This una social media, I don't know why the things that should trend, will not trend.

Na only sexual-themed posts or podcast trends and goes far.

Listen to yesterday's podcast on the Honest Bunch Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqq0CIQfuXc) and do the needful, especially if you are in Lagos.

If possible, go to the ministry of lands and request for the map of the route the state government intends to take for the circular road they want to build and make sure your house or street is not on the axis.

They may charge you to print the map for you. Last time I did that here in Enugu, about five to six years ago, it was one thousand naira then.

Over eight hundred houses will be demolished!!!

Can you hear that?

Your landlord may be aware or not, they may be compensated but what happens to you?

They say, do your due diligence, you no gree because you feel you can get it cheaper without all that.

Look at the amount of demolition happening around major markets, particularly in Enugu state and Anambra state.

People have kpai, slumped, or developed mental issues from it.

If you can't afford a full property alone, buy it with someone, but do your due diligence.

Build a semi-detached (what we call flat) apartment on it. Your property partner go dey one side, get their own gate and all, you dey your own too.

Save yourself.

Architectably yours,
TEA.

P.S: If you or you have a client or friend who is looking to do residential or commercial type projects, whether new or remodelling or downsizing, I can help you or them to develop customised architectural design solutions.

P.P.S: Good design primarily caters to the well-being of the user.

Are you a Retiree, Empty Nester, or a Senior? Have you heard of the term "downsizing your home"?

Perhaps you have, but you don't know where or how to start.

***

Our fathers built their houses based on the present conditions they were in. They built to accommodate every member of the house, forgetting that they are children and will eventually grow up, want their own space, get married, and move away.

With the increasing japa syndrome, most big houses are abandoned and left to deteriorate.

I'm a strong advocate of a 3- or 4-bedroom house. A better idea is a building plan, designed from the get-go to be modified to a 2 bedroom and the remaining bedrooms can be rented out as a single self-contained room or a 1-bedroom apartment.

Your dream home might be a 6-bedroom or a 10-bedroom because you want a large family. Will that family still be that large, all staying in that home in 15 years from the time you complete and move into that home?

Think again.

I'm currently designing a 4-bedroom bungalow. It will come with a modification plan. In the modification plan, you can convert the plan to a 2-bedroom and a 1-bedroom apartment or 2 separate self-contained rooms.

For the 2-bedroom side, the second room serves as a guest room for your visitor's, while the 1-bedroom apartment or 2 separate self-contained rooms can be used as shortlets or for rents.

***

There are many reasons why you might want to move to a smaller and more affordable space, such as saving money, simplifying your lifestyle, or relocating to a different area.

To do this efficiently, you must plan for it.

You will have to declutter and let go of a lot of items and tools that have not being in use for a long time.
You will have to embrace lots of smart storage spaces for smaller houses.
You will need an Architect who understands your new space design needs.

Ready to downsize your existing home? Send us a WhatsApp message. https://volarchyltd.com/contact/

Architectably yours,
TEA.

PS: Good design primarily caters to the well-being of the user.

#TheEntrepreneurialArchitect
#Architect #EnuguArchitect #NigerianArchitect
#BuildingServices #BuildingDesignServices #buildingmaintenance

Image credit: Image by freepik.

Roberta became a mother in 2018 to a pre-term baby girl weighing about 1.2kg. She spent months in and out of the hospital within the first few months and it was mentally and psychologically draining for her; being a new mom.

Initially, she struggled to find foods for her baby and when she wanted to introduce her baby to solid food, the baby's health reacted to the additives and unhealthy substances found in most baby foods.

She panicked and began looking for healthier options. She couldn’t find any. So, she chose to create her own food to feed her baby. She chose fruits and vegetables from local farms that used only natural manure to grow their crops.

This pre-term baby girl weighing 1.2 kg at birth, will be six years old this year 2024. A testament to healthy baby food.

You too can be like Roberta. Save your baby’s health.

