Read the original blog by Camps International Project Diary here For quite a while now our kindergarten (Tadika, in Malay) at Camp Tinangol has looked like some large posts stuck in the mud and essentially that's what it was as the foundations and unique design features were slowly put in place. But during a sudden burst of pre-summer activity something much more 'Kindy' shaped has started to appear. We're proud of our Tinangol Kindy as the design that our eco-architect partners at Arkitrek came up with in consultation...

Objectives and Origins of the Arkitrek Camps The Arkitrek Camps deliver innovative and inspirational design to social and environmental organisations free of charge. We can do this by running projects as an educational program. Here's how the Camps program evolved. The objective of Arkitrek is to conserve natural resources through design and education. This is our social objective, it pervades our entire business. We don’t have a CSR department because to do so would imply that we have departments which are not socially...

Based on an original blog by Tan Zhen Ron here All photos by Tan Zhen Ron Arkitrekkers, Nick Nearchou and Zhen Ron with two other volunteers from the United Kingdom, Holly and Annabel spent a lovely time contributing to the Community of Kampung Bongkud (Village Bongkud). It is considered exciting for me, Zhen Ron as this is my very first trip working (and of course enjoying) with Arkitrek outside the office. Photograph above shows the main common area at Camp Bongkud where meals are served and most activities being held. Being...

This post has been updated. The original ‘in the shit, a septic tank guide’ has been archived . Two common misconceptions about septic tanks. 1. Septic tanks are an acceptable sewage treatment solution 2. Septic tanks are not supposed to overflow The first misconception is the biggy; A septic tank on its own is not good enough to treat sewage waste to an acceptable standard. Further treatment is required. The second misconception shows a basic misunderstanding of the processes at work in a septic tank. This article...

Text and photos by Nick Nearchou Arriving into the Arkitrek office on my first day I really had no idea of the technical challenges confronting me during my internship in Sabah. After the initial briefing I was presented with the impossible Mantanani Kindergarten construction task. “We need you to somehow lift six enormous roof rafters (large 2’’ x 8’’ timber sections and around 15’’ long) over 16ft into the air and connect them to the top of present Kindergarten structure. You will have a very limited work...