MODULA R BLOCK WORK – THE KEY TO QUALITY CONSTRUCTION
QUESTION: What distinguishes this project from other housing projects being developed around the country?
‘The intention of the project is to explore the potential to improve the sustainability of a low-income house within the subsidy cost constraints as dictated by government’, Llewelyn van Wyk, Principal Researcher at the CSIR Built Environment, explains. ‘Our aim was to achieve this by using conventional building materials innovatively and to optimize the use of energy- and water-efficient principles in the design of the house.’
Modular design enables Zero waste cost-effectiveness
On site, the aim was to promote quality of construction through best practice standards. The overall dimensions of the house have been carefully rationalized to fit within the modular dimensions of the concrete masonry blocks, with care taken to ensure that window and door openings are positioned to conform to the module of the concrete blocks. The unnecessary practice of cutting blocks on site is avoided by using the appropriate complementary concrete blocks, where required. The modular suit for building the CSIR house includes 5 types: the half, sill, lintel and corner blocks. The resulting reduction in waste material on site ultimately leads to reduced transportation costs and CO2 emissions emitted during transportation – ultimately reducing the carbon footprint of the development.
Attention to detail
Care was taken during the design phase to ensure that roof overhangs, as well as window and door openings are positioned and sized in such a way as to enhance the passive thermal qualities of the house, optimizing maximum sunlight penetration in winter, and providing sufficient protection against internal heat gain in summer. The basic 40 m2 house is often regarded and treated by the community as a ‘starter house’, with extensions to the original house often added afterwards, as funds become available. The CSIR design team positioned services, door and window openings with this objective in mind.
Local job creation
The local municipality of Kleinmond awarded the contract to M5 Developments Cape (Pty) Ltd, to be developed as a turnkey project. The development will provide 410 houses to the local community, scheduled for final completion in May 2011. M5 Developments Director, Rieger van Rooyen, comments: ‘We employed and trained 170 local residents to work on the development and were astounded by the high level of artisanship they displayed.’ Quality management on site plays an essential role in obtaining a high standard end product, van Rooyen further explains. ‘The modular building systems makes it easy for the block layer to monitor accuracy. If it’s wrong, it won’t fit’, Van Wyk added.
Innovation in action
Due to the excessive wind lift factor experienced in the area, concrete u-blocks were used to create a ring beam structure on top of the walls, which served to provide additional anchor to the roof structure.
Another innovative feature is the prefabricated plumbing manifold, which has been designed to facilitate cost saving through reduced pipe distances as well as to promote quality by simplify the installation process.
Key partnerships promotes sustainability through energy and resource efficiency
A number of resourceful innovations were implemented throughout the project, with the assistance of key partnerships.
The local municipality provided funding for the rationalized monolithic roof truss and concrete roof tiles, as well as the installations of an insulated ceiling board. The result is improved internal comfort to the occupants of the houses, as well as a reduction in energy and heating demand in the cold months.
The Department of Science and Technology funded the additional costs, including solar water geysers and photo voltaic panels for each house. Both these initiatives reduce the burden on energy demand from the local municipality, whilst at the same time adding immense value to the quality of life of the community. The geyser will provide warm water to the kitchen and the bathroom. The PV panels will generate electricity for three CFL light points in the house, as well as a plug point to charge cell phones. 2000 litre water storage tanks have been installed to each house to enable rain water harvesting. The outlet position has been adjusted to allow for a water bucket to fit easily underneath it. The community will receive training on the benefits and optimal use of these value-added features to ensure their success and sustainability.
Small touches adding value and quality of life
The government coastal allowance has been utilized to plaster and paint the external facades of the house. The interior of the houses will also be painted. The houses are positioned on site in a semi-detached layout, with a 140 mm double skin shared wall, resulting in improved thermal and sound insulation.
A unique fibre glass combined shower / bath unit was designed for the project. The length and width of the unit is similar to a standard shower, with increase depth which allows for bathing or washing of clothes, without using excessive amounts of water. Tile splash backs are provided to the sink and the shower area, to improve the waterproofing of the walls.
Long term performance and customer satisfaction
The CSIR has a contract with DST to return to the project a year after completion to monitor the performance of the units and to evaluate the long term benefits of these innovations. With a view on long term energy savings, the potential exists to include these innovations into the basic allowance and to implement these at a larger scale in future subsidized projects. But for now, with top notch quality and views to make many holiday makers go green with envy, the community of Kleinmond is sure to enjoy the benefits of these innovations for some time to come.
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