SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES 2

nd
QUARTER 2002

SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES II
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE FACILITIES



CONTENTS



EXPLANATION TO THE REVISED VERSION
INTRODUCTION BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL



1
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOS
CHILDRENS VILLAGE FACILITIES
1.1 Introduction
1.2 General conditions for SOS Childrens Villages
1.3 General conditions for SOS Kindergartens
1.4 General conditions for SOS Hermann-Gmeiner-Schools
1.5 General conditions for SOS Social Centres
1.6 Technical construction conditions for the construction of SOS Childrens Village facilities



2
CONSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE REALISATION OF SOS CHILDRENS
VILLAGE FACILITIES
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Graphic procedure



3
FORMS
3.1 Five Year Construction Plan
3.2 Project Proposal New Construction and Extension
3.3 Project Proposal Renovation
3.4 Project Proposal Purchase
3.5 Project Proposal FIFA
3.6 Construction Site Checklist
3.7 Project Accompanying Table and Construction Report
3.8 Contract Checklist
3.9 Analyses of Offer
3.10 Request for Construction Funds


SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES 2
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EXPLANATION TO THE REVISED VERSION


The last five years, since the introduction of the first version of our Construction Guidelines,
have been characterized by a good, constructive cooperation between the Regional Offices and
the International Office regarding to the construction activities of SOS Childrens Villages.
Basis for this was the first version of the SOS Childrens Village Construction Guidelines,
where general conditions are documented and administrative procedures are embedded.

Not only the necessary adjustment of some administrative procedures, due to the introduction of
our new Project Controlling Systems (PCS), but above all the experiences of the last years in the
practical application of the Construction Guidelines motivated us to develop an improved
version.

The aim was to simplify the procedures system and the forms in a way, that only a minimum of
information, which actually will be further processed, is recorded. This means, that all the
information, which in fact was collected in the past years but was not further processed at all or
rarely further processed, will be removed from the system. Thus, in the construction reports for
example, the column paid till now is dropped from now on, as this information is
automatically shown in GLOBAL and therefore it is not necessary to double record it.

Should any problems arise in the understanding of the new VERSION II, please contact the
Construction Commission via e- mail. We will be happy to assist you to solve problems and to
eliminate misunderstandings.

We wish you much success and pleasure with the updated and simplified VERSION II, as it
should make work easier and more efficient on both sides.


Construction Commission February 2002

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INTRODUCTION BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL


SOS Childrens Villages have been dealing not only with the human development but also with
the practical set- up of SOS Childrens Village facilities since 1949. We have gained a wide
knowledge about construction and the running of our projects over the years. Much has been
written about this field which can be summarised in the few simple words below:

1. We should already start thinking about the future when choosing a site. Only a locality,
which is well integrated, can enable us to find a home for our children within sensible
financial limits.
2. We work together with local architects for a good reason: to give each project a typical local
component. But we must bear in mind that we cannot afford to experiment.
3. Our buildings should be simple and solid. They are designed to be used for a long time and
they should be easily maintained.
4. The buildings should be planned with heard to give the feeling that they are a home.
5. The size and furnishings should be standardised. It must be possible for our children to be
able to move out of these homes and integrate themselves into society without suffering a
shock.

We are in the lucky position to be able to look back on numerous successful projects all over the
world. This should give us the incentive to create even more model projects. We also have to
take into consideration the experiences we have gained from problem cases.

The aim of these Construction Guidelines is first of all to aid the co-workers in the field, a list of
the most important criteria for the construction and to provide a simple tool to control the
project. The Construction Commission at the International Office of SOS-Kinderdorf
International has also received the instructions to ensure that the contents of the guidelines are
put to use all over the world. At the same time they have to follow the development of each
project. In order for this to be successful, I know that I can rely on all co-workers involved in
setting up the projects to give their full support. This will enable us to realise a construction
standard, which is in line with the vision, mission and values of the SOS-Childrens Village
organisation and which we all can be proud of. Our projects are houses in which our children
live. They should feel as comfortable there as we would like to feel, if we were at their place.