That bold singular act to make her baby food, birthed Moppet.

Moppet baby foods is made from locally sourced farm produce grown with natural manure, made with love to give your baby a healthy baby weight. No unhealthy ADDITIVES or PRESERVATIVES.

It comes in a 3 variety of nutrients of Mixgrain, Nutmeal, and Veggies.

Moppet Mixgrain is made with Fonio, Oats, Avocado, Dates, Rice, and Corn.
Moppet Nutmeal is made with Banana, Peanut, Dates, Corn, Millet, and Jowar.
Moppet Veggies is made with Sweet Potatoes, Pawpaw, Carrot, Green Peas, and Jowar.

Dear Moms, you should try all variants for your baby. Give your baby a Moppet Mixgrain food for breakfast, a Moppet Nutmeal for lunch, and a Moppet Veggies for dinner.

To prepare the food, put the quantity you would normally mix for a pap food, then mix with warm water. Add milk (optional) and feed your baby a nourishing meal.

The packaging comes in 300g and 500g sizes. You can buy a single pack of each, a carton of each (contains 12), or a carton that has 4 of the 3 variants (4 packs of Mixgrain, 4 packs of Nutmeal, and 4 packs of Veggies, making it 12).

The best and fastest way to get Moppet products is to order it online. Don’t worry, you will not need to insert your ATM card details, if you are afraid. Read how to make the transfer online without worries if you are ordering in Nigeria. https://ebeleubaka.com/how-to-use-the-transfer-method-for-online-payment-options-instead-of-requesting-for-account-details/

***

Here are your options to order https://ebeleubaka.com/reasons-to-choose-moppet-baby-foods-for-a-healthy-baby-weight/;
1.
Variant Carton sizes (containing 12 packets of 4 Mixgrain, 4 Nutmeal, 4 Veggies)
For 300g size and 500g size.

2.
Carton sizes (containing 12 packets);
For 300g, Moppet Mixgrain or Moppet Nutmeal or Moppet Veggie.
For 500g, Moppet Mixgrain or Moppet Nutmeal or Moppet Veggie.

3.
Single packs;
For 300g, Moppet Mixgrain or Moppet Nutmeal or Moppet Veggie.
For 500g, Moppet Mixgrain or Moppet Nutmeal or Moppet Veggie.

Your baby will thank you for making the right food choice.

#MoppetChampion

I have always heard about Mortgage, and I assumed it was abroad people's thing.

Then we were taught in school that you can help your architecture clients raise funding for their building projects.

I went to do my own research.

I visited the Federal Mortgage bank to understand how it works.

When I got there, I gathered that you have to create an account with all the usual KYC details (picture passport, utility bills, guarantor, etc).

You are also required to submit information about your workplace because the account is funded from your 2.5% of your NHF scheme.

That is 2.5% of your basic salary monthly.

NHF means National Housing Fund. Learn more here... https://www.fmbn.gov.ng/National%20Housing%20Fund/nhf.php

So, every month, say, you are earning 100,000 naira monthly, you will be sending 2,500 naira monthly.

I don't understand how they do it for private sectors, because you are not supposed to be the one sending the money yourself. Your employer is supposed to withhold it and send to the mortgage bank, then it will reflect in your account. Just like the way taxes are paid.

Your account will be active for a minimum of 1 year before you can start accessing funds/loans.

Now, when you want to access funding for your building project, you will go to the Mortgage bank and fill the necessary forms for a housing loan.

They will check your account and see if you are eligible for the amount you are requesting for and then calculate it to see if you will be able to pay off the loan you are requesting for by the time you turn 60 years old. Interest is calculated as required.

At 60, you are not eligible to operate a Mortgage account anymore, and if you have been contributing to the account all your work life till 60 years old and you never accessed any loans, you are now eligible to take your whole money and go.

They said it also serves as part of your retirement plan.

Now here is the catch.

It seems, they are not really paying out that money to seniors who have clocked 60 years or retired.

