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Alison & Co build in Fiji!

  • Public Presentation

      20 May 2018
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    NAWIC, in association with T&R Interior Systems have invited us to speak about our Habitat for Humanity trip to Fiji earlier in March this year.

    Many of you have been asking to hear more about it, so this your chance to get up close and personal with us and our stories, and we promise to stay till all burning questions are answered. This is also a chance for us to get to know a bit more about each of you, so if you happen to be in the area, please do join us for this free event! We'll also be sharing how much we've managed to raise for the project :)

    Drinks and nibbles are provided, all you have to do is RSVP as quick as you can to 'rsvpakl@nawic.org.nz'. More details below:

    When: Thurs 31st May from 5:30pm - 7:30pm

    Where: T&R Interior Systems, 19 Fairfax Ave Penrose

    Cost: Free members and non-members (donations for Habitat for Humanity's cyclone relief efforts in Fiji are welcome). Drinks and nibbles provided

    RSVP: rsvpakl@nawic.org.nz

    SEE YOU THERE!

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  • ‘Rainbow Halo’

      19 March 2018
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    We can’t believe how time has passed! On Friday, after 4 days of immense effort on the build, we dedicated our much loved home to Elesi and her family. While putting down the finishing touches, we looked up and saw a rainbow ring round the sun above us so we decided to name the home ‘Rainbow Halo’; it also means ‘God keeps his promises’.

    It was such an honour getting to celebrate with the rest of the village with some (more) kava and a beautiful lovo feast. Elesi the new homeowner (and now friend!) also blessed us with a beautiful speech, leaving not a single dry eye in the room.

    The past few days have been an amazing journey for us, with teams from all across the world gathered together to learn, work and share in this experience of building and engaging with the issues social responsibility together.

    We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have supported us from back home wherever home is for you (global village or what?) - we would not have made it without you! Thank you especially to those who have sponsored us financially, especially our corporate partners - Rachel and her team from T&R Interior Systems, Jenny and hers from NAWIC, Lynda and Elisapeta at Architecture + Women, and last but not least our work family from Chow:Hill Architects.

    We’re all a little sad to see the team slowly disbanding as we head home, but we stay on for a little longer to catch our breath, then we see ya’ll next week with stories to share :) See you soon! @ Nadi Fiji Island

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  • Day 4!

      16 March 2018
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    And we’re done!!!!! A whole day ahead of schedule and even time to get a news article and a tv interview in - what a team! Tomorrow we decorate and dedicate the house and then a big party with a Lovo (Fijian Hangi) to celebrate :)

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  • Day 2-3

      14 March 2018
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    Day 2-3, an incredible past few days witnessing collaboration across 4 different cultures! We framed walls, tilted them up on a very muddy/slippery inclined site, roofed steel sheets, hand transported raw materials through slippery pig pens, installed plywood floors, and painted the interior walls a beautiful light blue. There was difficulty with heatstroke claiming a few of us, but we came round after rehydration and rest :) All HFH shelters in Fiji are designed to withstand tropical cyclones. Post cyclone Winston, all shelters remained intact except for one which unfortunately had been moved and not reassembled correctly. Village educational class are held to teach home owners how to disassemble and reassemble transitional shelters safely; we look forward to being part of this tomorrow. Not long to go now! - Alison & Co

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  • Day 1

      12 March 2018
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    A repost from FB cos one of us is already asleep, and the other is right about to :p

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  • Lost in translation

      12 March 2018
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    Our team of 15 from across the globe have finally arrived. We all speak English, but also very different versions and twangs of it! The jokes about passing the pen/pin/pants are never ending, but we’ll figure each other out soon enough :p Stinky sweaty smelly us also get to ride this pimped out van that takes us to and from the village for the next 5 days.

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  • Off we go!

      11 March 2018
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    Reposting our insta update :)

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  • Happy International Women's Day!

      8 March 2018
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    We celebrated with cupcakes topped with Pantone's colour of the year - ultra-violet.

    Our bid in action to show that everyone, regardless of gender, can serve their community and bring value to those who might not otherwise have the same opportunities in life. Whether as a female architect on site, a male nurse in the maternity department, or anywhere in between. Whatever your calling in life, your gender shouldn't stop you from changing the lives of those around you.

    #pressforprogress

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  • Thank you NAWIC!

      8 March 2018
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    Another amazing bunch of ladies who have gone above and beyond what we even imagined. Rachel and Jenny from NAWIC were very quick to support our cause - spreading the word, donating money and dropping by to personally visit and hear our story. We've been so floored by your enthusiasm and how genuine you've been in your support for us. Thank you ladies!

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  • Thank you A+W!

      8 March 2018
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    Amazing being recognised by one of the industry's most influential partners supporting women in architecture. Lynda, Elisapeta and their team were so excited to hear from us and were so good in jumping on board with helping raise awareness for us. We look forward to being roaming reporters while we're over there!

    A little bit of what they said:

    "We are at A+W•NZ are really happy to introduce and support Corrine and Alison both Architectural Graduates at Chow:Hill Architects who are going to Fiji in ‘3 more sleeps’ (technically 2 now!) to build a home for a Fijian woman and her family.

