NYSC PERMANENT ORIENTATION CAMP KATAMPE EXTENSION ABUJA(A STUDY OF ADAPTABLE SPACES)

ABSTRACT

Space  adaptability  and  flexibility  as  they  say,  is  one  of the  most  important principles  of sustainable  architecture.  The  importance  of this  notion  cannot  be overemphasized  because of the present need for sustainability in our time.  It is for this reason that this design proposal was initiated.  The relevance of adaptable space is that it not only allows us to fit our different  activities  in one space but also to save a lot ofresources.

The conventional  method of spatial design is to develop a space for its effective utilization  for  the  primary  purpose.  Sometimes,  a  simple  adjustment  of spatial configuration  allows  for a change  in use  for the same space.  These adjustments define the adaptability of such space. This proposal is aimed at adopting this adaptable space idea into NYSC Orientation Camp  design.  It  will  also  help  in  the  study  and  understanding  of the  primary mechanisms which guide the design of this particular project. Chapter  one of this thesis report presents an introduction  into the subject,  stating the motivation and purpose, statement of architectural problems, defining scope etc. Chapter  two  presents  the  theoretical  framework  backing  up  adaptable  spaces, historical  background  of both the study and the design structure.  Relevant  cases were also evaluated for study.  The third chapter throws more light on the principles for the design of both adaptable spaces and NYSC orientation camps.  Chapter four talks about analyses of required spaces,  the chosen site and its implications on the design.  It  also presents  derived  data  from the  research  methodology.  The  final chapter rounds up this project  as a design, the philosophy  behind it discussed and recommendations  made.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

There has been a significant trend recently in the design of public spaces towards the  development  of multi-functional  facilities  which  offer  users  more  than  the primary services for which they are provided. Even private spaces like homes are following suit.  It is now becoming common in modem designs and development to find spaces designed in such a way as to allow for an efficient integration of many other different  activities.  Examples  can be cited in the works of L3P Architects: Multifunctional Double Sports Halls in the Eichi Centre, Niederglatt, 2009, the La Llotja  Theatre in the Netherlands  by Mecanoo  Architects  and the Sjakket  Youth Club in  Copenhagen,  Denmark  by PLOT   Architects,  2007  where  the  centre’s multi-functional  character  is best illustrated through the varied use of the vaulted spaces, one is held completely empty for sporting events, whereas the other one can be used for activities,  such as concerts or communal activities.  In many instances, such facilities can serve completely  different  and many services within the same environment. For example, a multipurpose space may need to accommodate a wide variety of activities,  such as dining, plays,  films, assemblies,  community meetings, physical education, and large group instruction. Butin (2000)

Today,  the point is not so much about tearing down walls as it is about the variety of ways in which individuals  occupy space.  It’s  important  to ask how one really lives (using a home setting as case study). If the bedroom doubles as your home office,  or the kitchen is the place where entertaining  is liveliest,  thus,  letting the design serve both ends.  “Designing spaces that are flexible but multipurpose  is the surest way to maximize your pleasure  in using them.” Daoana (2009).  Spaces are no longer the cut-out, one-purpose-at-a-time  areas that we have thought them to be. This  is  considered  positive  since  it  only  means  that  we  don’t  have  to  fit  our activities and habits within specific spaces contained by four walls and that all the space we need is already there in the first place. We now perceive spaces from the point of view of how it can serve us well and also optimized for other purposes.

Adaptable buildings are widely recognized as intrinsic to a sustainable built environment. In principle,  a building that can last while its parts gradually change will place a lighter load on natural and human resources and provide value to future generations.  Further,  if the  parts  that  do  change  over  time  are  designed  for assembly, disassembly and reuse, if not recycling, this is an additional benefit in the service of a sustainable future.  Kendall, Ando (2004)

This paper  will examine  a senes  of projects  and designs  where  the concept  of adaptable spaces  was applied in their design and see how it can be applied in the design of a Permanent NYSC orientation camp for Abuja, FCT where the provided spaces are meant to be adaptable to changes in use.

