LGL Kapit Relocation
To provide space for an ore stockpile, the Special Mining Lease included
the area previously occupied by Kapit Village, requiring its relocation.
Before Assai's involvement, relocation houses were constructed for 26
families. Complications arose when relocated villagers (relocates) became
dissatisfied with land ownership agreements as well as the houses. Assai
was subsequently engaged to work closely with the relocates to develop a
new design that overcame issues of high maintenance, short material life,
remote location and a culturally and environmentally inappropriate layout.
The features of the new house design include:
-
- Long lasting, economical, adaptable and corrosion resistant
materials, such as treated timber from PNG sustainable plantation
forests;
-
- Steep roofs and large eaves to protect walls and windows from
weather, allowing passive ventilation through raked ceilings;
-
- Elevated water tanks, allowing gravity-fed water reticulation;
and
-
- Outdoor ancillary buildings such as ablutions and kitchens with
smokeless ovens.
These features were all designed around a contractual and construction
system to best utilise locally available skills and materials.
