The provision of more sustainable, dignified social housing plays an important in role in responding to our climate change crisis.
Through an inclusive, bottom-up co-design process we aim to develop housing models that directly address community needs. By focusing on densification, we can reduce urban sprawl and by clustering houses we can significantly reduce construction costs and create safe spaces for residents. Designs can accommodate incremental vertical expansion, allowing homeowners to upgrade their homes when circumstances allow.
The use of concrete with alternative, biomass-based binders is a key component of our models. Research has shown that the material significantly improves thermal efficiency and, as well as having superior acoustic properties, is also fire-proof.
During the construction phase, emphasis is placed on skills transfer and job creation. By including labour intensive building methods, we can help address local unemployment issues and through training workshops help to upskill the local labour force.
Using smart design and innovative materials it is possible to produce affordable, quality, carbon-neutral housing.
Gallery
Co-design workshop in Mshini Wam, Cape Town – 2017
Concept sketch, affordable social housing – 2020 (credit: nonCrete and BRG)
Gender-neutral jobs on the construction site – South Africa 2020
Texture detail of wall after removal of woven formwork – Cape Town 2020
Window detail, finished – Skukuza 2018
Pre-cast nonCrete wall panels – South Africa 2019
Casting of pre-cast nonCrete wall panels – South Africa 2018
Detail of floor finish during sealing process – Cape Town 2021
On-site casting of pre-manufactured window frame – Cape Town 2020
Celebrating a successful wall casting and finish – Cape Town 2019
Hand-casting nonCrete, Cape Town 2019
Hand-casting nonCrete, Cape Town 2019
Hand-casting of void-blocks – Knysna 2018
Hand casting into formwork, first floor – Garden Route 2019
Placing of formwork prior to hand-casting of wall – Limpopo, 2018
Localized, labor-intensive job creation and low-tech construction – South Africa, 2019
Cross section illustration of multi-level structure including funicular floor and barrel vault roof – Cape Town, BRG ETH Zurich
Infographic interpreting a labor intensive construction process using geometry-based design and low-tech construction principles – Skukuza, Cape Town, BRG ETH Zurich
Sketches emanating from a co-design workshop, Tshwane, 2019
Co-design workshop in progress, re-imagining and upgrading informal settlements, Cape Town 2015