Richard Pichler
Secretary General









SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES 2
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1 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE PLANNING AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE FACILITIES


This chapter can be passed on to the architect for his information and as a working document.

The general guidelines for SOS Children's Villages apply to the areas of all rooms including
side rooms, sanitary areas and circulation areas. Covered terrace areas are assessed with a factor
of 0.5. Staircases and yards are not included.

We request that specific reasons for any non-compliance with the general conditions be included
in the Project Proposal.


1.1 INTRODUCTION


Our SOS Children's Village facilities should be designed in a simple, solid and practical manner.

We should attempt, in any case, to use experienced local specialists (taking into consideration
what resources are available in that country) to carry out the planning.
The project should be awarded to a local building contractor. This is because it will keep costs
to a minimum and the contractors will have the experience of using local building materials and
methods. This also means that local workers will be involved from the start and it will make the
integration of the SOS Children's Village into the community much easier.

Whilst carrying out "simple" construction, it is absolutely necessary to make use of building
materials locally available and of the typical technical methods for finishing. This is usually the
most cost-effective method. It also means that local staff and specialists will be able to carry out
repairs and maintenance themselves and, furthermore, that the local economy is being
supported. Of course conforming construction should in no case be mistaken with historising
construction, which expresses itself by outdated and obsolete methods of construction and
unnecessary and purely optical detail solutions. We are neither curators of monuments nor is it
our mission to realise open-air museums.

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LIST OF THE DOCUMENTS AND PLANS TO BE PROVIDED AT THE PROJECT
PLANNING STAGE OF SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE FACILITIES


Project planning cover sheet, which provides essential basic planning information for the
project in standardised form.
Layout plan (M = 1:500).
If the site is on a slope, a topographic section is required.
Floor plans of all buildings (M = 1:100) including furniture.
Elevations (M = 1:100).
Sections (M = 1:100).
A section from roof to foundation, through a window, showing the materials to be used as
well as the planned construction method (M = 1:20).
If possible, an axonometric view of the whole project (can be done by hand!), giving an
overall impression.
Estimation of construction costs as in the "Project Accompanying Table" and Construction
Report (1st column).


FORMAL LAYOUT OF THE PROJECT PLANS


The size of the plans should be max. A3 (297 x 420 mm)
The whole project planning should be bound or stapled in the order shown above.


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1.2 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES


GENERAL

SOS Childrens Villages are in the focus of the worldwide SOS Childrens Village work. They
provide orphaned and destitute children with a new and permanent home. At the same time the
children receive an adequate education and a solid preparation for an independent life. They can
stay in the SOS Childrens Village until their independence.
The children in the SOS Childrens Villages live with their SOS Mother and brothers and sisters
(6 to 12 boys and girls of different ages) in their own house. Natural siblings are not separated.
The SOS Childrens Village is run by a qualified Village Director who, together with the SOS
Aunts and the educational staff, supports and advises the SOS Mothers.
The village community is a valuable extension to the SOS family and serves as a link with the
community. The people who live there play an active role in the local community. If possible,
the children attend local schools and kindergartens.


BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR AN SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE

10-15 FAMILY HOUSES
1 SOS VILLAGE DIRECTOR'S HOUSE
1 COMMUNITY AREA
SOS Aunts House
Guest House
1 VILLAGE FACILITY
Administration
Multipurpose Building
Workshop with Garage
If required - one to three Co-workers Residences
OUTDOOR AREAS
PLAY AREAS
SPORTS FIELDS


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FAMILY HOUSE max. 130 m


This is the most important building in the SOS Children's Village, because the children spend
most of their time there. Therefore, it is of vital importance that these buildings are planned and
built in a simple, modest, functional and solid manner.
The SOS Mothers, who will live there, will most likely accept the family houses as their home if
they have the opportunity to take part in the design of the interior (choice of wall paper, colours,
floor coverings, furniture, basic household equipment, etc.).


Room Programme

1 Living/Dining area
1 Kitchen with larder
1 SOS Mother's room
2-3 Children's rooms
1 Bathroom area (2 toilets, 2 showers, wash basin)
In cold regions where heating is necessary, an additional boiler room (4-6m
2
) can be
planned.
In regions where food (potatoes, vegetables, and jams) is usually stored, an additional
storeroom (4-6m
2
) can be planned.


