete". If it's what I'm thinking it is, it sounds like a beneficial construction method to consider. However, I'm actually more curious about the reinforcement used (sizes and intervals - since that's what increases the integrity of the structure). However, many of the structures constructed of reinforced concrete block walls in the islands that were hit by Irma seem to still be standing, so I'm not sure if the block wall construction is under major scrutiny at the moment. That being said, I'm most curious about the roof construction, since that's the most vulnerable element in a building when enduring storm-force winds. If there are any new technologies introduced to secure roofs better (that won't excessively hurt the average person's pocket) then I'm sure they'd be welcomed in the wider region. The wall construction would really play a bigger part when it's impacted by the new roof construction techniques (whether the walls, beams, or columns would need additional reinforcement, etc).

On one hand I understand the perspective about The Bahamas not being mountainous and therefore tends to avoid land slippage caused by heavy rains in a storm, but the author did mention that the hilly topography of an island tends to reduce the intensity of the storm when it passes over. The other thing to note is that quite often hills offer protection to structures in lower lying areas from hurricane winds (flatter areas tend to be more exposed). However, alternatively, there's also the concept of the hills sometimes creating wind tunnels if they're a bit close together - but I digress. 

Some of the design elements mentioned are a bit typical of the older structures in the region that were built during colonial times. The raised foundations in flood prone areas are a common feature in a lot of the islands. For example, the entire historic district in Roseau, Dominica has buildings that are raised a few feet off the ground. The transom window (above doors for cross-ventilation) is also typical in many of the antiquated structures from that era. It's also used to allow hot air to rise and escape at that level. 

The author made a statement towards the end of this post that has spurned my curiosity a bit: "that we should study and standardize our building techniques—all of them, from the working in wood to our facility with concrete". Do you by chance know if The Bahamas has an approved Building Code? I'd be interested in taking a peep at it if you do. That would be a starting point in supporting the author's perspective.  

Nicolette Bethel's Blog Entry, can be found here:

https://nicobethelblogworld.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/irma-a-meditation-on-hurricanes-and-the-bahamas/

Barbuda for Barbudans

Today I came across an article that was published in the Jamaica Observer media house that was entitled 'Barbuda 2.0: Rebuild Devastated Island into a Modern Tourist City'.

While it may've been written with the best intentions in mind, I personally believe that we must first determine what the people of Barbuda (as a micro community) - and by extension the nationals of the entire twin-island state (as a macro entity) really want.  I believe that the regional or international community projecting our economic ideals on a ravaged nation is a bit inconsiderate and inappropriate.  I'm not opposed to developing Barbuda into an advanced entity, but I am hesitant in suggesting that it should be a "Modern Tourist City".

In post-volcanic Montserrat, there has been a considerable amount of contention in the notion of developing the proposed new, capital city of Little Bay into a tourism-centre.  Local residents, diaspora, expats, and visitors all have varying opinions on what the island should be, and should evolve into.  The concept of competing with other islands who's tourism sectors are more established, is not an appealing thought for some.  Meanwhile, others welcome the idea of expanding Montserrat's reach into the global market.  Many still believe that Montserrat should target niche areas of tourism - focusing on low numbers, but high spenders.  Others however, still hold firm that we should be increasing our visitor arrivals on an annual basis.

As I mentioned before, as an Architect who's interest is in development, I would eagerly support the opportunity to improve the Barbudan environment.  However, we must be sensitive to the inhabitants and ensure that when this island is developed it still has the Barbudan cultural identity EMBEDDED within the domain.  A "modern tourism city" only creates a replica of so many different towns within the region.  It is at this critical point, when the impact of globalization should be carefully considered.  

Each island within the Caribbean has it's own charm and uniquely enticing environment for tourists.  Barbuda's enthrall may very well be the very aspect that some developers could be seeking to change.

"Luxury resorts" and high-end commercial environments tend to encourage a divide between the 'haves and have-nots' in a community - potentially impacting crime rates, and motivating gentrification.  As professionals within the built environment, it is our responsibility to ensure that when we develop, it is not merely because we have been placed an "almost virginal" canvas before us - but instead, to shape spaces and create communities that are for the people.

This is our social responsibility.

