HMI partnered with MSAADA, an architectural firm with much experience with construction projects like the Blue House. HMI needed to be sure that the work on the other side of the world was of good quality and that our donors' money was being well spent.
Poul Bertelsen, a native of Denmark, founded MSAADA Architects in Minneapolis in 1980, taking its name from the Swahili word for “assistance”. The firm also has offices in Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya and India.
MSAADA has planned, designed, engineered and supervised the construction of churches, schools, hospitals and housing in many developing countries, using the resources and methods of each area. One of the firm’s guiding principles is to design and build attractive, functional buildings economically.
To learn more about Poul’s firm and its projects, visit their website at www.msaada.com. HMI asked Poul to create a dimensional overview of the site (including future phases of development) and a dimensional view of the new dormitory. Poul and his associate, Jason Krumm, made practical improvements to the plans. MSAADA also helped hire a trustworthy builder in Uganda with the skills we needed.
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Jeffrey Potts, onsight clerk of works from MSAADA, oversaw construction and reported on progress. They used local materials, labor, and building processes.
See the MSAADA's Blue House page on their website.
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| Jeff Potts, with some of the construction workers |
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