SOS VILLAGE DIRECTOR'S HOUSE max. 100 m


The house, which is put at the disposal of the SOS Village Director and his family, should be
designed to accommodate a family of four. Recent experience has shown that especially in
African countries the families of SOS Village Directors are mostly larger than assumed so far.
For this reason the net area of presently 90 m
2
was increased to 100 m
2
. The quality and
standard of comfort should be the same as that of the family house.

Room Programme

1 Living/Dining Area
1 Kitchen with larder
1 Bedroom
2 Children's rooms
2 Bathroom areas (1 toilet, 1 shower, wash basin), if, for cultural and religious reasons, gender
separation is absolutely necessary, two sanitary areas can be planned.

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COMMUNITY AREA


SOS Aunts House 100 m to a max. of 140 m

This is the home for 4 to 7 SOS Aunts (depending on the number of families in the village). The
emphasis there should focus on their living-together, as they eat their meals in the community
area. It should be designed in the same manner as a family house but the sanitary facilities must
be adapted as required.

Room Programme

1 Living area with kitchenette
3-5 SOS Aunts' rooms
1 Guest toilet
Sanitary unit (similar to family house) with two showers and two toilets.
If required one-room-apartments with separate entrance for educators, nurses etc.
In cold regions where heating is necessary, an additional boiler room (4-6m
2
) can be planned.
In regions where food (potatoes, vegetables, and jams) is usually stored, an additional
storeroom (4-6m
2
) can be planned.


Guest House 60 m to a max. of 80 m

It should be possible to accommodate two to three guests there. It can be planned as a single
building or it could be a part of the administration or of the aunts house.

Room Programme

1 Living area with kitchenette
2-3 Guest rooms (with own small sanitary area each)


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VILLAGE FACILITIES


This area is made up of the buildings listed below, which can either be put together in one
complex or designed as separate structures.


Administration max. 130 m

Offices, which are necessary for the running of the village (Village Director, management,
educational) should be in there. A facility should be included where SOS aunts, staff and guests
can eat and spend time together.

Room Programme

4 Offices
1 Archive
1 Meeting room
1 Bathroom area (2 toilets, washbasin)
1 Kitchen
1 Dining room ( calculation of floor area for approximately 10 people).
In case the possibility for undisturbed study and/or additional tuition shall be provided for the
children in this house, an additional study (library) must be included in the plans ( max. net area
for the study or library is 25 m).


Multipurpose Building max. 100 m

The purpose of this building is to hold events and meetings organized by the SOS Children's
Village itself and by people from the community or outside persons. It should only be
constructed if there is no other SOS Children's Village facility on the site, which has a meeting
hall (Social Center, Kindergarten, etc.). In warmer regions the multipurpose building can be a
simple, open building.

Room Programme

1 Meeting hall
1 Sanitary unit (for ladies and gents, at least 2+2 toilets)
1 Store room

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Workshop with Garage max. 60 m

This is where the SOS Children's Village cars are kept. Facilities for small repair jobs of all
types and the storage of various items should also be included.

Room Program

1 Double garage
1 Workshop
1 Store room
1 Sanitary unit


Co-workers Residences max. 80 m

Single houses or buildings containing several units can be planned. It is also possible to
integrate a co-workers unit into the workshop area.

Room Program

1 Living/Dining area
1 Kitchen with larder
1 Bedroom
1 Childrens room
1 Sanitary unit (1 toilet, 1 shower, wash basin)

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OUTDOOR AREAS

We need to be very careful with the design of outdoor areas, as they strongly influence the
character of an SOS Childrens Village. Again the principles of modesty and simplicity apply to
prevent the development of high maintenance parks, which stand out from the surrounding
reality. The following guidelines for the planning and construction of outdoor areas shall be
considered.