    We think you should support these wonderful young women on their journey!

    Also, watch out for their live updates on the A+W•NZ instagram @architecturewomen"

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  • More Aroha

      7 March 2018
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    Amazing to have hung out with Jenny Parker, president of NAWIC, yesterday who had some wise words on how to use a builder's pencil on site next week ;) #norollingoffroofs #nopencilsharpener

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  • Corinne

      6 March 2018
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    Kiaora whanau! My name is Corinne – many of you may know me as Co – and I’m the other half of this exciting duo. Thank you all for the Likes, donations, amazing messages and words of support – I would never have expected such an overwhelming response; I’m so moved and consider it an absolute privilege to be able to take a bit of each of you with us to Fiji.

    A little bit about me, I come from a long line of doctors and with the fortune of being the rebellious youngest daughter, I’d made the unprecedented move to becoming the first architect in our family. My love for people nurtured in me since young has never left, and in the same way that most of my family heal, I hope to be able to do the same with my Architecture. I’m so blessed to literally be doing just that, designing hospitals – or spaces of healing as I like to call them – all around New Zealand.

    This trip first started out from an ad click on Facebook, with the simplest of intentions to gain more construction knowledge. This has since evolved into something much bigger and farther reaching than myself. By the end of the trip, not only will we have come away with providing a new home for a Fijian family in need, but we’ll also have had campaigned in action how small steps can fulfill our generation’s heart for social responsibility!

    This has blown up beyond what I had ever thought for this trip, and I’m so stoked it has. 4 more sleeps guys! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we’ll be healthy, and come away with hearts and minds fuller than when we first started.

    Aroha Nui, Co.

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  • Thank you T&R Interior Systems!

      6 March 2018
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    We would also like to express our appreciation towards T&R Interior Systems for their contribution to our cause – we are absolutely blown away by your donations and support! A special Thank You too to Rachel Buer who has gone out of her way to help spread the word to the wider industry and also been a constant source of encouragement since she first found out of our little cause. You have inspired us much and we feel privileged to have T&R behind us in our project for the Fijian community.

    Find out more about T&R Interior Systems at: http://www.tris.co.nz/index/home

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  • Thank you Chow:Hill!

      5 March 2018
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    It's been our absolute privilege to have had the support from our work family, Chow:Hill Architects. Thank you for believing in our little cause which we know with your donations will impact many lives. We're blessed to be a part of such a compassionate workplace that has always found ways and means to give back to the community. We look forward to bringing back the stories at our next office forum :)

    Other Chow:Hill community projects - http://www.chowhill.co.nz/chowhill-blog

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  • Alison

      3 March 2018
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    Hi, it’s Alison here! I am a Hong Kong girl who moved to New Zealand 17 years ago and have since considered myself a Kiwi. After studying at University of Auckland, I initially started out doing residential architecture but soon found myself specialising in health planning and care facilities design.

    Working as architects, one of the highlights of our work is making buildings come to life. When Co first approached me to ask if I was interested in this project, I immediately stepped up to the opportunity. The timing of it all seems to be perfect in contributing to my years of learning, helping out the community, as well as expanding my vision on complex housing issues facing communities today.

    Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, I am encouraged to step away from the computer and construct a home with my own hands. It can’t get better than being in a team alongside my fellow colleague and good friend Co, as well as others from around the globe. To be able to work together for communities in need is such a meaningful cause and I believe this will certainly add to my journey in pursuing my path as an architect.

    A big Thank You again for all the heart-warming support and donations, it really means a great deal to us:) We can’t wait for our project with HFH to kick start (1 week to go!) and look forward to sharing our exciting stories with you all.

    Alison.

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  • Pre-trip cultural immersion

      3 March 2018
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    Had the BEST time learning and performing a traditional Fijian dance with some of the funnest people I know. I know in my mind how awkward my stiff shoulders looked next to actual islanders last night, but I reckon I’m ready to wow my local hosts next Saturday 🤗😅 Cultural immersion for the win! If you didn't get a chance to giggle with everyone else, I do it again tomorrow morning 10am @ 74 Cook Street. See you there!

    📸 By the amazing Gerard Carlo and David Toh.

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  • FIJI101

      2 March 2018
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    Getting the low-down on ma conversational Fijian with Master Saula. He put on his sunnies for this shot. Bula Vinaka team for the love!

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  • Main Updates on FB

      24 February 2018
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    We've set up our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/alisonandcobuildinfiji) where we'll be post regular updates (wifi-willing) leading up to trip and the actual trip itself.

    Thanks for all your support so far! The response in likes, donations and kind words have been tremendous and we've been so humbled by this fundraising/awareness period thus far.

    I (Corinne) will also be performing a Fijian cultural dance tomorrow evening Sunday, 25 Feb @6pm (74 Cook Street, Auckland, NZ) should you wish to have a bit of a giggle! Bring a plate / free kai (food) and other performances for a late Chinese New Year celebration. See you there!

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