The incipient year of the Better Living Challenge has stimulated an interesting development in the local sustainable building industry. One of these has been the collaborative work between Italian-based BBuilding, Western Cape concrete manufacturer, Cape Concrete, and local designers, UGM Consultants to introduce the Silicawood Medication Ward Structure project. This project is being implemented in partnership with Imbadu Ma-Afrika Development Consortium (community based property developer) at Khayamandi Township near Stellenbosch .
The project is aimed at showcasing innovative design solutions through a collaborative approach to foster smart integrated energy efficient settlements in the Western Cape.
The projects highlights sustainable innovation as it uses waste wood as a replacement for sand in making precast concrete slabs and panels that can be used for rapid and lighter weight building.
Speaking to Roberto Pane, who is leading the development of the project, “Our goal down the line after enrolling in NHBRC is to achieve the South African Agreement that will permit operations in SA in due time. In the same span of time (12-18 months ) we will build a Silicawood plant in Italy import it to SA and commission it in a JV collaboration with a local prefab company.”
As GreenCape, we view that the Better Living Challenge played a pivotal role in laying down the foundation work of this project. We are hoping to use this a catalyst for similar projects in the near future.
For more info on the company, visit the website, or view the presentation.