Streets, paths, places

Generally, paved areas within the SOS Childrens Village should be kept to a necessary
minimum. Streets and parking spaces should end in the village entrance area at the
administration. For the rest of the SOS Childrens Village pathways only would suffice. Only
service vehicles, in exceptional cases or with unusually large deliveries, should enter the inside
of the SOS Childrens Village. The path layout ideally covers only the shortest possible
connection between buildings, the design of places is modest and above all offers the children
the possibility for unrestraint play and frolic. Seldom used amphitheatres, often built in the past,
can be left out.
All the same, every SOS Childrens Village shall be equipped with a good playground based on
educational principles, which can also be spread out over the entire SOS Childrens Village
in-so called play spots.


Plantings and parks

It is best to develop around every family house a strip of garden, maintained by SOS Mothers
and children, or a strip of well maintained beds. All other parks are simple lawns with trees,
which are mowed or cut when necessary. In dry regions where hardly any natural vegetation
exists, there is no need for lush artificially irrigated green to flower and flourish throughout our
SOS Childrens Villages. It is entirely sufficient to grow plants around the buildings, which are
maintained by the users of the respective houses.

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PLAY AREAS IN THE SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGES

This chapter was compiled in cooperation with a psychologist and an architect spezialised in this
area. Therefore this new part of the Construction Guidelines is longer and more detailed.


The play area in the SOS Childrens Village

Children develop their physical, psychological and social skills in interaction with the
environment. Thus play is not only a passtime for children but also a learning process for life. If
we provide the children with play areas, which stimulate movement and the senses, we support
their health, we support them emotionally and thus promote above all their self confidence.


A network of play areas or a central play area in the SOS Childrens Village?

Our standard plans within an SOS Childrens Village mostly designated one central play area in
the centre of the village.
Experience however showed that play areas linked together, i.e. several smaller play areas
distributed all over the entire SOS Childrens Village, provide the possibility for play in the
whole SOS Childrens Village and that this concept favours the creativity of the children far
more.


Separation of the play area into a calm and an active zone within the central play area

Play requirements of children depend on their age and also on their spontaneous desire and
mood. Thus older ones sometimes feel the desire to play in active zones (=noisy zones) whereas
the smaller ones more often feel well in quiet zones.
The sports ground also belongs to the active play area and so we want at this point refer straight
to the SOS Childrens Village Guidelines for the construction of sports fields. This manual is
also available on the intranet at the following address:

http://intra.sos-kd.org/kdi/fieldsofwork/construction/manuals/pdfe/sportplcompl.pdf
















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PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Central play area

The separation into an active and a quiet zone should be stipulated already in the planning phase
by the SOS Children Village Project Manager and by the architect. The noisy zone can be
separated from the quiet zone by simply raising an earth wall during the initial construction
works the excavated material of the foundation trenches most of the time not needed can be
used for this with other material. In case a constructed separation is not desired, a separation in
form of a hedge can also be considered.


Network of individual play areas

Several smaller play areas are distributed over the whole of the SOS Childrens Village. Active
and quiet zones are already separated from each other by this distribution and therefore no
construction or gardening arrangements are necessary.


Chronological development of play areas

It is important that shaded areas (planting of trees in the play areas) are prepared already during
the initial construction phase and that part of the site will be left untouched. In this wild area
plants of all kind will grow naturally. In this area children should have the opportunity to
discover, to play and to create without grown-ups interfering with this natural play habitat.
Initially only a basic structure shall be created (earth wall as a separation, shaded areas and
maybe a sandpit). When the first family houses will be occupied, a swing can be built in the
active zone. All other play equipment, recesses and retreats will be implemented at a later stage
together with the children and SOS Mothers.

Drawings and details for play equipment will be available on SOS Intranet in 2003.


Which play areas/play equipment can be implemented after occupancy?


Separation area between active and quiet zone

Small childrens swings, a slide along the earth wall and if possible a water hole besides a
sandpit for the small children (quiet zone) can be planned in the separation area.

Active zone

These zones will accommodate areas for intensive play, e.g. opportunities for elementary
movement (swinging, turning, jumping, climbing and sliding) and ball games, and also meeting
points for youths. Children and youths can be provided with opportunities for creative building
in the simplest way by making empty crates, boards and tyres available to them.


