Page 30 - IB September 2024

Building and Construction Building and Construction

Continued from page 27

next Category 5 cyclone hits. It’s not a matter of ‘if’, but
‘when’”.

Empowering women through architecture
While traditional techniques are gaining recognition, so too
are the efforts of women like Loata Ho, a Fijian architect who
has battled cultural and gender-based barriers to bring her
climate-resilient vision to life.
In 2022, Ho collaborated with the nonprofit Architects
Without Frontiers to design a women’s centre on the island of
Vanua Levu, working alongside women from local villages.
The project’s goal was to design a space using sustainable
materials and techniques for local women. Palauan Bai
Ho told ABC Pacific: “From the beginning, we wanted the
women to be part of the process. resilience have excluded women’s voices for far too long.
“But it took time for them to feel comfortable enough “This project is about reclaiming that space and proving
to express their opinions. We held workshops and listened that we have the knowledge and the power to make our
to their conversations, and slowly, we began to shape the communities stronger.”
project into something truly community-driven.”
The centre, known as Ita Tadra (Our Dreaming), A path forward for Pacific nations
incorporates traditional Fijian building methods and locally With rising temperatures and sea levels, the need for
sourced materials. climate adaptation in the Pacific has never been more urgent.
Designed to withstand cyclones, the structure offers a safe Rankin states that modern innovations and governmental
space for women to gather and share their stories. policies must support traditional building techniques, which
Ho claims that discussions about building and climate offer a promising path forward.
“Governments need to update national building codes to
reflect the climate challenges we face,” says Rankin.
“We also need to work more closely with the construction
Street : 36-38 Nabeka Street
Postal : P.O. Box 42, Ba, Fiji
sector to implement sustainable practices.”
Phone : (679)667-0122
Fax : (679)667-0006 or 667-0067
Despite the challenges, there are numerous opportunities
Email : elisha@connect.com.fj
Web : www.elishaengineering.com

One such business, Elisha Engineering Co Pte Ltd, has been operating an Engineering, for Pacific Island nations to lead the world in green building

Fabrication and Welding workshop in Ba since 1976. and climate resilience.
�ne such business, �lisha �ngineering �o �te �td, has been operating an �ngineering, �abrication
and Welding workshop in �a since ����.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ramesh Chadra said since 1976, the In July, the Tongan government, along with UNDP and GCF,

company has provided comprehensive engineering services to Fiji and the South launched Tonga’s Joint National Adaptation Plan 2 (JNAP2),
�r. �handra who is the chief e�ecutive officer and managing director said, since ���� the company
Pacific. has provided comprehensive engineering services to �i�i and the south pacific.
which aimed to serve as a blueprint for other Pacific nations
“We maintain our presence in a variety of markets, including but not limited to; to; construction,
“We maintain our presence in a variety of markets including but not limited
mining, timber � furniture making, hotels, agricultural equipment, Water bottling, �ugar and
construction, mining, timber & furniture making, hotels, agricultural equipment, looking to integrate climate risks into their development
mechanical.
water bottling, sugar and mechanical. strategies.

“In short, we are a robust company that adapts to the ups and downs in individual industries to
“In short, we are a robust company that adapts to the ups and downs in individual “The goal is to ensure that every level of government and
meet customer demands so our customers can depend on us to be there when they need us, in
industries to meet customer demands so our customers can depend on us to be there
good or bad times.”

when they need us, in good or bad times.” community is prepared for the impacts of climate change,”
He adds from the start, shareholders of the company had set out a goal to provide a high level of
service in the construction, mining, water bottling and sugar industries.
He adds that from the start, shareholders of the company had set out a goal to provide says a representative from Tonga’s Department of Climate

a high level of service in the construction, mining, water bottling and sugar industries.
He said the goal was always to meet the demands of today’s quality conscious customers. Change.

He said the goal was always to meet the demands of today’s quality conscious According to UNDP, the Pacific region is also witnessing a
“We pride ourselves in working closely with our customers to produce timely results at a very
customers. “We pride ourselves in working closely with our customers to produce
reasonable cost.

timely results at a very reasonable cost. surge in interest from global institutions.
“We help them understand the issues regarding structural integrity and provide sound engineering
“We help them understand the issues regarding structural integrity and provide Universities like Stanford in the United States and the
solutions.

sound engineering solutions.”
University of British Columbia in Canada have launched
“SUPPORT FIJI MADE & KEEP FIJI WORKING” programs focused on Indigenous architecture and sustainable

General Engineering — Contracting & Construction — Fitting & Machining — design, recognising the global relevance of Pacific building

Plant Maintenance & Labour Hire — Zinc Plating — Zinc Metal Spray — Hot

Dip Galvanising — Corrosion Protection — Steel Fabrication — Structural Steel techniques.
“SUPPORT FIJI MADE & KEEP FIJI WORKING”
Fabrication for Buildings — Pipelines — Tanks — Pressure Vessels As Pacific Island nations continue to bear the brunt of
General Engineering - Contracting & Construction- Fitting & Machining – Plant maintenance & Labour Hire - Zinc Plating – Zinc Metal Spray –
Hot Dip Galvanising -Corrosion Protection – Steel Fabrication – Structural Steel Fabrication for Buildings - Pipelines – Tanks – Pressure
Vessels climate change, their efforts to build a more resilient future
Serving the Community of Fiji and the South Pacific!

Serving the Community of FIJI and the SOUTH PACIFIC
through green architecture are gaining momentum.
Contact “We have a responsibility to use every tool available to
www.elishaengineering.com 36-38 Nabeka Street, Ba, Fiji Islands us—traditional knowledge, modern innovation, and community
PO Box 42, Ba, Fiji Islands +679 667-0122
+ 679 667-0006 or 667-0067 elisha@connect.com.fj engagement—to protect our people and our environment,”
says Liuvaie.
30 Islands Business, September 2024