While I was there, I had finished discussing with the people in the inner office and I came out to the reception, chitchatting with the receptionist, a senior lady walked in and heard the receptionist responding to my questions.

She immediately deduced that I was asking about mortgage, and she started shouting, "You people said you will pay me my balance and you haven't done that till today. I'm over 60 years old and I have nothing to show for my service."

I was shocked. I looked at the receptionist and she was avoiding eye contact. They just told me in the inner office that they pay. She stopped responding to me.

I went back to my house.

Later that day, I called another senior citizen, who I know is over 60 years and also was in the public sector service if they have received their Mortgage balance and the reply was a resounding NO.

Perhaps, that might be the reason why young people are not contributing to the scheme or why the scheme being a compulsory contribution for employers was recently made an optional thing.

That amendment for optional contribution was made for the private sector. Read it here... https://www.templars-law.com/knowledge-centre/amendment-of-the-national-housing-fund-act-and-contribution-into-the-national-housing-fund/

So, are there true beneficiaries of this scheme or is it a paper thing?

If you know someone who has benefitted, let me know.

In hiring standard architectural services, there are seven stages, and you can get an Architect involved at any stage.

An Architect hired to supervise your building construction is stage seven in standard services.

During construction, in simple terms, he checks what the contractor is doing on your site, ensuring that the right materials are in the right mix, watches the construction budget, and construction time.

The supervising Architect does not go to your site every day. He/She is required to visit your site ONCE every MONTH.

Any other visit depends on the type of work the Contractor is doing or if the Contractor requires the Architect's presence.

When the Contractor requests for payment for work done, the Architect checks the quality of the work and ensures the amount requested for is the same as the amount of work done on site.

If the Architect is satisfied, he/she issues a payment certificate, giving the go ahead to you, the client to make payment.
But not all the amount is paid.

Let's say that the total amount of work done is a hundred thousand naira, the Architect tells you to withhold a five percent of the money and pay the other part.

So, you will pay ninety-five thousand naira and keep five thousand naira.

That five percent withheld is called Moiety. It's not your money. You are not expected to spend it.

Moiety is kept for the defects liability period.

To be continued.

Over the weekend, due to the increasing menace of building collapse, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has come strong against the perpetrators of the ugly incidents in the country, saying that henceforth offenders (as in builders, contractors, architects involved) would be prosecuted. (Source: The Sun) https://thesun.ng/fg-threatens-to-prosecute-offenders-of-building-collapse/

Where do you as a client come in?
You ensure that registered professionals design and handle the construction of your building projects.

You might consider working with professionals expensive, but it is more expensive to deal with a building collapse in the long run.

One of the benefits of hiring a professional architect for supervising your building construction is to control or monitor payments and claims to contractors based on performance, quality standards, and project progress, thereby preventing clients from being cheated.

This simply means that a supervising architect, evaluates the works the contractor is doing on your site, ensures quality, then looks at the payments and claims the contractor is demanding you the client to pay him to be sure the amount of work the contractor is demanding payment for was done satisfactorily before you the client pays the contractor.

Architectably yours,
TEA.

#EbeleTheArchitect #TheEntrepreneurialArchitect
#Architect #EnuguArchitect #NigerianArchitect
#BuildingServices #BuildingDesignServices #buildingmaintenance

I once wrote to you about the need for accessibility in public buildings and facilities. Read it here https://shyarchitect.com/accessible-buildings-accessibility-checks/

During my NYSC in 2015, I remember our CDS required us to visit a Deaf and Dumb school, somewhere in Ikeja. That was my first experience coming in contact with a large impairment audience.

The noise from the students was alarming. I wondered how the teachers controlled the noise. I saw the sign language communication and was amazed. I didn't understand anything they signed unless someone interpreted it.

The regular way teachers would shout or hit cane on the desk to draw our attention doesn't work with them.

One way I know to get the attention of a speech or hearing-impaired person is the use of light. Red light or flashing red light.