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Quiet zone

Sandpits and water play areas and possibilities to retreat in form of play houses, bush houses and
seating areas for the parents can be offered in this area.
Recesses and retreats

Mysterious places and wild areas are always very interesting for children/youths as there is
nothing more beautiful than recesses, small cabins and other hideaways, which may be even a
little secluded from the play area itself. In terms of construction these hideaways are easy to
create with hedges and bushes in the form of tents. The wild area, where plants and bushes
grow wild and are able to develop without human intervention has also proved to be very
important.


SPORT FIELDS

For assistance with planning and design of our SOS Childrens Village sports fields we refer to
the SOS Childrens Village Sports Fields Guidelines. These are available on the intranet under

http://intra.sos-kd.org/kdi/fieldsofwork/construction/manuals/pdfe/sportplcompl.pdf

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1.3 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS KINDERGARTENS


GENERAL

The first SOS Kindergartens were built at the same time as the first SOS Childrens Villages in
Europe, later also in Asia, Latin America and Africa. SOS children attend public kindergartens
if possible. In regions with insufficient existing kindergartens and pre-school facilities, SOS
Kindergartens are built. They contribute to the integration into the neighborhood and are open to
the children of the surrounding areas. Therefore it would be ideal if they were situated in the
public area of the SOS Children's Village and if they were easily accessible to all outsiders. For
the children the SOS Kindergarten should be easy to become familiar with for the staff it should
be easy to manage. It should have good lighting and should be easy to ventilate for everybody.
The children do not need perfect or sophisticated furniture in order to be able to learn or gain
experience in social behavior. It is much more important that they have a structured and
stimulating environment, both in and outdoors.


ROOM PROGRAMME

Classrooms
Office area
Halls and passage ways
Activity or dining hall (if necessary)


THE CLASSROOMS

The central point of each SOS Kindergarten is the classroom. This classroom, along with its
storeroom, the toilets, the cloakroom and the halls and passageways constitute the so-called
group unit.

Guiding principles should be kept in mind when drawing up the plans:

Each classroom should be big enough to hold up 25 to 35 children, but not exceed 50 m. A
storeroom for toys and modeling equipment should be attached.
Sanitary Area: 3-4 wash basins, 2 toilets and if necessary a shower should be provided for every
25 children. The two sanitary areas can be separated by gender.
A kitchen with a larder should be planned if it is an all-day kindergarten.


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THE OFFICE AREA

This area can be kept only small, as the director of the SOS Kindergarten will not spend much
time there. The following should be included:

1 Director's office (as close as feasible to the entrance wherefrom it is possible to overlook the
SOS Kindergarten).
1 Staff room with integrated kitchenette (for kindergartens with more than 3 groups and no
dining facilities)
1 Staff toilet


ACTIVITY HALL

If there is no multipurpose hall within the SOS Children's Village already, an activity hall can be
accommodated in the SOS Kindergarten (with more than 3 groups). It should be restricted in
size to 60 m. The shape should be kept as square as possible and the height of the room should
be at least 3 m. The hall could be used also as dining hall.


HALLS AND PASSAGE-WAYS

These areas serve as an inside meeting area for parents and children (e.g. waiting area for
parents). 15 m per group should be enough. Space for the cloakroom should also be planned
there (0.2 m per child).
Should the climate conditions allow these areas to be outdoors, an open courtyard with an
arcade is usually a good solution.



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1.4 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SOS HERMANN GMEINER SCHOOLS


GENERAL

SOS children attend public schools if possible. SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools are built where
the infrastructure of the community to SOS Childrens Villages does not feature sufficient
school facilities. This is especially the case outside of Europe.
The SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools should be simple and solid model schools, which set an
pedagogical example. This means that the classes should have a maximum of 30 - 35 pupils with
adequate and high quality rooms.


THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Room Program

Classroom units
Sanitary units
Office area
Halls and passage ways
Canteen for all day schools
Sick bay (if required)


THE CLASSROOM UNIT

The classrooms together with the halls and passageways, the storerooms, the cloakrooms and the
toilets constitute a classroom unit.
The classrooms and halls and passageways should be designed in a stimulating fashion. They
should become communication rooms and meeting areas and thus form the hub of each SOS
Hermann Gmeiner School.