1.1 BACKGROUND  OF THE STUDY

1.1.1 The Architectural Space

Studies  of space  are  found  in  many  disciplines,  where  they  have  different meanings.  It is a concept that is central to many different  areas of study and has varied meanings, ranging from totally abstract notions such as mathematical space,

to physical  ones  such as astronomical  space,  to more  earthly  ones  such as the expanse  that  surrounds  us,  to  behavioral  notions  such  as  territorial  space  and personal  space.  This great variety of possible types of space  makes any definition of space in planning and design difficult. Generally speaking, however, space is the three-dimensional  extension  of the world  around us,  the intervals,  distances  and relationships  between  people  and  things.  Pultar  (1999).  In this  research  paper, architectural  space is what our concern will be with. In that light, “Space is, quite simply, what we use in buildings”. Hillier (2007 p.19)

According to Pultar (1999);  architectural  space is defined as subsets of the three• dimensional  extension  of the  world  around  us  such that  it  is  entered  by man, includes definite material elements, especially a base, that allow one to perceive its boundaries  and  is perceived  as a whole,  serves  human  functions  of habitation, shelter or circulation, and is intentionally built or appropriated by man to serve such functions.  According to this definition,  not only well defined spaces such as halls and rooms, but also arrangements  of furniture so as to define a spatial expanse, allowing  it to be perceived  as a whole,  should be considered  as an architectural space,  too.  According to Baxter and Martin (2010);  architectural  space  is used to shape  and  express  identity. The  notion  of architectural   space  should  also  be understood to include  structures of space,  i.e.  sets of spaces so interrelated to each other that the functions they serve extend through these spaces.  Pultar ( 1999). Thus, just  as rooms and halls in buildings  may be individually considered  architectural spaces, so can buildings as structures of spaces.

An  important  characteristic  of architectural  space  is  man’s  involvement  in  its generation  and  his  partaking  of life  in  it.  In  this  sense,  architectural  space  is diachronic in addition to its spatially expansive nature.  This diachronic aspect will be indicated by our use of the term life-cycle of architectural space.  Pultar ( 1999).

For  the purpose  of this paper,  hereafter,  the  term  space  will  be used  to  mean architectural space.

1.1.2 Flexible Adaptable Spaces

Definitions put an adaptable space in architecture as a space that is flexible enough to be used for more than one activity.  One condition that must be met for a space to qualify to be tagged adaptable is that those subject activities have to be mutually exclusive and the functionality of those spaces efficient.  There are a lot of terms associated with adaptable spaces like:

a) Adaptive  reuse  of buildings  where  a building  or  a space  can  be used  and adapted for other purposes. This is just about the same as the subject under study in this paper in the sense that the purposes  for which the spaces are provided can be changed from time to time in an efficient manner.  Greden (2005)

A clear example of adaptive reuse of building can be cited in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul,  Turkey that served as a church for 916 years, a mosque for 481  years and a museum since 1935. Greden (2005)

b) Flexibility, according to Encarta dictionaries, is the ability to bend or be bent repeatedly without damage or injury, ability to change or be changed according to circumstances  or being able to be persuaded  or influenced.  But for the purpose of this study and the context,  flexibility is the ability to change within existing main

structure.  There are usually some built-in possibilities  to rearrange,  take away,  or add elements  and systems. Blakstad  (2002). It  is normally  associated  with terms like modular, mobile and re-arrangeable.

c) Mixed-use development is the practice of allowing more than one type ofuse in a  building  or  set  of buildings.  In  planning zone terms,  this  can  mean  some combination  of residential,  commercial,  industrial,  office,  institutional,  or  other land uses.  In essence, Mixed-Use is more a reference to a zoning district that allows for a variety  of uses  within  one  district.  Tombari  (2005).  Throughout  most  of human   history,   the  majority   of human   settlements   developed   as  mixed-use environments. Most buildings were not divided into discrete functions on a room by room basis,  and most neighborhoods  contained  a diversity of uses,  even if some districts  developed  a predominance   of certain  uses,  such  as  metalworkers,  or textiles or footwear due to the socio-economic  benefits.  This was particularly true in  cities,  and the  ground  floor of buildings  was  often  devoted  to  some sort of commercial or productive use, with living space upstairs.