The Government of Ekiti state issued a post on the X (Twitter) account:

" #DidYouKnow that Part II of Ekiti State Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Law mandates accessibility of public spaces, public premises, and public buildings? With a five-year transition period before the enforcement of penalties, Ekiti State Government has demonstrated a commitment to enacting enforceable policies that promote inclusion for all. Some of our initiatives aimed at supporting persons with disabilities include the distribution of essential tools such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and braille machines to special schools in Ekiti State. We have also established therapy rooms and employed specialized therapists to support students with disabilities. Furthermore, Ekiti State Government has recently registered over 2,300 persons with disabilities for the comprehensive free medical care policy. This underscores our commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in Ekiti by upholding the rights of every member of our society, providing equal access to opportunities, and improving the quality of life for our people. #DisabilityRights #rampupnigeria #SharedProsperity "

In Ekiti state, you have until end of 2025 to make accessible your public buildings and facilities.

I believe other states in Nigeria should take heed too.

With this notice, I will ask you again: is your public building Accessible?

Contact us to see how our Accessibility services can help you. https://volarchyltd.com/accessibility-services/

Things are trending and happening daily but how do you keep tabs on them without running around from one post to the other or loosing valuable time surfing for news, or at least the news that matter?

Ever heard of Google Alerts?

It's a notification account by Google that enables you receive updates of your choice from latest posts on the internet. You can receive notifications on matters relating to grants, businesses, events, jobs, etc. It depends on the words you use.

How to setup alerts for yourself.

If you already have a google account, go to the alert page (https://www.google.com.ng/alerts), ensure you are logged into the google account you want the alert emails to be sent to by checking the account logo.

→ Use the search bar as shown below to search for what you want to receive.

→ Click on Show options to edit the settings as shown below or as you wish.

→ Click on Create Alert, you are done.

Add as many topics as you want to stay updated on.

Wait for the next 24 hours to start receiving latest notifications on your topics via email.

I hope this helps you.

Somewhere in Nigeria, a city called Enugu stands with a beautiful display of architectural styles that blends the old with the new. Walking through the streets, you can see the remnants of British colonial rule, with buildings that feature high ceilings, old casement and louvred windows, white-washed walls, picket fence, and wide verandas, offering a nostalgic charm in older neighbourhoods and government areas.

The cityscape is also dotted with modern minimalist homes, known for their straight lines, open spaces, and functional design. These structures are big on simplicity and efficiency, often incorporating large glass windows and neutral colour palettes, showing a growing trend amongst Enugu's city dwellers.

If you go further, you’ll find homes that pay homage to the Igbo culture. Traditional Igbo-style buildings use local materials like mud bricks and thatch, with spacious courtyards, filled with trees and natural soil, designed to promote natural ventilation. These homes are a perfect fit for Enugu’s warm climate and serve as a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Contemporary designs are another highlight, it blends modern aesthetics with traditional elements. These structures use sustainable materials and smart home technologies, offering a stylish and eco-friendly option for the city’s residents.

Another attractive quality to Enugu’s landscape is the Art Deco. This comes with bold geometric patterns, bright colours, and costly details, this style is often seen in commercial buildings and expensive residences, which speaks of elegance and sophistication.

As you explore Enugu, the energy and diversity of its architectural styles reveal a city that values its history while embracing the future. Each building tells a story, contributing to the rich and varied material of Enugu’s architectural landscape.

Thanks for reading through. If you want sustainable designs in Enugu, don't hesitate to reach us via 07039971206. We provide all kinds of building service designs.

While you are creating and engaging in the trend "gwo gwo gwo ngwo", actually listen to the song and understand the lyrics.

If you are not Igbo, find an Igbo person near you to interpret it or search for it online.

The song is not just cruise, it's a folklore that was used to teach young ones about the dangers of friends asking you to excort them to places you know nothing about.

Igbos preserve some of their lessons in songs which are handed over from one generation to another.