The following guidelines should be kept in mind when drawing up the plans:

One classroom for every 30 - 35 pupils with the maximum area of 50 m. If required a
storeroom for keeping various teaching equipment could be attached to each classroom.
The individual cloakrooms should also be linked to each classroom if possible.
Adequate light and cross-ventilation must be present in the classrooms. The area of the floor
plan should ideally be a rectangle with the proportions of 3:5.


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SANITARY UNITS

The following rules regarding toilet blocks, which for hygiene reasons (smell) should be free
standing (provided the climate allows it), have proven to be best:

One WC for every 25 pupils.
In the boys' toilets, 60% of the WCs should be replaced by urinals, with one urinal replacing one
WC.
One wash basin for every 50 pupils with a minimum of one wash basin in the anteroom of the
toilets.
Normally the sanitary units are separated according to gender. This should also be the case with
the teachers' toilets.
The walls in the sanitary units should be washable, scratchproof and graffiti-proof up to a height
of 2 m.
A suitable storeroom for cleaning materials and tools should be included in the plans for the
sanitary blocks.


THE OFFICE BLOCK

The rooms listed below should form a central unit with a floor area of no more than 120 m in
total. It should be kept in mind that this area is made easily accessible for children, parents and
teachers.

1 Director's office
1 Secretary's office
1 Library
1 Staff / Conference room (2.5 m per teacher)
1 Teaching equipment storeroom
1 Teachers' toilet


THE HALLS AND PASSAGE-WAYS

The halls and passageways should be designed to become meeting points. They should be able
to be used as a place for the children to spend their breaks in cold weather climates, as a
multipurpose area during the school holidays or as an exhibition area.


THE CANTEEN

Where the school is operational all day, a kitchen with a larder and a dining room, which is
useable as a multipurpose hall should be planned. This is only, if there are not already adequate
facilities for eating either on site or very close by (refer to canteen in the chapter SOS Social
Centres).



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THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

The design and structure of the secondary school should basically follow the same standards as
the primary school. Only the size of the classrooms for 35 students can be 60 m.
2-3 laboratories for physics, chemistry and biology should be added and perhaps a workshop
and a classroom for home economics.


LABORATORY BLOCK

The laboratories should measure about 70 m and should each have sufficient storage room for
teaching equipment. The furniture should be suitable in style and quality.

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1.5 SOS SOCIAL CENTRES

GENERAL

SOS Social Centres are established to the requirements and the existing social infrastructure of
the specific environment. They differ widely in their set up. Their aim is to lift families in the
neighborhood of SOS Childrens Village facilities above the poverty line for the long term and
deliver skills and knowledge. Beyond that they help youths to take their future into their own
hands.

These Construction Guidelines relate to the general planning conditions of standard components
(modules) for mother and child care of SOS Social Centres.

In case other types of care (youth work, street kids programs, etc.) are proposed, the
construction design of these components of the SOS Social Centre must be planned individually.


TYPES OF MODULES

General conditions for the following modules were prepared:

Child Day Care Centre
Adult Education
Medical Outpatient Department
Administrative Infrastructure

The above mentioned modules can be set up in various arrangements and also in different sizes
according to the local requirements and the definition of target groups.


CHILD DAY CARE CENTRE

This module is the core of most SOS Social Centres. In the Day Care Centres educational
trained personnel cares for infants and children from 0 to 6 years most of the time for the whole
day. They receive nutritious food rich on vitamins and medical care.

The groups can be arranged according to the following age levels:

Infants 0 and 1 year (in corresponding group unit)
Children 2 and 3 years
Children 4 years and older


Due to the all day care the possibility exists for mothers (parents) to do their jobs and/or work
during the day or also to obtain job qualifications.

Room Programme

Classrooms
Canteen with kitchen
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CLASSROOM

The classroom for children of 2 years and older is equivalent to the one of the SOS Kindergarten
(refer to chapter SOS Kindergartens).