The article from the Jamaica Observer, is below:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/barbuda-2-0-rebuild-devastated-island-into-a-modern-tourist-city_110643?profile=1100

Adhering to Building Codes Within the Caribbean and Further Questions

Subsequent to the passing of Hurricane Irma, I have been receiving a few questions on the building codes within the OECS, as well as on construction techniques within the region.  The following were posed to me by a commenter on Facebook:

Commenter: "I saw a clip from an Antigua disaster official who indicated that Barbuda houses were not built to code.  Not sure if that explains why all the roofs were gone or whether most houses were not built to withstand a cat 5 winds.  It's impressive that the walls remained.

Hopefully Caribbean governments, esp. OECS countries will study the roofs that survived and determine whether the codes need updating.  It seems like Hugo was the driver of [the] last major code updates.

Response: The last update of the OECS Building Code was in 2015.  The problem that we're having right now is that some of the islands haven't passed it as a legal document (admittedly, including Montserrat).  The islands within the Caribbean have specific windspeed thresholds related to where they're geographically located.  The islands on the northern area of the chain have higher thresholds, while the ones on the lower end have lower [thresholds].  This is mainly because hurricanes tend to have trajectories that are more in the upper area of the island chain.  That being said, the main issue we tend to have with our construction within the Caribbean isn't the code itself - it's actually the enforcement of the code.  Some individuals choose no to submit plans for approval through the correct processes, and instead decide to build as they deem fit.  Planning authorities sometimes are also influenced by the political electorate, and as such, issues sometimes slide under the table.

Commenter: "I have a few questions that I would love for you to answer:

Question 1:  Will it be cost prohibitive to change the code for houses to be built to withstand cat 5 hurricanes?  Although it [is] a rare occurrence, it is possible that it may become the new reality."

Answer: One issue [that the region is having] is that there are some older structures (even historical ones) that would need significant upgrading to meet the code.  Of course, that would result in a conflict if they're protected under historical building regulations.  Also, to retrofit some of the structures that were constructed prior to the introduction of the code would result in high costs, and a headache to attempt to retrofit.  The other thing to note, is that there are different building classifications in each building code.  Some categories have lower thresholds for wind speeds, while others have higher thresholds (meaning, not all building types must be designed to withstand a category 5 hurricane).

Question 2: "Are many houses in the OECS built with truss roofs?  This is the first time I'm hearing that term and had to Google it.  I was only familiar with the rafters."

Answer: Not many buildings (especially residential) are designed with truss roof systems. Some of the older structures do have them though.  As I mentioned [previously], they can be costly, and many people tend to shy away from making grand investments in structures when the typical gable or hip roofs will do fine in areas that don't have frequent Cat 5's.  In some instances, a truss roof system (alone) for a 2-bedroom unit can end up costing almost as much as an entire 2-bedroom building with the rafter roof.

Question 3: "Can you share a pic with a house with a Mansard Roof?  When I Google Mansard Roof I'm seeing images of roofs I've seen on apartments in the US and I don't recall seeing those kind of roofs in the Caribbean.  I'm hoping that Irma can start a dialogue regarding our building practices in the Caribbean.  I know we love to boast that our houses are built from solid steel reinforced concrete and I'm thinking that we probably need to start focusing more on how our roofs are built.  Thanks."

Answer: I've attached the Mansard Roof.  We have a few Mansard Roofs within the Caribbean.  Another name for it is the "gambrel roof".  The designs would've been brought over from the French during the colonial era."

Image of a Mansard Roof is courtesy of:

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-mansard-roof-definition-design.html

Storm Resistant Roofs In the Caribbean Hurricane Belt

Since my recent post on the OECS Building Codes vs Hurricane Irma, I have been posed with some interesting and valid questions from residents throughout the reign, on what exactly makes a building capable of resisting the impact of Category 5 Hurricanes.  Someone posted an interesting query on a friend's post, and I thought I'd share my response on social media.

Question: "What type of roofs will be needed to withstand a Category 5 Hurricane besides a concrete roof?"

Answer: Many times when a building falters structurally, it's primarily at the joints/connections (especially connections between 2 or more different material types).  One of the most vulnerable elements in a building during a storm is the roof (especially if it's a timber frame roof - particularly gable and hip roofs).  Once the roof is tied into the frame of the building properly, the level of destruction should be considerably less.  In many of the islands where Irma's eye passed through, there are still structures standing with timber roof frames intact.  What has happened though, is that the roof sheeting is pulled off and the rafters are exposed.