Mixed-use  was the norm before the development  of modern zoning and land-use practices.   Such  mixed-use   commercial   and  residential   areas  thrived  into  the twentieth century, often at intersections and transit stops.  Modern zoning practices assigned land uses according to function Houses were segregated from commerce, work, and school. In the 1960s and 70s mixed use re-emerged, as a tool for urban revitalization,   in   large-   scale  projects   referred   to   among   the   development community as MXDs. Miller (2003).

d) Multifunctional  has different  meanings in different contexts but in architecture, it is the Properties  of a building,  space,  or system that will allow it to be used in

different ways and for different functions in capacity, dimensions and in robustness. Blakstad (2002).

According  to  Korschildgen  (2006),  the  conventional  architectural  space  offers limited   shapes   and   functions        ignoring   the   ambiguity,   inconsistency   and complexity of today’s life.  Adaptable space is interested in an optional architecture, changeable and adaptable spaces that allow different perceptions and interpretations for living. They are spaces that can serve multiple functions, typically incorporating (usually) freestanding furniture elements that can be shifted and moved in response to the work at hand.  Wymer (2010).  In  as much as there are lots of benefits  in adaptable spaces, there are also down sides to it as noted by Dutton (2007):

The more uses intended for a space, however, the less likely a space will strongly reflect any one application, and congregations should be prepared to accept trade offs  in design and d~cor.  “Sometimes you have to make compromises for multi-purpose spaces,” explains Caputo.

1.1.2 The NYSC scheme and adaptable spaces in camps

The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country  after the Nigerian  Civil war.  www.nysc.gov.ng (2010).  The unfortunate antecedents  in  our  national  history  gave  impetus  to  the  establishment  of the National Youth Service Corps by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 which stated that the NYSC  is being  established  “with a view to  the proper  encouragement  and development  of common ties among the youths of Nigeria  and the promotion  of national  unity”.  Danfulani  and  Aja  (2008).    It  involves Nigerian  youths  going through a compulsory service of the country in different  sectors of the country for

…. NYSC Camp, Abuja one calendar year. For a successful service year, the directorate has outlined five sections as follows:

•    Mobilization

•    Orientation Programme

•    Primary Assignment

•    Community Development Scheme (CDS)

•    Passing out.

Source:  “National  Youth Service Corps Orientation Course And Service Guide” For 2010 Batch  ‘A’ Corps Members Deployed To The Federal Capital Territory,

Every Nigerian graduate both at home and abroad under the age of thirty is required to  participate  in  the  orientation  programme  since  it  was  designed  to  mark the beginning of the corps members  service year. As from 1st  July,  1977,  it became mandatory for all Nigerian graduates from institutions  of Higher Leaming both at home and abroad to participate in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme irrespective  of the  age  at  graduation  except  for  those  served  with  exception certificate on ground of age or any other of the above grounds.  www.nysc.gov.ng (2010).  The orientation  programme,  the  section of the whole NYSC  scheme  in which this study is interested  is a course designed to mark the beginning  of the corps member’s service year. According to Ata (2010);

“After being mobilized, the Orientation Programme is  the next stage of the NYSC and the service guide acquaints you with the environment  to which you have been deployed to serve.”

According to the report to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Plateau State directorate  (2009);  the  scheme  starts  with  a  3   weeks  orientation  camp  where graduates  are  camped  in  an  area  where  their  movement  is  restricted.  At  the orientation camp, graduates are introduced into the scheme and are taught life skills and orientated with national and civic values. Participants of the scheme are posted to   schools   where   they   teach   children,   hospitals,   government   agencies   and parastatals, non-profit organisations and other private corporations.  Over the years, the NYSC  had  served  as a veritable  source  of the  much  needed  manpower  m crucial sectors, and hence, contributing to national development.