The classroom for babies is essentially made up of three areas:

The play area featuring an area of 1,2 m
2
per infant.
The bedroom, which ideally is located in a quiet area of the day care centre and easily darkened.
For this room an area of 1,50 m
2
per infant must be planned.
The kitchen, sanitary and baby changing area. This area is normally spread over two rooms. In
one of them it should be possible to comfortably wash the babies, change diapers and take them
to the toilet, the other serves for the preparation of baby food and for the storage of diapers, toys
and food. It proved to be practical to situate these two rooms between play area and bedroom.


CANTEEN

If the children and partly adults are provided with hot food in the SOS Social Centre or the Day
Care Centre, this will happen in the canteen. The canteen should be designed and equipped in a
way that it is easily kept hygienically clean and a smooth workflow for food delivery, storage,
preparation, service and dishwashing is provided.

Room programme

Dining room
Kitchen with store room


DINING ROOM

This room should be bright and have a size of at least 60 m
2
or 1m
2
per child (adult) to be
catered for. It will also serve as a multipurpose and/or meeting room of the SOS Social Centre.
It is positioned besides the kitchen, so that the food service (with service counter) and the table
service and clearing is made easier. Of course the food counter and the kitchen should be
lockable so the dining room can be used for activities where the kitchen is not used and also
should not be entered.
In warm regions the dining room can be designed in the form of a simple covered outdoor area
confined by a wall of medium height.




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KITCHEN AND FOOD STORE ROOM

The size of the kitchen depends on the average number of children (adults) to be catered for and
should be between 15 m
2
and 30 m
2
. It should be planned and built in a manner that supports the
workflow of food preparation, makes it easy to clean, that it is also accessible from outside and
well ventilated. Wherever useful a kitchen porch with a water tap can be planned (for washing
and cleaning of food, dishes etc.). The food storeroom also needs ventilation but does not
necessarily have to have windows. It is beside the kitchen and also well protected (closeable)
against pests.
In case the distance to the general sanitary facilities and/or the staff rooms is too far, a staff toilet
must be planned in the canteen area as well and if required a changing room for the kitchen
staff.


ADULT EDUCATION AREA

Mostly in two classrooms SOS Mothers and parents from poor social classes are offered a
variety of courses such as sewing, cooking, tailoring, type writing, etc. which complement and
enhance their already acquired job qualifications and activities to earn their living. The size and
equipment of these classrooms is equivalent to those of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools
(refer to corresponding chapter).

The necessary sanitary facilities for adults are accommodated in the general sanitary area of the
SOS Social Centre in the same number as they are recommended in the chapter SOS Hermann
Gmeiner Schools for students.


MEDICAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT

An essential component of the service of most SOS Social Centres is the basic medical care for
the SOS Mothers and children in need of the community. Priorities are maternity and infant
care, vaccinations, dental care, distribution of drugs and the possibility to consult a medical
practitioner.

The medical outpatient department consists of 3 rooms at the size between 8 m
2
and 14 m
2
and
the waiting area.

The doctors room and the dentists room should be bright rooms with a wash basin installed in
each of them.

In the nurses room also the safely lockable drug store is situated. Here the necessary routine
checks of infants are made, the patients files are kept and drugs are distributed.







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ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

These are the areas serving the general needs of the SOS Social Centre. They are:

Administration and staff rooms
Caretaker accommodation (if essential)
Laundry and general store
General sanitary area


ADMINISTARTION AND STAFF ROOMS

As a standard this area consists of:

Two to three offices. One for the director, one for social workers (if provided) and one for the
secretariat and the finance department, with a possible archive attached.
One meeting room
One staff room, with a possible kitchenette attached.


