Wednesday 11 October 2017

Day 3 Progress

Just when we thought the weather would get better it didn't! Today would have been a typical Auckland day, with 4 seasons in the few hours we were building today. The rain and wind didn't make things easy but at least it helped us test the green house against the ever changing Auckland weather and it seems like it did well. Sadly, we did not finish the green house today. With all 4 walls put up and everything else done, all there is left to do is put the roof up. Another slight change in the plan today. We decided to change the design of the roof as we did not have enough stilts to cover the whole roof. Initially, we decided to put plastic bottle stilts (just like the walls) on the roof but we realized there was not enough stilts for us to do that, so we changed our plan and decided to use milk bottles. We would cut the milk bottles in half and attach them together to create tiles that would cover the roof without using as many stilts as the original plan. The roof is all there is left to do for the main green house. Other things such as signboards and planters etc will be sorted out later on in the term.

Behind the scenes where the tedious work gets done. The team cutting bottles and putting them onto stilts. 
Half the roof done with the chicken wire.
Skies were blue and the sun was shining but it started pouring moments after the photo was taken.

Didar finishing off the last wall.
Brian nailing the very last stilt onto the wall.

Last nail of the wall, moments before the hammer missed the nail and got Brian's finger.

Mathew, Sabeeha and Didar trying to form the milk bottle tiles.
At this stage, we still haven't decided which day we will meet up and complete the building as the team has already been working on this project for 3 days in a row. As you may know, the students are in their senior year and have other commitments to attend to. Despite this, we will definitely finish this in the near future. We are sure that the team is as excited for the completion as you are so stay tuned for updates! For inquiries, email forthefutureac@gmail.com

Yours sincerely,
For the Future.



Tuesday 10 October 2017

Day 2 Progress

Yesterday was another successful day of construction although we didn't not finish as we initially planned. After day 1's progress, all there was left to do was to attach the door, reinforce the structure with metal straps, put up the plastic bottle stilts and cover up the roof. Putting the door up was one of the hardest jobs yet as it required a lot of precision and accuracy for measuring, chiseling etc. The task of putting up the door would have been impossible without the guidance of Mr Pillay so a huge thank you to him for giving up his time once again yesterday. Majority of the work was done and all we have to do know is cover up half a wall with the plastic bottle stilts and attach plastic bottle stilts to the roof. A change of plan has caused slight delay in the construction. We decided to cover the roof up with chicken wire so that it would help reinforce the structure and reduce the pressure of the plastic bottle stilts on the roof as it would be sitting on the chicken wire. Something we thought was worth sharing is that we had a group of preschool children come by and visit us. As there is a preschool/daycare right next to our school, they decided to pay us a visit as they were also learning about different ways plastic could be used. It was such a privilege to involved the young community and teach them about the environment and great things that were happening.
Zaid showing us his tradie skills.
Mr Pillay getting back to work.
Team work makes the dream work! The boys nailing the plastic bottle stilts on to the main structure.

Didar starting on the chicken wire.

Putting up the chicken wire on the roof

Mr Pillay giving the boys advice on how to put the door on.
Brian proud of his efforts on the door.. although it was a collective effort from the team. Well done!

Day 2 Progress. Front View
Completed Door
Day 2 progress. Corner/ Back view
 The team is hoping to finish off everything today as there isn't much to do. The weather yesterday wasn't that great with small showers here and there so we're hoping for better weather today. Fingers crossed!! Thanks to everyone who showed up for day 2 of the construction and thank you for everyone's support. It would be greatly appreciated if you could share our progress with your friends and family so that word will spread about the great things happening in our community. Don't forget to use the hashtag #forthefuture. Email forthefutureac@gmail.com for any inquiries or additional information.

Yours sincerely,
For the Future.



Monday 9 October 2017

WE ARE BACK!!

As per usual, For the Future would like to apologize for not posting an update sooner. Everything this year has been very hectic as the students are now in year 12/13 and are very busy submitting internals and trying to prepare for externals. As of today (10/9/2017), we have officially began construction of the green house! It took very long to organize the materials needed for the construction as well as experienced people to help. A special thanks to Bunnings Warehouse NZ for providing us with a building plan as well as materials for this project. On behalf of For the Future, we would also like to thank Mr Pillay, Mr Pillay Senior and Darcy for their expertise and help today. The construction of this green house would not be possible without the help of these wonderful people. Final Dimensions of the greenhouse : 3m x 3m x 2m.

Brian nailing the very first nail of the construction

Matthew fixing up a mistake the boys made

The three on the right were the experts for the day. In black- Mr Pillay, in white - Darcy, in Grey - Mr Pillay Senior.

Smile for the camera Lisa!

Reinforcing the structure and roof with strapping over the top

All hands on deck to try and build the frame up

The plastic bottles will go through a stilt which will be nailed to the structure of the green house.


Leveling out the roof so that it turns out perfect

Day 1 done and dusted. Side view

Corner view
Day 1 was definitely a success. Thank you to the members who were involved in the construction today. The green house is 60% completed with the main structure up, all there is left to do is to attach the plastic bottle stilts, cover up the roof, attach the door and it will be good to go!! It has been a long and hard journey transforming our idea into an action, but no matter the effort it is all for a better and more environmentally friendly community! For those who were with us from the start, we want to say a huge thank you for supporting us.  Any thoughts, opinions and ideas please comment down below or email forthefutureac@gmail.com.

Project funded by : SouthSci - COMET Auckland

Yours sincerely,
For the Future.