I Thought You Should Know
Image: Baraka, Nanyuki, Laikipia, Kenya.
CAN KENYA ADOPT ON CONCRETE FIBER BOARD HOUSING AS A LOW COST HOUSING ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE MABATI (IRON SHEET) STRUCTURES AND INCOMPLETE EXPENSIVE WAYS OF BUILDING.
The characteristics of a Kenyan mind set is making a profit where we can. We have seen new technologies come in to try to lower housing cost and it has failed as of too many factors stated later in this article.
Lets first understand concrete fiber board : Fiber cement siding ("fibre cement cladding" in the UK and "fibro" in Australia) is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. Fibercement is a composite material made of cement reinforced with cellulose fibers.
Factors That Hinder One From Owning A Home :
For a long time since former President Mwai Kibaki was swore in as president...Cost of living has gone up and item prices have ridiculously increased in price and for the employed..salaries are not going higher as they thought, making life harder.
The number of employed Kenyan citizens who have ended up taking home mortgage to buy apartments is high and worrying as many take years to pay not less that 10 years.
The Factors in Note Form:
The United States Housing Projects
We all have seen movies and admired houses in the movies , which are in USA. The housing that resemble wood. That is a concrete fiber board house and has been there since the 1970s till now.
If you can admire then you can build it since its cheap and affordable, lets jump to the facts
Concrete Fiber Board House Structures
A Concrete fiber board comes in various thickness of 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm and 18mm. The board size is 1220mm x 2420mm (4 ft x 8ft) .
Cost of 6mm=Ksh. 3000($25), Cost of 9mm Ksh. 4,500($37)
Per board you need a length of 9M of 50mm x 75mm wood or 50mm x 75mm C - section mild steel.
For the internal walls you need 12mm of gypsum board and 9mm gypsum board for your ceiling.
The wall thickness is between 70mm to 95mm (paint 1mm + CFB 6mm + Frame (75mm or 50mm) + Gypsum 12mm + Paint 1mm )
You can use poly ester for more insulation but as it is , that's enough .
The sound insulation is great, water resistant i great and the look and feel is great.
Why not start using the technology USA have done it why cant we do it.
The time taken for this construction depending on the location is 4 weeks to 8 weeks for a residential building. Reduced cost of materials results to a labor( 35% of Material cost) cost reduction and time is a big factor in construction.
Arch Brill Consultancy would like to partner with investors and developer to try kick start this project as it has everything we need to reduce the cost of affording a house.
Internal view of the CFB house.
12mm Gypsum walling
50mm or 75mm Aluminium channels and on critical corners , use 75mm x 50mm Well selected Cypress timber.
Then Complete Walling, Ceiling and Painting .
Floor type is optional but Epoxy resin is ideal.
Cost of 3 bedroom house 78sqm is ksh.1,560,000 rate of Ksh. 20,000 per sqm. Thus the rate can go up depending on finishes upto Ksh. 25,000 per sqm.
For Schools and Halls can cost between Ksh.15,000 to 20,000 per sqM. depending on the finishes .
This rates are for standard height of max ceiling height of 2700mm.
I believe those who will read this article might be interested on expounding on it or building one of it.
....................................................................................................................................................
Brian Felix Lukorito - (Architectural Designer and Construction Project Manager)
C.F.O Arch Brill Consultancy [email protected] +254780779277 +254792403129 +254718779277
Nairobi, Kenya.
CAN KENYA ADOPT ON CONCRETE FIBER BOARD HOUSING AS A LOW COST HOUSING ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE MABATI (IRON SHEET) STRUCTURES AND INCOMPLETE EXPENSIVE WAYS OF BUILDING.
The characteristics of a Kenyan mind set is making a profit where we can. We have seen new technologies come in to try to lower housing cost and it has failed as of too many factors stated later in this article.
Lets first understand concrete fiber board : Fiber cement siding ("fibre cement cladding" in the UK and "fibro" in Australia) is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. Fibercement is a composite material made of cement reinforced with cellulose fibers.
