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The CSIR's demonstration, low-income housing unit developed with innovative design and construction technology |
The first concrete being poured for the foundation slab of the CSIR's improved low-income house |
The modular, design-to-fit approach followed during construction |
The prefabricated plumbing manifold used in the CSIR house |
Llewellyn van Wyk explaining some of the attributes of the CSIR's low-income house to Dr Phil Mjwara, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi and members of the media |
Hans Ittmann, Executive Director of CSIR Built Environment (right), talking about the low-income housing project with Dr Phil Mjwara (left) and other guests
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Recognising sustainable, quality low-income housing as a national priority, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) commissioned the CSIR to investigate technology possibilities for improved low-income housing. "The CSIR applied its collective science and technology expertise to contribute towards promoting sustainable human settlements," says Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, CSIR President and CEO. The desired research outcome was to impact positively on the low-income housing sector by means of more comfortable homes that are durable, faster to build, easily extendible and less dependent on municipal services.
Firstly, the CSIR scientifically determined the shortcomings of a default 40 m² low-income house. Using innovative design and construction technology, CSIR Built Environment researchers then developed and tested a demonstration house with significantly improved performance and sustainability. If built according to CSIR specifications, and on large scale, such houses will be constructed much faster and at similar costs than when using conventional methods.
Sibisi hosted an event in November to showcase the demonstration house on the CSIR Built Environment Innovation Site on the Pretoria campus. The event was attended by Dr Phil Mjwara, DST Director-General, his delegation and media representatives.
Llewellyn van Wyk, senior researcher at CSIR Built Environment, made the project presentation on the application of innovative technology in low-income housing and responded to questions from the media.
At the site, researchers from the Built Environment unit explained the characteristics of three different demonstration houses, all 40 m² in size. Dr Jabulani Kuchena spoke about a typical, government-subsidised low-income house; Dr Joe Mapiravana showed guests a typical suburban house, based on a low-income house plan; and Van Wyk explained the technology used in the improved CSIR house.
The CSIR demonstration house adheres to the National Building Regulations and the requirements of the National Home Builders Registration Council. The complete house has been certified by Agrément South Africa, the internationally acknowledged body that provides assurance through technical approvals of non-standardised or unconventional products.
"While being the same size as the other two houses, the CSIR's experimental house has an optimised design with the added advantage that it can easily be extended by home owners. The starter unit can be developed into a fully-fledged, three-bedroom home without any demolition. The house was constructed combining technologies and materials to improve living conditions and the durability of the home," says Hans Ittmann, Executive Director of CSIR Built Environment.
Some contractors in the low-income market do not lay foundations to standard. To eliminate cracked walls resulting from sub-standard foundations, a CSIR technology developed for roads was adapted to form the foundation slab of the house. Local labour can be used to construct such foundations, which are based on ultra-thin, continuously-reinforced concrete technology.
"The CSIR used a modular, design-to-fit approach similar to a Lego set where pieces have to fit together correctly to form the bigger unit. One big difference to current low-income houses is the design of the bathroom and kitchen area, and the use of a waste outlet manifold that is pre-manufactured, quality-tested and installed on site. This reduces the extent of the plumbing installation substantially while ensuring that the installation is done to the required standard," says Van Wyk, who heads the low-income housing project.
Standard low-income houses have no ceilings and thus no insulation, which results in substantial variations in temperatures. The thermal performance of the roof was improved significantly with the addition of an insulation material that doubles up as a ceiling. The house faces the appropriate direction for ensuring bedrooms can benefit from sunlight, while the living room faces north.
"An added advantage of the CSIR design and construction technology is that the amount of concrete used during construction is reduced by an estimate of one ton per house. This results in a reduction of CO2 emissions - also estimated at one ton per house," notes Van Wyk.
The CSIR low-income housing initiative is a research project-in-progress. The most recent additions will ensure improved energy efficiency - these include a solar-powered geyser on top of the roof, a photo-voltaic panel above the front door for powering five LED lights and a cell phone charger inside the house. Following an integrated approach, a water tank has been installed next to the house for harvesting rainwater off the roof, which acts as a gutter due to the construction methodology. "CSIR researchers will continue to pursue improved performance and sustainability for the low-income housing sector to impact on the quality of life of communities," says Sibisi.
Incorporating most components of the CSIR-developed low-income house, local authorities of the Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape and Kleinmond in the Western Cape are collaborating with the DST to have pilot housing units built.
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