Projects

Please send donations via:

Recipient: Mirador e.V.

IBAN: DE06 5206 0410 0008 0090 90

BIC: GENODEF1EK1

Purpose: Donation Sao Tome + address if a donation receipt is desired!

Please contact us:

Phone: +49 (0) 178 5202752

E-mail: michael.bieler@hs-anhalt.de

More project life on Instagram at: Design Build - Unity (@designbuild_unity) • Instagram-Fotos und -Videos

13.09.2026: This week, several important phases of construction were successfully completed at the construction site in Agua Izé. After the load-bearing wooden structure had been gradually taking shape over the past few weeks, another significant milestone has now been reached: The roof truss of the future kindergarten has been fully completed. As a result, the building’s basic structure is now clearly visible, and the project is increasingly taking on its final form.

At the same time, work on the windows continued at a brisk pace. The first window units were prepared and installed, giving a glimpse of the future interior design. Work on the doors also continued, with the components carefully coordinated with the existing structural elements so that the next phases of construction could be prepared according to schedule.

Another focus this week was on the facade. Work began here on fabricating the necessary wooden components, which will be installed in stages over the coming weeks. Thanks to this work, the building is increasingly taking on its distinctive appearance and approaching its final architectural character.

The visit by Mr. Cassandra, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe in Brussels, was also a source of great joy. During his tour of the construction site, he was very impressed by the progress made so far and particularly praised the strong commitment of the young people involved in the project. The visible results of their work, as well as the high level of motivation among the entire team, left him with an extremely positive impression and underscored the importance of this joint project for the region.

06.09.2026: After intensive preparatory work, another important milestone has been reached on the construction site in Agua Izé. In the past few days, the load-bearing wooden structure of the future kindergarten has been gradually erected on the foundations. The first wooden supports were installed, beams put in place, and numerous braces added to give the building its stability.  

With each new component, the eventual room layout becomes more visible. The full-height wooden ties connect the individual construction elements into a stable overall system and, together with the top and bottom chords, form the basis for the future roof structure. It's especially impressive to see how a complete framework emerges from the previously prepared individual parts in such a short time.  

Alongside the main construction work, work on the exterior walls is already underway. Window openings have been marked out, studs and beams installed, and the first facade elements prepared. This means the building is now not only growing upwards but is also starting to take on its external shape. For the whole project team, this phase of construction is a real highlight, because after months of planning, organizing, sourcing materials, and handling logistics, the results of the project are finally becoming visible. With each working day, the shared goal comes closer: a sustainable and inspiring learning place for the children of Agua Izé.

21.08.2026: On August 18, the long-awaited day finally arrived: after a lengthy wait, our sea containers were cleared by customs. Once the final formalities were completed, they were loaded onto trucks and transported to the construction site in Agua Izé.

The arrival of the materials was eagerly anticipated on-site. Together with numerous volunteers from the surrounding communities, the containers were unloaded and positioned at their designated locations. This means that all building materials for the next construction phases are now available.

Immediately after delivery, work began to prepare the wooden structure. The threaded rods connecting the supporting structure to the foundations were installed, while at the same time, the installation of the water pipes in the sanitation areas progressed. At the same time, the prefabricated wooden components can now be worked on much more efficiently and prepared for assembly.

With these important milestones, the conditions are set to start building the wooden structure as planned on August 24, 2026. The whole team is really looking forward to this next phase of construction.

August 9, 2026: Our shipping containers, along with our building materials, are still stuck in customs. Due to the large number of different line items, we need the port staff’s cooperation. After several postponements, we now expect clearance on August 12, 2026. This means the project team must focus on further preparatory work, as the main construction cannot begin due to a shortage of threaded rods (which are in the container). Consequently, during the first week of August, all sleepers, supports, and clamps were cut to length, sanded, and treated with wood preservative. For the two shipping containers themselves, individual foundations were erected on an adjacent property. They are intended to serve as a materials storage facility for the community in the future.

^{Filmed and edited by Sophie Greilach & Nadja Rehm}

Masonry, concrete, and wood construction work. July 2026 // The utility building is being constructed.
August 1, 2026: The bricks were delivered on time, the mortar mixer is running, and the tools have been organized. Finally, the first bricks can be laid on the foundation. Drill holes were made beforehand for the threaded rods that will be installed later. These are needed to secure the building’s wooden structure to the foundation. We were also able to complete the masonry work on the utility building. To ensure sufficient light enters the building, glass blocks were integrated into a modern design. The masonry and concrete work is now complete, which means we can focus on preparing the wooden components for the future main building. Wooden beams are being sanded and sealed to protect them from the elements and pests. As soon as our construction containers arrive, we’ll have all the materials needed to erect the first sections of the building. We hope these can be picked up at the port of São Tomé on August 5, 2026.

^{Filmed and edited by Sophie Greilach & Nadja Rehm}

July 1, 2026: One by one, the students arrive at the construction site in Agua Ize´. They need to organize supplies for their shared housing and discuss construction plans with the project partners and local supporters. Work on the construction site itself begins with measuring for the wooden structure of the future building, followed by the installation of water and sewage lines for the kitchen and bathroom, and subsequent concrete work. The next step involves preparing the masonry work for the walls of the sanitation building and the concrete work for the building’s entrance stairs.

^{Filmed and edited by Sophie Greilach & Nadja Rehm}

On 18 April 2026, our project team gathered in Reckahn to load all donated materials for the new kindergarten in Água Izé, São Tomé, into the shipping containers. By early May, the containers will be sealed and start their journey from Hamburg via Portugal to West Africa. In early July, they are expected to reach Água Izé – just in time for our joint project of Missão AMEM, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, and Mirador e.V. to move into the construction phase on site, so that the children can soon watch their new kindergarten grow.

Between 10 and 18 January 2026, the first preparations for the future construction site were carried out. The former kindergarten building was demolished, the footprint of the new building was marked out, and local craftsmen were involved in the construction planning. With the breaking of ground, the old foundation slab gives way to a fresh new base — the starting point for everything that follows. When the students arrive from 1 July 2026 onwards, the new kindergarten will be built using an innovative timber construction method, fully adapted to the local climate and cultural context.

Following the presentation event at the Federal Environment Agency in Dessau, three final designs have emerged as strong candidates for further planning and implementation. Central to the selection were a user-centred approach to spatial layout and movement areas, natural lighting and ventilation, as well as structural and construction requirements.

On 9 July 2025, students from the Departments of Architecture and Real Estate Management presented their designs for the planned new kindergarten building on São Tomé. At the premises of the Federal Environment Agency, approximately 30 design schemes — including architectural models showcasing a wide variety of creative approaches — were presented by students from the 2nd, 4th, and 6th semesters to staff, lecturers, professors, and project stakeholders. Among the presentations were also four Bachelor's theses.

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