Building work is in full swing in 2014 now that the winter season is over, and the exciting news from Darjeeling is that the buildings are really taking shape on-site.
The condition of the ground has posed some problems and previous posts have talked about the surprises of finding rocks and holes in some unexpected places; this has led to plans being amended over the past year to make sure that the buildings make the best possible use of the site. Added to this, the monsoon was heavy in 2013 meaning that the works had to be protected with a large-scale system of tarpaulin sheeting to enable construction to continue.
However! The end of phase 1 is now in sight with a projected end date of April 2014 for the construction work, after which the buildings will be fitted out. Over the past couple of months roofing materials have been carried down the steep path from the road above to be used on site, and the shape of the buildings so far is now easily discernible with the recent addition of the roof; these two before and after shots show the difference this has made on site:
Photos: Before and after the roof goes on
Due to the placement of the site, one of the features of this project is the need for all building materials to be carried in by porters rather than be driven in on vehicles. While this is a tough job (especially given how steep the Darjeeling slopes are!) it's also providing much-needed employment for local people in times of economic hardship.
Photo: Looking up one of the steep Darjeeling streets
The next couple of months should hopefully see the first phase buildings become habitable, so we are of course looking forward to phase 2. The hugely successful 'Bricks and Mortar Ball' held in London in November raised a fantastic £22,000 to enable us to commission plans and fund the start of this next phase of building; more about the ball in the next post.
The condition of the ground has posed some problems and previous posts have talked about the surprises of finding rocks and holes in some unexpected places; this has led to plans being amended over the past year to make sure that the buildings make the best possible use of the site. Added to this, the monsoon was heavy in 2013 meaning that the works had to be protected with a large-scale system of tarpaulin sheeting to enable construction to continue.
However! The end of phase 1 is now in sight with a projected end date of April 2014 for the construction work, after which the buildings will be fitted out. Over the past couple of months roofing materials have been carried down the steep path from the road above to be used on site, and the shape of the buildings so far is now easily discernible with the recent addition of the roof; these two before and after shots show the difference this has made on site:
Photos: Before and after the roof goes on
Due to the placement of the site, one of the features of this project is the need for all building materials to be carried in by porters rather than be driven in on vehicles. While this is a tough job (especially given how steep the Darjeeling slopes are!) it's also providing much-needed employment for local people in times of economic hardship.
Photo: Looking up one of the steep Darjeeling streets
The next couple of months should hopefully see the first phase buildings become habitable, so we are of course looking forward to phase 2. The hugely successful 'Bricks and Mortar Ball' held in London in November raised a fantastic £22,000 to enable us to commission plans and fund the start of this next phase of building; more about the ball in the next post.
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