Factors That Hinder One From Owning A Home :
For a long time since former President Mwai Kibaki was swore in as president...Cost of living has gone up and item prices have ridiculously increased in price and for the employed..salaries are not going higher as they thought, making life harder.
The number of employed Kenyan citizens who have ended up taking home mortgage to buy apartments is high and worrying as many take years to pay not less that 10 years.
The Factors in Note Form:
- The desire to own an expensive home for respect purposes.
- The belief that houses build with stones blocks is secure and safe.
- The belief of having small windows or large windows with over spec grills to be secure.
- The belief that buy an apartment is easy than building a home.
The United States Housing Projects
We all have seen movies and admired houses in the movies , which are in USA. The housing that resemble wood. That is a concrete fiber board house and has been there since the 1970s till now.
If you can admire then you can build it since its cheap and affordable, lets jump to the facts
Concrete Fiber Board House Structures
A Concrete fiber board comes in various thickness of 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm and 18mm. The board size is 1220mm x 2420mm (4 ft x 8ft) .
Cost of 6mm=Ksh. 3000($25), Cost of 9mm Ksh. 4,500($37)
Per board you need a length of 9M of 50mm x 75mm wood or 50mm x 75mm C - section mild steel.
For the internal walls you need 12mm of gypsum board and 9mm gypsum board for your ceiling.
The wall thickness is between 70mm to 95mm (paint 1mm + CFB 6mm + Frame (75mm or 50mm) + Gypsum 12mm + Paint 1mm )
You can use poly ester for more insulation but as it is , that's enough .
The sound insulation is great, water resistant i great and the look and feel is great.
Why not start using the technology USA have done it why cant we do it.
The time taken for this construction depending on the location is 4 weeks to 8 weeks for a residential building. Reduced cost of materials results to a labor( 35% of Material cost) cost reduction and time is a big factor in construction.
Arch Brill Consultancy would like to partner with investors and developer to try kick start this project as it has everything we need to reduce the cost of affording a house.
Internal view of the CFB house.
12mm Gypsum walling
50mm or 75mm Aluminium channels and on critical corners , use 75mm x 50mm Well selected Cypress timber.
Then Complete Walling, Ceiling and Painting .
Floor type is optional but Epoxy resin is ideal.
Cost of 3 bedroom house 78sqm is ksh.1,560,000 rate of Ksh. 20,000 per sqm. Thus the rate can go up depending on finishes upto Ksh. 25,000 per sqm.
For Schools and Halls can cost between Ksh.15,000 to 20,000 per sqM. depending on the finishes .
This rates are for standard height of max ceiling height of 2700mm.
I believe those who will read this article might be interested on expounding on it or building one of it.
....................................................................................................................................................
Brian Felix Lukorito - (Architectural Designer and Construction Project Manager)
C.F.O Arch Brill Consultancy [email protected] +254780779277 +254792403129 +254718779277
Nairobi, Kenya.
Rain Penetration Through Masonry
Rain penetration into masonry (penetrating damp) can occur in buildings of all ages. At its most obvious, it penetrates right through the wall and is visible as a damp patch on the internal wall – often causing discolouration and peeling/flaking of paintwork or wallpaper. However, rainwater penetration can be damaging to a property, even if it does not penetrate all the way through a wall. For example, moss growth, increased heat loss, and frost damage can be caused by rain penetration into masonry.
Rain penetration is not a problem that is restricted to single-skin walls. Poorly installed wall-ties or cavity wall insulation can provide a pathway for rain penetration to track through cavity walls.
In many cases, rain penetration is caused by poorly designed or maintained building details (e.g. blocked downpipes or leaking gutters) causing large amounts of rainwater to flow over a small section of masonry. In these cases, the penetrating damp can usually be cured by rectifying the defect.
In other cases rain penetration can be caused by the masonry wall not being weathertight enough to withstand local weather conditions. Often the weathertightness of the masonry can be improved using external render, cladding, or weatherproof paints. However these solutions all change the visual appearance of the masonry.
