Western Cape's embrace of alternative building technologies to be applauded

The Western Cape's Department of Human Settlements has invited contractors to submit tenders for the construction of some 2000 ABT-built homes (in single- and double-storey format) in Delft Symphony Precincts 3 and 5 in Cape Town. The project will be financed by the Department of Human Settlements Provincial Housing Subsidy Scheme.

This is one of the largest, if not the largest, single ABT housing development yet undertaken by the public sector in sub-Saharan Africa. It is bigger, even, than the 1600 homes that Vela's Modular Building Solutions division is supplying to the Angolan government for a community settlement in the south of that country.

Both projects confirm that more time-effective and cost-efficient alternative-construction methods and materials (as a substitute for traditional bricks and mortar) are urgently required to address not only the housing needs of expanding, and steadily urbanising, regional populations, but also the associated community infrastructural requirements, such as schools, crèches and clinics.

Cape Town office opened

As a result, Vela Building Solutions has doubled capacity at its Gauteng production plant and opened an office in Cape Town to help streamline and co-ordinate its activities in the Western and Eastern Cape.

In the Eastern Cape, for instance, Vela's Modular building technology is being extensively applied to the construction of new and upgraded public sector schools, as well as the replacement of old-era mud brick schools.

Vela's Modular Building Solutions provides a modular solid-walled, rapid building method that delivers a high-quality permanent house (or other structure) at relatively low cost - by seamlessly applying the efficiencies of factory production to on-site construction that uses low skills.

Competitive pricing and fast-track construction

This not only results in competitive pricing and fast-track construction, but also counteracts the effects of the shortage of skilled workers, the non-availability of building materials in remote areas, and the need for maintaining construction quality.

Ideally suited to government-financed community housing projects, Vela's Modular system consists of 1.2m-wide structurally insulated interlocking panels that vary in height up to 3m and are 110mm thick (excluding plaster). The panels consist of fire-rated magnesium oxide outer boards with a solid inner core of polyurethane.

The thermally efficient and fire-resistant panels are provided with pre-fitted aluminium or steel windows and door frames, and can be economically transported, flat-packed, over long distances.

Once erected and plastered, there is no visible difference between a conventionally built structure and the Modular unit.

The Modular Building Solutions system is certified by SA Agre'ment, and is compliant with the US (IRC R614) building code.