Project Performance
In partnership with Block Solutions and Pelita Foundation, we build five permanent, environmentally sustainable, and earthquake-resistant classrooms. The construction turnaround was very rapid, completed within a total of 36 days. The local building team gained new skills in constructing buildings using Eco-Block technology. These skills will be taught to others for future Eco-Block projects. The students and teachers of Taman Sari Primary School are now able to settle into a safe, permanent school building, knowing that it will last for their remaining primary school years and those of future generations. The building cost came in slightly above the original budget of US$46,890, due to additions made to ensure the areas surrounding the classrooms are safe, as well as extra transport costs.
Environmental sustainability was a high priority for this project. The Eco-Blocks used to construct the classroom walls are carbon neutral and produced from 100% recycled materials. Other building materials were sourced locally or repaired and reused where possible. For example, the existing foundations were retained and some of the school furniture was refurbished. The Eco-Blocks are earthquake-resistant and certified to last 100 years. The lower parts of the walls have been rendered in sand cement, to protect them from potential fire hazards. As Taman Sari Primary School is a registered government school, it will be maintained and run by the staff and community. The government will provide teacher salaries, staff training, and school materials.