Mau Mau Memorial Design Competition Brief

Mau Mau Memorial: Design Competition Brief

Organized by: Mau Mau Memorial Steering Committee
 

Composed of the Mau Mau War Veterans Association (MMWVA), the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Nairobi City County (Governor's Office), the National Museums of Kenya and the British High Commission.

Background: The Mau Mau War Veterans Association, assisted by KHRC and represented by the law firm of Leigh Day, reached an out of court settlement with the British Government, over torture committed during the colonial era in Kenya. 

It was announced in June 2013 and included: a financial settlement, a statement of sincere regret and the establishment of a memorial.
 

The Mau Mau Memorial will commemorate all those who were the victims of torture, suffered and supported the Mau Mau Movement.

Description: The memorial design will integrate three components, which are referred to as: a memorial place, a memorial narrative, and public interaction.

Memorial place

• Site, Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park (precise location to be decided).
• Floor area, 100 sq.m to 120 sq.m maximum.
• Floor level, 50 cm minimum above ground.
• Open-air and minimum enclosure.
• A commemorative setting.

Memorial narrative: Designs are to integrate the textual and visual narratives.

Textual narrative
 

It is composed of three types of plaques or panels:

• Opening plaques (total 3- English, Kiswahili and Braille)
• Recognition plaque (1, English)
• Settlement plaques (total 8—English 4 and Kiswahili 4).

Titles: History, Torture, Victims, Reconciliation (Display in linear sequence).
 

Plaque size: 80x90 cms. Text engraved on metal.
 

Plaques supplied by the competition organizers (Do not cost plaques in submission).

Visual narrative: Sculpture, mural and so on to symbolize reconciliation between the Mau Mau and the British Government

Public interaction

• Memorial attracts public attention.
• Memorial is used as an educational site.
• Memorial is used as a relaxation site.
• Memorial is memorable.

Eligibility
 

The competition is open to Kenyan designers and artists with 3-dimensional design and public art competences and experience. 

Individuals or a team of two-four persons may apply.

Submissions
 

Submissions must include:

• A narrative of the proposed memorial design.
• Production drawings (plans, elevations sections), and technical specifications.
• 2-D and 3-D images. Soft copy, PDF(s) and 5 hard copies (A3 size).
• Cost estimate based on current construction costs and cost of the visual narrative item.
• Applicant(s) first and last names, gender, email and mobile number.

Judging
 

The Steering Committee will establish a panel to judge the submissions.
 

They will be reviewed for merit, originality, feasibility and cost.
 

The Steering Committee reserves the right to make changes to the winning design before execution.

Practical test
 

Designs must satisfy the following practical test:

• Durability and minimum maintenance.
• All surfaces to withstand public space stress and weathering.
• Construction cost and cost of visual narrative item, not to exceed
• Shs. 9.5 million (memorial and sculpture)
• Compliance with NCC building code, as applicable.

Awards

• Winner: Shs.250, 000 and the commission to oversee the execution of the memorial.
• Runner-up: Shs.150, 000.
• Third place: Shs:100, 000.

The awards will be announced mid-February 2014.

Deadline: Submissions will be accepted through 14th January 2014.

Dispatching: Send soft copy of the submission, PDF(s), filename: MMM design competition, to: maumaudesigncomp@gmail.com 

Send hard copy of the submission, package labelled: Mau Mau Memorial Design Competition, to:

H.E. The Governor, 

Nairobi City County
City Hall, 1st Floor, Door 114
P.O Box 30075-00100, 

Nairobi

All enquiries should be directed to the above email address.