Campus Startup

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Campus Startup Our first campus is a prototype, a testbed. The modular design is both simpler and more flexible than may be required for our eventual main campus. It is also extremely lean, something we can build and operate with limited resources. We assume no useable structures on the property but renovations to existing buildings could provide a welcome boost. This startup build will be extremely well documented, as will normal operations that follow. This will provide a wealth of engaging, educational content to share with the world. We will all learn from our successes and missteps as we enjoy and explore.

  • Basecamp Site Preparation: In the following order: Installation of a perimeter fence, partial leveling, excavation for drainage and storage ponds, soil amendment, water roof, solar roof and irrigation system build out.
  • Mobile Modular Units (MMU) Deployment I: We will deploy 4 x hab modules, 2 x systems modules, 1 x cantina and some site infrastructure. These will be covered with a permanent solar shade / rain collection roof. MMUs will have improved versions of our prototype solar thermal systems. These will be scaled down versions of our café kitchen systems. This solar PV array will be determined depending on hardware availability and cost though it will have a peak capacity of 4kW with battery banks sized based on cost.
  • Small Experimental Farm: After our irrigation setup we will do our first plantings of reliable, local crops. Many of these plants are legumes that fix nitrogen, which will help with soil development on a new farm plot. We are heavily intercropping for biodiversity and staggered seasonal harvests. This is not going to be the final form of the property as we will attempt to discover local cultivars with the more common crops. Our trees are all selected for a two year to first fruit from seedling. We will also consult with Central Luzon State University to see what they have available in their nurseries. As of 2019 Nora has already been testing most of these crops at the Homeoffice property for promising cultivars.
  • First Local Student Team: Our first freshman class, likely limited to one team of seven students, will be selected.
  • Foodplus Channel: Though we will have food on our main SRGSMART channel at this point we will phase this content to a dedicated media channel of its own.
  • Phase III Relocation: Richard, our chief agronomist, will be relocating to the new site from Canada at this point.
  • Media Production Team: Students and online volunteers will form a mixed media production team at this point. Students will begin learning 3D modeling and animation with open source tools. Some investment in software will be made at this point, to cover what cannot easily be done with open source.
  • MMU Deployment II: This will include the mobile facilities we need to support an effective build team for the core structure builds without disrupting other operations on the farm.
  • Café Core Build: Depending on site conditions, architect input and available funding a version of our Bistro-Café with Sari Sari convenience store will be built. It will not be cosmetically finished to a high standard on the interior but will have extra systems and features relative to a standard industrial build. We estimate cost to be equivalent to a mid-range residential project in the national capital region.
  • Expanded Local Student Cohort: Due to the increased capacity from our Café Core build (the teamspace and Foodplus facilities) more first year students will be invited to attend.
  • Café Core Systems Upgrade: The major expense for our core structure builds will be the digital and energy systems they require. The campus is designed to be self-documenting, so that in all work spaces high quality audio & video can be captured on demand. High bandwidth Wi-Fi LANs will also be required for staff and student devices. Our workflow is planned around android OS devices with a few dedicated PCs for hardware intensive applications such as video editing, animation and research simulations. This upgrade may stretch into normal campus operations below if our budget requires progress in stages.

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