Rain penetration is not a problem that is restricted to single-skin walls. Poorly installed wall-ties or cavity wall insulation can provide a pathway for rain penetration to track through cavity walls.
In many cases, rain penetration is caused by poorly designed or maintained building details (e.g. blocked downpipes or leaking gutters) causing large amounts of rainwater to flow over a small section of masonry. In these cases, the penetrating damp can usually be cured by rectifying the defect.
In other cases rain penetration can be caused by the masonry wall not being weathertight enough to withstand local weather conditions. Often the weathertightness of the masonry can be improved using external render, cladding, or weatherproof paints. However these solutions all change the visual appearance of the masonry.
Design is a process
0. It starts with strategic definition to identify the clients business case and strategic brief and other core project requirements
1. Preparation of brief, this develops project objectives and project out comes,sustainability ,Aspirations and other parameters . 2. Concept Design, This is where your prepare concept design including outline proposals for structural design, building services system,outline specifications and preliminary cost information along with relevant project strategies. 3. Developed design, This is prepared including coordinated and updated proposal for structural design. 4. Technical Design, In accordance with design matrix and project strategies. 5. Construction in accordance with construction programme and resolution of design queries from site as the arise. 6. Hand over and close out-end of building contract 7. In Use |
Wide Span Widows and Sliding DoorsHi,
I would to introduce you to the advantages of wide span windows and sliding folding glass doors either being Upvc design or steel or aluminium design type. Design wise it is impressive and eye catchy plus it makes the exterior environment more open to the inside of the house. Better lighting experience and better ventilation type. Depending on the area you are building your house must be positioned in a strategic way as per the daylight study analysis of the entire season . This will be done by the architect to give the client a different experience every season. Arch-Brill embraces the design in its designs and client are positive about it . |
Followers And Potential Clients
Challenge is the pathway to engagement and progress in our lives. But not all challenges are created equal. Some challenges make us feel alive, engaged, connected, and fulfilled. Others simply overwhelm us. Knowing the difference as you set bigger and bolder challenges for yourself is critical to your sanity, success, and satisfaction.
Have a great weekend,face your challenge. C.E.O Brian Felix |
Why we need laws on green architecture
Lack of regulations on minimum environmental performance of new buildings will frustrate the country’s efforts to meet energy needs.
The huge buildings, including shopping malls and towering glass skyscrapers littering our major towns, are a sign that the building sector in the country is yet to align itself to the country’s national ambition on mitigating harmful effects of environmental disruption.
The building and construction sector must go green for the country to meets its energy needs and to conserve the environment.
Article 43 (1) (c) of the Constitution requires the Government to ensure access to adequate housing with reasonable standards of sanitation for all Kenyans. But despite the building sector recording one of the highest growth rates in recent years, it seems the sector has not been aligned to the overall national development aspirations in many aspects.
To actualise this constitutional requirement, relevant laws and policies should be finalised and implemented. They include the Housing Bill (2016), the Built Environment Bill (2015), National Housing Policy (2013), National Building Maintenance Policy and the National Building Regulations (2015).
Building code
It is encouraging to see that the Government has revised and will soon launch the building code that now incorporates the concept of green buildings in building designs, construction, operation and maintenance as a way of ensuring healthy environments and the most efficient and least disruptive use of resources like land, water, energy and materials.
However, this is not enough, and the laws are needed. According to the Economic Survey 2015, the building and construction sector posted one of the highest growths. In 2014, the sector registered a growth rate of 13.1 per cent compared to 5.8 per cent in 2013.
With such growth, especially in urban areas, energy consumption by the sector will continue to grow in a way that is not sustainable.
It’s sad that while the building sector is growing in leaps and bounds, because of the absence of laws, we continue to ignore putting up environmentally-conscious buildings, with even basic requirements like being sensitive to climatic condition
We are aping the West in the design of our buildings, which are not necessarily fit for our environment. Many buildings in Nairobi have been abandoned or failed to get tenants simply because of failing to incorporate factors such as the direction of the sun and wind movement.
