Library Project
Introduction
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) was established in 1997 as a central institution to lead the development of Business and Management education in the country.
It has developed since then from an institution with two undergraduate and one Master’s programme to one with Twenty undergraduate, Nine Masters and two Doctoral programmes. It has grown from four departments to six faculties, one Graduate Research Centre and fourteen departments. The student numbers have grown from three thousand (3,000) to now over twelve thousand (12,000).
The proposal for the construction of a library facility was made against the background that MUBS was upgraded without corresponding facilities. After the merger the population of students increased from 3000 to over 12000 and the calibre of students also changed drastically from Diploma, Degree and Postgraduates up to PhDs. Thus the drastic change in the number and calibre of students call for upgrading of teaching and learning facilities. This is supported by the mission of the school, which states that, “To enable the future of our students, clients and staff and make them world class competitors through the provision of ideas knowledge and skills at the different levels in business and non business”. Therefore the provision of a library is not only a necessity but also a necessary requirement to achieve the above objective.
Project Objective
The overall project is to improve the teaching and learning environment through the provision of a well equipped and furnished library facility and construct a modern and spacious library structure equipped with new information technologies which will offer the users more flexibility in accessing the expanding universe of information.
Project Area
Construction
The project coverage includes construction of one library complex with two wings. The Library will have a seating capacity of 2000 students. The planned works include basement area to house the archives, binding and storage. Ground floor area to house Postgraduate research, Newspapers and Periodicals, Audio/Visual, Catalogues, Textbook racks, reading area. First Floor for research carrels and offices Reading area while Second floor, Third Floor, Fourth Floor will all be reading areas
Project Scope
The design of the library comprises two cylindrical towers in the form of the traditional African hut linked by free flowing central circulation spaces. The bigger tower is a 5 level structure for undergraduate students and the smaller 4 level tower is for postgraduate students, Each tower has a central atrium around which the circulation has been planned. The reading and bookshelves areas occupy the outer sections of the outer space. Entry into the library complex is through a spacious entrance foyer. A separate entrance for members of staff has been provided leading to the offices planned on ground and first floor levels.
Architectural Design Concept:
The design brief for the new MUBS library called for a very unique building that would be the landmark of the School identifiable from far and wide. The site for the building is located near the topmost part of Nakawa hill and commands a 180o panoramic view of Kampala City.
Natural lighting and ventilation in the building is maximized by use of the central atriums. The circular shapes also minimize the view of Kampala City from the hill top site. The two separate towers have enabled the phasing of the construction such that the additional 3 levels of the post graduate tower will be constructed later.
Vertical circulation within the building is by way of 3 staircases positioned to allow adequate means of escape in case of fire. A lift has also been provided to enable accessibility for people with disabilities. The total built area is about 6,700 square meters.
Description of work
The includes foundation works, column bases, tanking, excavations, lift shaft bases, ground beams, plinth walls steel mesh fabric in 150mm thick floor slab. Reinforcement includes, columns, horizontal beams, staircase, suspended slabs, external block walls and reinforcements. The walling is made of partition walls, timber partitions, scaffoldings, and ramps while roofing works include elements like pressure impregnated sawn timber trusses, harvey acrylic coated tiles and ridges. The doors are in form metallic, flush and hardwood doors, frames and furnishings, ironmongery, burglar proofing, glazing and first coat painting to doors. Mean while windows are dominated by steel casement, burglar-proof, and bronze tinted glass
Finishing includes floor finishing in cement, terrazzo and tiles, balustrades to staircases, internal and external wall finishes, ceiling work, painting and decorations. The fittings includes pantry, kitchen, tea rooms and reception counters
Plumbing installations includes sanitary fittings, water tanks, raising main, cold water distribution, wastes and overflows, soil and vent pipes and air conditioning while electrical installations includes power supply controls lighting installations, accessories lightening protection system, telephone system computer network cabling, water pump supply control, lift and power tapping connection, testing and commissioning.
Library equipment includes library management information systems such as servers and work stations, printers, computers, application software, and audio visuals. And library furniture includes among others public access work stations, display furniture, wall literature displays, suggestion boxes, exhibition panels, hanging bag displays, magazine, newspapers and
floor literature displays. Audio- visual furniture, media storage cabinets, computer furniture, book video towers, book returns and book carts (trolleys). Card catalogue filing cabinets and drawers, circulation and information desk, ladders, stools and traffic control system, shelves, reading tables, chairs, card boxes, rotation, checkpoints, and research carrels.
External works
This includes site clearance and earthworks, foul drainage, car parking paved areas, walkways and splash aprons, bridge/ramp for the disabled, landscaping, fencing and security lighting.
Materials used:
The structure is in reinforced concrete with concrete block infill. The external finishes comprise fair faced brickwork and textured/ painted plaster. The windows/doors are in powder coated aluminium framing with solar reflective glass. The roof comprises preformed, pre-painted roofing sheets on steel trusses with polycarbonate roofing over the atrium.
Internally the floors are generally finished in terrazzo with ceramic tiles in the wet areas. The ceilings are a combination of acoustic tiles in suspended aluminium grid, gypsum plasterboard and paster/paint on slab soffits.
Funding:
The project was funded by the government of Uganda under the Ministry of Education and sports and Internally generated funds from MUBS
Benefits of the Project
Social Benefit
The project will provide an improved learning and teaching environment for a total of over 12,000 students who access MUBS. Other social benefits will be the improvement of the quality of graduates and the image of the school. Income Distribution, the project has the potential for alleviating poverty in Uganda first by helping to improve the research ability of the graduates thus increasing their productivity. This will make education more relevant to the global
need thus access of literature.
Sustainability of the project
The project is part of on-going process of the ESIP and the Strategic Plan for Higher Education. MUBS from its Aid in appropriation fund will foot all the recurrent costs related to the project. There is overwhelming evidence that the demand for higher education in Uganda will increase over time. This is exemplified by the increasing transition rate at secondary level and the corresponding level of development of the country.
The Project Team:
The project team was led by KK Partnership Architects working in association with Dimensions Architects and Interior Designers. The Civil/Structural Engineers were Newplan Ltd., the Quantity Surveyors, Survecon Associates; Electrical/Mechanical Engineers, Multi-Konsults Ltd.
The Project Team:
Client: Makerere University Business School
Main Contractor: Seyani Brothers & Co. (U) Ltd.
Sub-Contractors:
– Electrical Installation: Stema Associates Ltd.
– Voice & Data Installation: Infosys Uganda Ltd.
– Air-conditioning & Ventilation Installation: Appliance World Ltd.
– Plumbing & Drainage Installation: Central Plumbing Works (U) Ltd.
– Lift Installation: Uganda Elevators Ltd
– Ceiling and Aluminum Doors &
Windows Installation: Interior Technologies Ltd
– Sky Light Installation: Build Matt Ltd
– Roof Work: Fabrication System Ltd