Praises are stored in mbem.

Some of the traditions are dying off. No tales by moonlight again, which was were we learnt about customs and lifestyle of ndi Igbo.

When I was growing up, on occasions where someone is telling you a story that has no leg, my late mother will refer to such matters as "onye ahu na ako akuko Mike Ejeagha"

Because, he was known for telling long stories in his music.

I hope you actually enjoy the song and lyrics.

Also listen to "Ike di na Nnewi" by Onowu Ugonabo. This song tells the research story conducted in finding out the first person to become wealthy in Igboland.

Watch below a typical mbem presented by Hon. Sir Olisa Johnbosco Onwuatuegwu, an Abuja -based real estate practitioner. He is so good that he was able to turn the head of the masquerade using mbem (native hype).
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=219977844437460&external_log_id=92951166-52e1-472a-9ca9-6337df90004a&q=a

Ndi Igbo ga adi.

Your Igbotic babe.

Pinterest platform is basically image/video posting. It's not much for text.

Unlike Facebook that limits your traffic, making users to view your content on their browser by default, Pinterest sends you organic traffic just like Google.

Start by creating an account. Preferably a business account instead of a personal one. The business account has more features.

Use the search bar at the top to find anything.

A pin is a posted image/video. Same way you make a post on Facebook in a text format.

A board is basically categories. It's a way of grouping your pins/posts. If I'm posting pins on blogging, I will pin/add them to a board I created for all things blogging.

I can also create another board for food or clothes or arts and crafts.

I can add people to my board to keep the board active even on the days I don't pin.

The way you see a post on Facebook here and save it to a collection, that's the same way I can pin what someone had posted to the existing boards I have created.

Use Canva or Adobe or any software of your choice to create the images you wish to post. They already have templates you can use.

A typical pin should be legible at a glance (no one has the time to zoom in to read tiny letters). It consists of texts, images, a call to action and a website.

You need a brand colour to make all your pins/posts stand out to your audience.

Standard measurement for your pin/picture is width 1000px x 1500px height.

When you want to create a pin to post, here is what you should do.

Use Pinterest trends to find keywords of what people are searching for online, so that you can create pins that address that. This will guide you effectively. You can watch this video to see how to effectively do your keyword research.

If you cannot afford the keyword tool that was shown in the video (pinclicks), you can use the free Google Keyword Planner, although I must confess that the former tool is effective.

To create a Pin, you will need,
A title (this should contain your keywords).
An Image/Video.
A description of the image with keywords.
A web link (website, app, WhatsApp etc).
Tags (optional).

To gain any traction, you will be consistent for at least 3 months, posting 7-15 pins daily.

Don't post all at once, schedule the pins to go live at intervals throughout the day.

Post to a specific board and only add a pin to another board if relevant. Do this after about 3-5 days of the initial post.

If you have a website, go to settings and use the claim website to also improve how the algorithm perceives your account.

For the links in the post, → https://ebeleubaka.com/basic-pinterest-platform-setup/


I hope this helps you.

Lacrete Blocks: These are made from a mix of laterite soil, clay soil, water, and a small amount of cement, thoroughly mixed and moulded. It has good thermal properties and creates a cool interior.

Clay Bricks: Locally sourced clay bricks are affordable and ideal for Enugu's climate. They offer excellent thermal insulation, keeping homes cool in hot weather and warm during cooler periods. Their durability also reduces long-term maintenance costs.

Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs): CEBs are made from a mix of soil and a small amount of cement, compressed to form sturdy blocks. They have good thermal properties and reduce the need for additional insulation.

When you choose these building materials, you can construct timeless, comfortable, bespoke, and affluent homes perfectly suited to Enugu's climate.

Thanks for reading through. If you want sustainable designs in Enugu, don't hesitate to reach us via 07039971206. We provide all kinds of building service designs.

Sustainable building practices are gaining traction in Enugu and Nigeria, offering numerous benefits to homeowners and the environment. When you incorporate eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient design elements, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint while creating a healthy living space.