The orientation  programme,  which  lasts for three to four weeks  in a designated camp, is designed to train and equip participants with paramilitary  drills.  The drills and other exercises are meant to improve participant’s physical fitness as well as to instill  in them  the  spirit  of collective  action.  It  also  aims  at  giving the proper understanding of the objectives of the scheme and to ensure that they internalize the ideals.  Furthermore,  during the orientation exercise,  attempt is made to familiarize participants  with the  new environment  by introducing  them  to the  cultures  and traditions of the people.  Danfulani et. al. (2008).  According the NYSC Directorate Abuja chief librarian,  Mrs.  Mubu Nababa,  for the orientation camp to take place, orientation  camps are chosen and designated  for the activities.  The camps are in form of any other youth camp details of which will be discussed in the next chapter.

An NYSC orientation camp, just like any other camp has built in facilities that apart from serving its purpose during the three-week orientation course could be utilized optimally  for other purposes  when the orientation programme  is not  in progress.

Adaptability  of spaces for other non-NYSC activities on the other hand,  if applied in the planning and design of such camps will promote  an availability of different relevant spaces at one place; just like Korschildgen (2006) pointed out that  relevant spaces  can  be  made  available  all  in  one  place  either  short  term  or  long  term orientated, related to specific activities.

For the purpose  of this study,  the spaces provided  will be made adaptable  for the activities of the NYSC Orientation Course and other activities like Skill acquisition programs, Fitness courses and Preparation and accommodation  ground for national festivals and events in the FCT. The facilities provided should be flexible enough in use to efficiently service those activities.

1.2 STATEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL  PROBLEM

Buildings are generally not designed and constructed to absorb change easily, at the same time, change is accelerating  but the spaces we create are largely static and unresponsive. Greden (2005). In an attempt  to address this issue, the concepts of flexibility and adaptable spaces are employed in the planning process of spaces and design of structures.  Just like every other approach,  flexibility comes with its own lapses where the architectural problem lies.

According to Butin (2000), critics contend that such a “jack of all trades”  mentality forces the multipurpose  space into  a position  of not  serving any one need well. Although  it  cannot perform  specific functions as suitably  as spaces designed  for specialized  uses,  a well  conceived  multipurpose   space  nevertheless  can  be  an adequate all-around facility.

The architectural problem that this thesis attempts to address is the adaptable use of spaces  in  an NYSC  orientation  camp.  The  area  of study  focuses  on  adaptable spaces  which will provide  a guide for the provision  of spaces  for some  facilities such as multipurpose  hall and hostels/dormitories  that are flexible enough to adapt to changes in use i.e. efficiency in switching between one purpose and another in a given space.

1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY

The  aim  of this  study  is  to  create  a  multifunctional   environment   that  will accommodate  the spatial requirements  of the NYSC  orientation  camp  and other activities. The spaces provided are to be adaptable and flexible enough for change when the need arises and such proposed activities are: a) Skill acquisition programs b)  Fitness  courses  and  c)  Preparation  and  accommodation  ground  for  national festivals and events in the FCT.

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1) To understand the various purposes for which the spaces are to be provided.

2) To establish the need for creating spaces for such facilities.

3) To study principles and methods of applying adaptable space concept in designs.

4) To establish  the viability,  adaptability  and compatibility  of such purposes  in relation to each other and to the environment.

5)  To  create  an  environment   flexible  enough  to  accommodate   the  specified purposes  efficiently making  sure the separate needs of the

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance  of adaptable spaces cannot be overemphasized.  A floor plan with enclosed, single-purpose  rooms is far less adaptable to changing household needs, sizes and functions than open-space plans.

