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The CSIR's Llewellyn van Wyk at the demonstration low income house
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Using innovative technology, the CSIR has demonstrated significant performance and sustainability enhancements for low income housing. Funded by the DST, the CSIR designed and constructed a demonstration house on its Pretoria test site.
"The building system used in the house has obtained Agrément certification for new construction products and methods. Various components used in the house are set to be patented," says the CSIR's Llewellyn van Wyk.
The house was designed to enable government-funded low income houses of 40 m2 (Superscript 2) to be easily extended by occupants, for example to become a three bedroomed house. Technology within the capability of the occupant and the house deliverer has been used. "A modular design approach was followed along the principle of design-to-fit, resulting in zero waste produced as building blocks don't have to be cut. The modular design is similar to a Lego set where pieces have to fit together correctly as part of the bigger unit," he comments.
The orientation of the house was maximised, ensuring bedrooms can make use of sunlight, with the living room facing north.
It is recognised that some contractors working in the low income market often do not lay foundations to standard. To eliminate cracked walls resulting from sub-standard foundations, a CSIR-developed technology - ultra-thin continuously-reinforced concrete used for roads - was adapted to form the foundation slab of the house. "Local labour can be used to construct such foundations," says Van Wyk.
One big difference to current houses is that the design of the bathroom/kitchen area was rationalised, and a waste outlet manifold used that is pre-manufactured, quality-tested and installed on site. This has reduced the extent of the plumbing installation substantially while ensuring that the installation is done to the required standard.
"Low income houses have no ceiling at present and thus no insulation, which results in incredible variations in temperatures," explains Van Wyk. The thermal performance of the roof was improved dramatically with the addition of an insulation material that doubles up as a ceiling.
Where houses fall into a coastal allowance area, occupants get additional funding from government, allowing them to plaster the exterior of their houses. "We have tested a new type of plaster that provides additional water proofing as well as extra thermal insulation," concludes Van Wyk.
A house has been built in Mdantsane in the Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape and another at Kleinmond in the Western Cape for demonstration purposes in anticipation of possible future roll out.
Enquiries: CSIR Communication
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