Day Waterman College
A New Dawn in Learning
In his desire to give back to the society from his earnings and provide a legacy for the coming generation, a notable Nigeria banker has floated an international co-educational secondary school that has been described by many as fitting a university campus.
In the words of Mr. Tayo Aderinokun, Day Waterman College is an institution that is designed to herald a new chapter in the provision and delivery of high quality international standard secondary education in Nigeria.
The physical infrastructures in the school is a sheer beauty to behond attesting to the acclaim it has received. The development arguably equals, if not exceeds schools of its category anywhere in the world both in conception, design and construction. Sited on 35 hectares of carved tropical forest landscape in Asu Village near Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, at full capacity the school will accommodate about 720 boarding students.
Design Concept
The concept and design vivid illustration of the vision of the founder who wanted to provide a world class institution within a traditional Nigerian setting. Renowned architectural practice, Klif Consultants Lagos, brings to life the desire driving the founders of Day Waterman College “to provide the Nigerian child the benefit of a high quality education while remaining in the local environment that allows them to maintain their cultural values and family affiliations.
The school was designed to comprise of educational facilities in a homely and friendly environment so that the students would not loose touch with their individual traditional homes while in school. The design incorporates these facilities among others like swimming pool, staff quarters, sport facilities, multi purpose indoor sport hall, science building, arts & culture building, library, male and female hostels, dining hall and even a bell tower among others.
Construction Mode
The site is being developed in 3 phases. The first phase has been completed and commissioned with the school taking off with 80 pupils in September 2008 and an additional 80 joined in 2009. The second phase of the project has started while the third phase is scheduled to start in January 2011.
Scope of Work
Construction started in October 2006 with the fencing off of the entire site. One notable feature of this project is the engagement of four construction companies to fast track the development and ensure timely delivery of the project. This also applies to the mechanical, electrical and aluminum sub-contract aspects of the project. At least, two contractors handled each of these aspects as well. Again, it is also an attempt to checkmate problems associated with delay in the construction process which often leads to high construction cost relative to budgeted cost.
So far the admin building, science building, dining hall,learning resource centre(library), guest house, and swimming pool handled by Dori Construction Limited have been completed and handed over to the school. Other completed projects under the first phase include two male hostels, two female hostels, two blocks of six apartments with three bedrooms, the principal’s house and two vice principals residences.
All these were handled by United Integrated Construction Limited. Still under the first phase, NIDACO Limited handled the warehouse, water treatment house, powerhouse and the gate house. Borini Prono Ltd handled the infrastructural works such as roads and drainage construction, while the sports stadium was constructed by Aron Nigeria Limited.
The second phase involves the development of an Arts and Culture Centre, additional two female hostels and two blocks of six staff apartments with two bedrooms. These are being handled by United Integrated Construction Limited. Triarch Limited constructed one block of twelve one-bedroom staff apartments, kitchen staff dormitory and clinic. The multipurpose hall, grand stand and two male hostels are being constructed by Ponti ITALWARE and Co. while the staff boys` quarters is constructed by NIDACO Limited.
The shapes of the buildings are spectacular, take for instance the library dubbed Learning Resource Centre, its rotunda in shape and can conveniently accommodate a university library. It has a sitting capacity of 360 users at a time. The Science block also commands attention with its decorative external hanging depicting the science master Albert Einstein.
There is a well furnished guest house for parents that pay a visit to their wards and wish to spend a night. The dining hall can also accommodate 450 users. The indoor and outdoor sports facilities are of Olympic standard.
Finishing
There is creative use of space in the design and construction of Day Waterman College. The projects were delivered in cement sandcrete blocks rendered in cement sand mortar. Textured paints were used for the external walls while internally; high grade emulsion paints were applied. The roofs were shingled tiled with facial aluminum claddings applied as decorative features at some selected areas like science block while due attention was given to landscaping of the environment with plants, flowers and shrubs.
Roads leading to all these facilities were constructed with bitumen and provided with drainage as well as street lights for proper illumination. Essential user friendly conveniences and relaxation spots are incorporated. All facilities are provided for ease of use and low maintenance cost.
Future Developments:
Construction works on the third and final phase of Day Waterman College is expected to start in January 2011, with the following projects: Two male hostels,two female hostels, dining hall-phase 2, one senior male hostel, one senior female hostel, vocational centre, hockey pitch, soccer practice field, twelve block classrooms, bell tower, two blocks, six 2 bed apartments and the school farm.
Challenges of Construction:
The out of town location of the project is a major challenge as this affects the movement of the contractors equipments, personnel and mobilisation to site and also supervision by the project manager. Again, the deployment of several contractors to site at a time often presents its own peculiar managerial challenges. Nonetheless, these were not critical enough to destabilise the construction timetable, as the project manager stoutly rose to the occasion.
Project Team:
Architects and Project Manager: Klif Consultants Ltd.
Consultants:
Quantity Surveyors: Shelter Cost Associates
Structural Engineers: Structural Design Consultants Ltd
Services Engineers: Building Consultants Ltd
Main Contractors:
Dori Construction Ltd
United Integrated Construction Ltd.
Triarch Nigeria Limited
Ponti & Co. ITALWARE Ltd
Subcontractors: NIDACO Nigeria Ltd.
Electrical: Kenol Nigeria Limited
Kandlelite Engineering Company Ltd.
Mechanical: Mabbsa Nig Ltd
Bomis Nigeria Ltd
Internal Roads: Borini Prono Nigeria Ltd.
Drainage: Aron Nigeria Ltd
Aluminum Works: Metalum Ltd
EBM Systems Ltd.