Using a library with adaptable spaces as case study,  one may say,  however, that in the majority  of cases where library facilities have shared space  or buildings with other  activities  in this manner, the primary  objective  has been  explicitly  social, cultural   or   educative,   aiming   to   enhance   the   attractiveness,   relevance   and accessibility of the library service by co-locating  or merging it with similar social and  cultural   activities,  meeting  places   and  spaces  where  communities   come together.  (Robinson  2006).  From  this,  one  can  say that  making  a  space  more adaptable for other activities makes it more attractive than it would have naturally been  if it  were  for  single  use.  Economy-wise,  it  could  be advantageous  if the facilities are tum-over and profit oriented.

In  developing   countries   like  Nigeria   where   constraints   of budget,  technical infrastructure,  management  capacity  and  lack of resources  have  meant  that  the provision of basic,  standard and adequate infrastructures may be in short supply.  It becomes imperative that in the design such infrastructure, considerations should be given to making it multi-use oriented and flexible in that light.

Presently, the NYSC scheme is a state-run programme that introduces indigenous graduate  youths  into  a  one-year  service  of their  country.  Government  policy changes affects the programme in so many ways as noticed in the year 2008 when the number deployed batches was increased  from two to pressure  on camp facilities and schedule in the use of such  facilities.  In extreme cases, the programme could be scrapped if the government through its policies feels the programme  is no longer relevant to the state.  It is in such  a scenario that the study of adaptable  spaces becomes  very significant  because  the spaces could be converted for use for other purposes.

On the other hand, one of the goals of this research is to provide the NYSC scheme with the opportunity to test new adaptable approaches to camp spaces. The data and insights collected can guide the scheme toward more effective adaptable orientation camp spaces in the future.

1.6 MOTIVATION

According  to  Davidson  et.  al.  (2006);  to  ‘waste’  is  one  tendency  with  which humans can easily be identified. It is also apparent that the construction industry is exceedingly wasteful in the way that it supplies building space to the commercial market. The requirement for building adaptability is becoming increasingly relevant from both commercial and sustainability perspectives.  In the UK,  the government has identified, in Policy Planning Guidance notes, the need to optimize the use of existing building  stock therefore  encouraging  the  conversion  of redundant  office and retail space into leisure, service or residential uses. Davidson et. al. (2006). A simple observation  of orientation  camp  facilities across the country  will note the fact that they are left unutilized  especially  when the orientation  course  is not in progress.

The motivation  for this study is derived  from the  fact that waste  of such facilities can be reduced with new knowledge  in applying  adaptability  in the use of spaces in NYSC Orientation  Camps.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The  scope  of this  study  will  cover  research   done  on  and  theories   related   to adaptable,  flexible and multifunctional  spaces  applying  such study in the design of a NYSC  permanent  orientation  camp.  The  scope  will  involve the  design  of such facilities as:

•     Accommodation  facilities for both corps memebers  and staff (3,200 bed for both male and female)

•     3,000  seating capacity  multipurpose  hall adaptable  to the activities  of both the orientation programme  and skill acquisition programmes.

•    Administrative  block/facilities.

The scope will therefore be limited to site planning and the detailed development  of the aforementioned  spaces.  The minimum  requirements  for adaptable  spaces are to be  satisfied  in  this  dissertation   in  providing   for  a  conducive  atmosphere   and  a befitting  environment  for the proper  orientation of youths  deployed  to the Federal Capital  Territory,  Abuja  and  other  secondary  activities.  Other  facilities  such  as worship  places,   Man-O’   War  bays   and  parade   ground   (adaptable   for  fitness courses),  dining and kitchen,  mammy  market  and maintenance/services etc.  would be handled on the site planning level.

1.8 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The project  research made use of primary  and secondary  sources of information. The primary sources and methods employed are as follows:

•    Oral interviews given to NYSC officials,

•    Questionnaires for youth corpers and other people,

•    Case studies (local and foreign)

•    Personal observation and experience

The secondary sources used are as follows:

•    Journals,

•    Unpublished works related to the study,

•    Text books,

•    Relevant thesis reports,

•    Newspaper, online and magazine articles

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