Small Low-Cost Housing Development
The small low-cost housing development is normally based on effective budgeting and cost reduction techniques by using skills, technology and materials available locally yet with the project structure maintaining its strength, having reasonable life and achieving the performance it was meant to. This concept is not about using a cheap, low-quality material. Rather it is the management and economizing of resources such as implementation of work in phases or postponement of the finishing processes. Further, the building material and labor cost are reduced to between 65% and 70%. Thinner walls, less energy-consuming and environmental-friendly materials are used. Normally, the walls are constructed of concrete while the timber is used for the first floor. The surface finishes for the walls and floor make use of locally available resources.
The bedroom in this kind of development is usually situated on the first floor. The main aim of the project is to design the bedroom based on providing comfort. Since this is a low-traffic area, the floor needs to be healthy, warm and appealing. Wood is the best material for this room because of its affordability, environmental friendliness and natural beauty. The wood used for floor finishes has been known to improve the quality of air inside and thus the bedroom floor needs to have finished wood laid on concrete beams. This is wood that is coated to provide smooth finishing and durability of the floor. The next alternative to this would be jack arch floor that makes use of compressed earth blocks. The walls can best be made using burnt bricks that have been immersed in water for 24 hours. These provide warmth and save on cost. Another alternative would be masonry walls made of concrete which though strong are relatively cold.
The kitchen in this housing development has light traffic with high food and drink spillages. The recommendable floor for the kitchen is wood that is lightly sanded and recoated. These sheets of sanded wood are normally laid on concrete beams using adhesives. This is most suitable because of the ease of cleaning and ease of movement. The next alternative would be finished concrete. This has the advantage of easy cleaning but can cause falls in case of liquid spillage while the cost is higher than wood. The walls of the kitchen need to be built using concrete. This is because of its strength, less energy consumption and mortar saving. Bricks would be the alternative but they use high energy.
The shower rooms are characterized by water and light traffic. It is highly recommended that the floor and walls be made of ceramic tiles which are prepared from ceramic material and laid on the adhesive mixture and allowed to dry. This is because of their environmental friendliness, lesser costs and no adverse effects from water. They provide a beautiful finish that is easy to clean and maintain. Another alternative would be concrete tiles that are prepared from concrete and given smooth finishes. The disadvantage of this is the high cost involved.
Contractor’s offices
Office buildings act as symbols of financial, social and technological progress and show economic activity index. Office facilities and structures can improve productivity mainly through the entrance or working hall and boardroom. The design for this structure is integrated and focuses on achieving high performance. The main objectives of this project are: increasing flexibility and productivity, improving health, increasing the satisfaction of workers, and enhancing performance. The office entrance hall is characterized by medium or high traffic depending on the type of activities that take place in the office. This means that the floor has to be made of material that can withstand high resistance. The use of concrete tiled floor is the most recommended. This is done by laying tiles on concrete beams. The pre-stressed concrete beams provide strength to the floor while providing comfort. In addition, the smooth finish of the tiles is beautiful and easy to clean and maintain. This also ensures that the area maintains its uniqueness. The next best alternative for this kind of floor would be painted concrete floors. The pre-stressed concrete beams are finished smoothly and paint or other coating substances are applied. This allows for ease in cleaning due to the smooth nature. The disadvantage of this is that the paint wears out easily due to the traffic while the finish is not that beautiful and appealing as compared to tiles. The walls of the entrance hall are highly recommended to have wall tiles. The tiles are laid on the masonry walls while wet. They are then allowed to set and bond. The tiled wall allows the company to have customized tiles that are easy to maintain and are durable although more time is taken in laying the expensive tiles. The next alternative would be to plaster the wall to a smooth finish and then apply good coating such as paint. This has the disadvantage of wearing out easily but takes a shorter time to recoat.
The office boardroom is normally a light traffic luxurious area. It is where meetings and private delegations of the company are held. This area requires floor type as that of the entrance hall but in this case, soft furnishings of carpets are laid on the floor. This provides comfort, warmth and luxurious element. The alternative would be to have floor murals. The walls of the boardroom require smooth finishing of wall tiles due to the high quality and durability it possesses. However, wall plastering can be done with the application of high glossy paint to cover the wall and still give it a good finish.