ALTERNATIVE HOUSING SOLUTIONS | part 1.0

COSTING & IMPLICATIONS by David Nahinga

1. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS

ALTERNATIVES & OPTIONS

1.1

1.1.1 Source: http://www.busyboo.com/tag/prefab-shed/

I would love to come to the day when our local Architects and Engineers can stretch

their knowledge to redefine the habitable space. With the cost of building a house

quickly getting over the roof of affordability of the average wage employee, and with

approximately 46% of the population living below the official poverty line, I think

housing is a basic human right that needs to be addressed through Alternative

Housing Solutions.

A quick research over the net reveals indeed there are Architectural Designs for

converting the typical containers used for the transportation of goods which can be

re-engineered into modern habitable spaces. I have attached a random sample of

the same on my post here. I am sure a little stretch of the imagination would trigger

even more fascinating designs.

The alternative housing can be used both for domestic and commercial purposes. You can adopt the style in doing a servants

quarter on the backside of your little plot and clad the same to create a pleasant façade.

Modular homes are inexpensive, high quality homes, which are identical to site built homes in every way. They can be built to

exceed building code standards and still be less expensive to produce; they result in higher equity for the home owner.

Steel manufacturers and local building construction companies can venture into the business of prefabricating houses from steel.

This can be easily achieved by close cooperation with professionals. Models can be designed and Durable Steel Building kits

developed. Metal building Models can be engineered and categorized to meet market segmentation and peoples budgets. Spatial

requirements can form another basis for standardizing the Models.

For the simple in heart and life, adoption of simpler solutions to their housing needs is the way to go. This reminds me of Ralph

Emerson’s’ Cabin which he built with ease just like one takes in water without much effort! The demands of Low Impact living may

not be over-emphasized. Those who have taken to the path and those institutions for example which out of necessity have a present

to adopt the low impact living lifestyle will indeed find Alternative Housing to be a friendly option.

Companies exist that have fully ventured in the construction of shipping container homes! A good example is California based “IC

Green”

Shipping containers are at the forefront of a new era of usefulness. Traditionally used to carry goods via cargo ship, train or truck,

these steel boxes are capable of withstanding huge amounts of pressure and weight. This makes them structurally stable, fireproof,

mold-proof and weather-proof.

Both the Military and Government Institutions can adopt the style of creating affordable housing solutions. The military can use them

because they can be rapidly erected. Institution dealing with refugees can use affordable steel houses as both offices and refugee

camps.

However, the design and landscaping aspects will have to be considered carefully when this are used in a wider scale.

Examples:

Cinco Camp, Roger Black’s Texas retreat, is made of five shipping containers

placed on his remote 3,000-acre ranch.

Sun Microsystems has created a truly Bomb-Proof server system. They’re

taking 20ft ISBU shipping containers and turning them into semi-portable web

servers. The first application in the public eye is at Sanford School where

they’re using it to run part of their particle accelerator. The server container

houses 242 servers and is connected to a 4 mega watt power supply.

2. PROCUREMENT & IMPLIMENTATION

THE OPTIONS WITHIN THE ACT

3. Advantages of Prefab Steel Housing

3.1 Steel is Economical and Durable: pre-engineered steel buildings can be designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions.

3.2 Completely clear span with no beams or posts to get in the way

3.3 Completely fire resistant

3.4 Affordability: Prefabs are remarkably affordable and allows for maximum usable space for minimum financial investment

3.5 Can be designed for simple bolt-together construction

3.6 Almost completely maintenance free

3.7 Highly versatility:perfect for virtually any commercial, industrial, or consumer application

3.8 Possible savings on your insurance premiums of up to 40% by building with steel - check your policy and contact your insurance agent for more details.

3.9 Building with steel is Environmentally Responsible because steel is recycled material – this means you will be helping to save the forests and the world won’t be saving scrap metal.

3.10 Steel is Energy Efficient which will save you money on temperature control and aid in maintaining ideal storage conditions. 3.11 >> SOURCE : http://www.americansteelspan.us/alternativehousing.html 4. Landscaping Issues/Design : A qualified Architect can help in the designs

4.1 -Landscaping Issues : This is necessary to camouflage the designs with the environment.

4.2 -The alternative container-houses design needs to be INTENTIONAL (Too many containers in one place may be unsightly since one may have the feel that it is a dumping site).

4.3 -Roofing: May be designed depending on the climatic conditions

4.4 -Availability of “Containers” 5. COSTING ITEMS: This will depend with the design but a typical "Shipping Container" modestly designed will capture the said costing items. As can be seen the cost is way too lower than a typical concrete/mortar design.

5.1 1NO. CONTAINERS: 1 X 120,000=120,000.00

5.2 2 WINDOWS: 4 No.X 6,000= 24,000.00

5.3 ROOFING(Harvey tiles):(46.9SM): Kshs. 2,000/sm = 93,800.00

5.4 DOORS:3No.X 8,000= 24,000.00

5.5 PLINTH: 10,000X31.31= 310,310.00

5.6 TRANSPORT COSTS TO SITE: Provisional 100,000.00

5.7 Add FINISHES & FITTINGS TO CONTAINER & PLINTH : Provision 100,000.00

5.8 APPROXIMATE COST: kshs.772,110.00

5.9 TYPICAL CONCRETE HOUSE/ SAME AREA COSTS:KSHS.1,095,850.00

Post Compiled by David Nahinga for and on behalf of www.ujenzibora.wordpress.com