How can you do this?
By using local materials: Choose locally sourced materials like laterite/clay bricks and bamboo. It also supports the local economy and reduces transportation costs and emissions. These materials are naturally suited to Enugu's climate, offering better durability and insulation.

Consider energy efficiency: Installing solar panels is a smart way to harness the hilltop advantage of Enugu's abundant sunlight. Solar energy can power your home and reduce reliance on the grid, leading to lower electricity bills and a smaller environmental impact.

By conserving water: Installing rainwater harvesting systems such as underground storage tanks, helps conserve water and reduce the strain and dependence on municipal supplies. Using collected rainwater for gardening, car-wash, plumbing for toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses is both economical and sustainable.

Changing to green roofs and walls, planting vegetation on roofs and walls not only improves air quality but also provides insulation, keeping your home cooler in the hot Enugu climate. This practice reduces the need for air conditioning and lowers energy consumption.

Adequate interior ventilation: Your home should be designed to maximize natural ventilation, reducing the need for artificial cooling systems. This can be achieved through strategic window placement and the use of ventilated facades.

Adopting these sustainable building practices in Enugu can lead to healthier living environments, lower utility costs, and a positive impact on the planet. Start building sustainably today for a better tomorrow.

Thanks for reading through. If you want sustainable designs in Enugu, don't hesitate to reach us via 07039971206. We provide all kinds of building service designs.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Lina555:
Thanks for this info! I'm going to buy solar panels next month. I wonder whether I'll need to clean solar panels. If yes, how often will I need to do this?

As I stated in the post. You will have to discuss with your solar installer for specifics on maintenance due to varying product type. You can use this link to reach out to this solar inverter specialist. https://www.facebook.com/chibuzo.emeti
Thank you.

Post closed.

The most famous building roof types are gable, hip, lean-to, flat, butterfly, curved, dome, mansard, and concrete roofs. See the pictures below for clarity.

In a tropical climate like Nigeria, "with about 7 months of heavy rains during the rainy season", according to the World Bank Group; a flat roof system (180 degrees) is not a good option. The cost of roof installation increases daily and the gradual switch to renewable energy is gaining ground.

Most residential homes and other buildings are using rooftops for solar panel installation for two major reasons. This is to take advantage of all solar angles and also to reduce robbery.

In using energy gotten from solar panels, you may have noticed that the rate at which your solar batteries get fully charged reduces over time.  One thing to consider in solar panel installations is that there is a need to make provisions on how to clean the surfaces of these panels, once every year.

Continue reading here...https://shyarchitect.com/roof-type-for-solar-installation/

Post closed.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Post closed.

Thank you. @SuperNova33

Post closed.

My M.Sc 1 first semester design project was to design a Domestic Airport.

The next decision to make after choosing the aircraft size I was designing for was the Runway direction and length.

The aircraft determines the length of the runway.

I did this by studying the given site to determine the wind directions.

The North-East trade wind and South-West monsoon wind.

I made provisions for a meteorological station on the site that determines the wind direction at any take-off and landing time and communicates the information to the tower, who then informs the pilot at what ends of the runway to use for take-off and landing.

I also provided the Apron where the aircraft's are parked or serviced.

There were lots of facilities to provide for this transportation means. And I learnt a lot.

One of the things I learnt was that the aircraft has to go against the wind direction.


That means, if the wind is coming from the North-East direction, the pilot will use the South-West runway end for takeoff.

If he takes-off with the wind, the strong winds could blow it away, but being against the wind, creates the momentum it needs to rise above the ground.

While landing, it still goes against the wind to help break it's landing speed along the runway.

So, why are you waiting for everything to be in your favor before you take-off?

Why are you stuck in the Apron constantly servicing that idea?
Come out and take-off.

Peep the Site Plan and 3D draft, July, 2017.

© The Entrepreneurial Architect.