Other than providing a legal framework that encourages construction of green buildings, the Government should take a lead role in encouraging best environmental practices. This includes ensuring that new government buildings embrace “green” building principles, giving tax rebates as an incentive to developers of green buildings or offer cash incentives to green building developers.
It could also help if the banking sector offered incentives in the form of lower interest rates to developers of green buildings. UN-Habitat and professional bodies should also educate people on the advantages of green building. Architects must lead from the front by designing environmentally-friendly buildings while architectural curricula in local universities and colleges should put emphasis on sustainable architecture.
Studies have shown that green buildings have various benefits in environmental, financial and social terms.
Whereas environmentally friendly buildings are likely to cost slightly more than those that do not have environmentally-friendly features, the extra construction costs are likely to be recovered through reduced energy running costs, low-maintenance costs, among other things.
Environmentally-conscious buildings lead to low long-term exposure to environmental problems, low electricity or energy bills, greater productivity as most workers are likely to have lower levels of sickness and also absenteeism from work hence having a market advantage.
Lack of regulations on minimum environmental performance of new buildings will frustrate the country’s efforts to meet energy needs.
The huge buildings, including shopping malls and towering glass skyscrapers littering our major towns, are a sign that the building sector in the country is yet to align itself to the country’s national ambition on mitigating harmful effects of environmental disruption.
The building and construction sector must go green for the country to meets its energy needs and to conserve the environment.
Article 43 (1) (c) of the Constitution requires the Government to ensure access to adequate housing with reasonable standards of sanitation for all Kenyans. But despite the building sector recording one of the highest growth rates in recent years, it seems the sector has not been aligned to the overall national development aspirations in many aspects.
To actualise this constitutional requirement, relevant laws and policies should be finalised and implemented. They include the Housing Bill (2016), the Built Environment Bill (2015), National Housing Policy (2013), National Building Maintenance Policy and the National Building Regulations (2015).
Building code
It is encouraging to see that the Government has revised and will soon launch the building code that now incorporates the concept of green buildings in building designs, construction, operation and maintenance as a way of ensuring healthy environments and the most efficient and least disruptive use of resources like land, water, energy and materials.
However, this is not enough, and the laws are needed. According to the Economic Survey 2015, the building and construction sector posted one of the highest growths. In 2014, the sector registered a growth rate of 13.1 per cent compared to 5.8 per cent in 2013.
With such growth, especially in urban areas, energy consumption by the sector will continue to grow in a way that is not sustainable.
It’s sad that while the building sector is growing in leaps and bounds, because of the absence of laws, we continue to ignore putting up environmentally-conscious buildings, with even basic requirements like being sensitive to climatic condition
We are aping the West in the design of our buildings, which are not necessarily fit for our environment. Many buildings in Nairobi have been abandoned or failed to get tenants simply because of failing to incorporate factors such as the direction of the sun and wind movement.
Other than providing a legal framework that encourages construction of green buildings, the Government should take a lead role in encouraging best environmental practices. This includes ensuring that new government buildings embrace “green” building principles, giving tax rebates as an incentive to developers of green buildings or offer cash incentives to green building developers.
It could also help if the banking sector offered incentives in the form of lower interest rates to developers of green buildings. UN-Habitat and professional bodies should also educate people on the advantages of green building. Architects must lead from the front by designing environmentally-friendly buildings while architectural curricula in local universities and colleges should put emphasis on sustainable architecture.
Studies have shown that green buildings have various benefits in environmental, financial and social terms.
Whereas environmentally friendly buildings are likely to cost slightly more than those that do not have environmentally-friendly features, the extra construction costs are likely to be recovered through reduced energy running costs, low-maintenance costs, among other things.
Environmentally-conscious buildings lead to low long-term exposure to environmental problems, low electricity or energy bills, greater productivity as most workers are likely to have lower levels of sickness and also absenteeism from work hence having a market advantage.