CARETAKER ACCOMMODATION

One person should reside permanently in the SOS Social Centre to provide a certain protection
against burglaries. Ideally this is the caretaker who looks after the maintenance of the facilities.
This accommodation is accessible from outside and should not exceed a size of 65 m
2
. It
consists of the following rooms:

Living/dining room with kitchenette
Two bedrooms
Sanitary area
Small storeroom (possible)


LAUNDRY AND GENERAL STORE

The laundry of the entire SOS Social Centre is washed dried and ironed there. Further all the
things, which are not used all the time, are stored there. The following rooms are planned:

The laundry, to be designed as a wet room and equipped with all connections for washing
machine and possible dryer.
The drying court, which is situated in the outside area of the laundry and which can be covered.
The ironing room, where besides doing the ironing also clean laundry can be stored.
The general store, which must be furnished with wide enough doors.






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GENERAL SANITARY AREA

As the children in the day care centre have their own sanitary areas, the general sanitary area is
provided exclusively for the personnel and those adults who attend courses and use the medical
care facility or other services of the SOS Service Centre respectively.

The sanitary areas are situated as central as possible within the facility and are in principle
located on outside walls so they can be naturally ventilated by windows. At least one wash basin
and two toilets should be planned for ladies and gents separately. In case also adult education is
offered in the SOS Social Centre the number of required wash basins and toilets is determined
according to the guidelines for sanitary installations in SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools (refer to
the corresponding chapter).




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1.6 STRUCTURAL RULES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOS CHILDREN'S
VILLAGE FACILITIES


ZONING
When planning the positioning of the various SOS Children's Village facilities, the difference
between public, semi-public and private areas must be taken into consideration.
The public (kindergarten, school, playing fields, etc.) and the semi-public areas (offices,
staff accommodation, guesthouse, etc.) should have a road going through them and have the
necessary parking spaces.
The private area (centre of the village) should have a sealed road leading to it. It is also
necessary that fire engines and ambulances can reach this area in an emergency.
A straight road is preferable to a ring road, which is more conducive to accidents.
The centre of the village should be defined by a village square which represent a focus point
where people like to meet and to stay.
The local situation has to be taken into consideration when deciding whether the SOS
Children's Village should have a wall around it, a fence or just bushes and trees.


HORIZONTAL DAMP PROOF COURSE
The horizontal damp proof course is a fundamental part of all solid walls. In its simplest form
it consists of two layers of building paper and prevents dampness rising through the walls.
The damp proof course should be situated just above the floor slab. This simple and cheap
measure prevents irreparable damage to the walls.
Exception: Not necessary in desert areas where it never rains.


THE SURFACE OF THE FLOOR
Basically the entire ground floor should be at least 30 cm above the ground. It is vital that
coarse gravel (D = at least 15 cm) is placed under the floor so that no dampness can rise from
the ground underneath. Together with the damp course, this guarantees dry rooms.
Exception: Desert areas where it never rains.


RING BEAM
If the ground is not stable (bad ground condition) then it is imperative to put up a reinforced
concrete ring beam. This must be included in the upper and lower parts of the outside wall
and must enclose the whole building, acting like a belt. This will prevent cracks in the outside
walls. Another measure, which can be taken if uneven settling is to be expected, would be to
plan generally smaller buildings or to use cold joints.


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OUTSIDE WALLS
Climate and regional construction conditions permitting, the outside walls should be plain
masonry. If this is not possible, for any reason, it should be considered whether it is possible
to plaster the walls without having to paint them as well. This minimizes maintenance and
servicing costs.


ROOFS
One of the main construction problems, we have had in our projects in the past, has been
caused by the shape of the roofs. It is therefore imperative that the simplest form of roof,
which requires the least amount of maintenance, is used. This should prevent the problem of
water leaking through the roofs.

These three basic rules should be followed!

Simple types of roofs:
Flat roofs should only be used in desert areas where it never rains. Otherwise a lean-to roof, a
ridged roof or a hip roof should be used.

Avoid complicated roof joints and combinations of roof types.

Ensure that the overhang is adequate and that the simplest drainage method is fitted.
Rainwater should be able to flow freely and directly over the roof. The ideal situation would
be to avoid having to fit gutters at all. Then the water could run straight into the ground. In
such instances it must be ensured that the roof hangs over far enough that the water does not
run down the outside walls, thus causing dampness and lasting damage.
A further solution would be to use the simplest metal guttering. The water should be able to
overflow from the guttering without damaging the roof or causing dampness.