Another issue that causes roofs to be pulled off during storm force winds, is the length of the overhangs.  This however tends to be a conflict in the tropics, as we tend to like the overhangs as they offer shading to windows, verandas, etc.  However, longer overhangs tend to create more surface area for wind uplift.

Another issue is the pitch of the roof.  Shallower pitches = less wind resistance.  Steeper the pitch, the more resistivity it has.

Also, many engineers support the idea that truss roofs tend to withstand intense weather conditions a lot better than roofs with rafters.  The roof is heavier, the loads are transferred more evenly, and apparently connected a bit better to the concrete walls..  However, they're also considerably more expensive.

Plus, the use of screws opposed to nails in key areas can help a lot.

Also, the spacing/intervals between rafters, screws, etc. also help.  The closer they're spaced, the more it can withstand wind resistance.

One roof type that I noticed seemed to perform well during Hurricane Irma is the Mansard Roof.  I noticed a couple of them in a few photos from one of the islands (I can't recall if the photos were in the BVI or St. Maarten/St. Martin, but the images I saw had the roofs still completely intact despite the neighbouring roofs faltering).  The steep pitches again seem to help with the wind resistivity.

People tend to gravitate towards the concrete slab roofs because they alleviate insecurities when it comes to hurricane resistance, but in reality, the slab roofs also come with their own demerits; maintenance can be a bit trickier than timber frame roofs, and concrete roofs tend to create 'heat boxes' - they retain the heat during the day, then release it during the night.  The other thing to note is that one of the primary reasons for the incorporation of hip or gable roofs into tropical architecture is to allow the hot air to rise into the apex, and keep the lower areas of the building cooler.

Image courtesy of:

Truss Roof - http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/exterior/all-about-roofs-pitches-trusses-and-framing

OECS Buildings Codes vs Hurricane Irma

A few days ago I wrote a post on social media about the Building Codes in the Eastern Caribbean vs Hurricane Irma.  This post was written in anticipation for future backlash on the Codes within the islands, as unfortunately, there was a significant amount of damage throughout 7 of the islands that were impacted by the devastating Hurricane Irma.  The post went viral throughout the Caribbean as a few days later, a couple of Floridians made derogatory statements about the building construction within the region.  I've decided to share the post here, as a part of my blog.  The links to a few of the articles on the post from different media houses, are listed below.

To be clear, the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Irma is NOT an indictment on the construction techniques within the Eastern Caribbean.  The building codes in the Eastern Caribbean dictate that buildings should be designed to take wind speeds of between 154mph - 180mph, depending on the location and category of building.

Each island that the OECS Building Code accounts for that was affected by Hurricane Irma, has buildings that can withstand storms up to the following wind speeds:

Antigua & Barbuda - 168 mph
Anguilla - 176 mph
British Virgin Islands - 180 mph
St. Kitts & Nevis - 170 mph
Montserrat - 172 mph

Irma is an anomaly of a superstorm that hit the islands at 185 mph.

To put this into perspective: the frequency of Category 5 hurricanes that make a direct hit on each of the Caribbean islands isn't on an annual basis.  Cat 5's start at wind speeds of 157 mph.  A hurricane that reaches land at even 160 mph tends to go down in the record books.

Our construction techniques in the Caribbean region have improved considerably after 1989, when Hurricane Hugo hit the Eastern Caribbean and caused a considerably amount of damage.  Hurricane straps, ties, the distance between rafters, etc. were all rethought  and strengthened.  Although we always welcome new and improved construction technologies, our Building Code is sound, and many of our construction techniques are superior to those in many international countries.

Links to articles on the post:

- Loop TT:
http://www.looptt.com/content/architect-responds-after-floridians-call-caribbean-houses-cardboard

- Discover Montserrat
https://discovermni.com/2017/09/11/local-architects-defense-of-oecs-building-code-gets-endorsed-by-code-author/

Photos courtesy of:

Image 1 - Steel that was once upright prior to the passing of Hurricane Irma in one of the Caribbean islands.  This image shows the intensity of the Category 5++ hurricane.   Image is courtesy of Dr. Lavida Thomas-Richardson.

Image 2 - Destroyed buildings in the island of Barbuda after Hurricane Irma.  Image was circulated on social media subsequent to the passing of Hurricane Irma.  (I do not own the rights to this image).

Image 3 - Destroyed Princess Juliana Airport in the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin after Hurricane Irma.  Image was circulated on social media subsequent to the passing of Hurricane Irma.  (I do not own the rights to this image).