Alexander & Lloyd Group

Architects and Project Managers for the Aid and Development Assistance Sector

Kiribati School of Nursing Refurbishment

Nawerewere Hospital, South Tarawa
Australian AID - Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)

In 2010, Australia announced their support for the redevelopment of Kiribati School of Nursing (KSON) with view to increase the number of midwives trained. KSON currently offers a 3-year diploma program for Kiribati nurses, but is only able, at any one time, to cater for two intakes of up to 20 students each.

In November 2011, A&L was commissioned by DFAT to provide an external design review of the KSON refurbishment design proposal by the MPWU. The outcome of the design review and recommendations led to an expanded engagement by DFAT in May 2012 to further develop the KSON functional brief and prepare concept designs for MHMS and KSON approval and to prepare tender and construction documentation.

During A&L’s initial appointment, A&L prepared an external design review of the KSON refurbishment design proposal by the MPWU. The design review identified shortcomings in both the design procurement process and the design resolution and recommended that a more consultative process be carried out among the stakeholders (staff and users).

In May 2012, A&L led an in-country design mission to further develop the KSON functional brief and prepare concept designs. The team consisted of the A&L Project Architect and a Consultant Structural Engineer. The team reviewed existing technical data, carried out a site investigation and provided a thorough technical analysis of the KSON buildings and the hospital site to determine guidelines for the reuse of existing KSON facilities and their capacity for additional storeys. A&L also commenced a series of stakeholder and user group consultations. The Project Architect conducted a Value Added Workshop where he discussed his findings and presented the design options. A second Value Added Workshop was conducted in a second in-country design mission that took place in July 2012. The two design options and the resolution of design issues outlined in the Concept Design Report were presented and the decision to go ahead with one proposal. A Concept Design Report which included the detailed Project Brief and infrastructure recommendations was submitted in October 2012.