Property Reporter
BULAWAYO-Based Astra Building Centre, the appointed distributor of Hydraform products in Zimbabwe, has unveiled a Hydraform technology-built house in the country’s second city. Astra is confident that the technology, which has been well-received within the construction industry as it significantly reduces the use of mortar, is set to redefine an industry that has for years been bedevilled by relentless shortages of cement.With the country’s current housing backlog estimated at over 1,5 million units Astra believes the Hdyraform building technology will certainly add value to efforts to reduce this backlog. Astra Building Centre believes in this technology which it says is the way forward for Zimbabwe.
The company’s products will be supplied by the South African-based Hydraform International, which manufactures block-making machines that produce interlocking blocks that are drystacked during construction, leading to less usage of mortar and substantially reducing costs.
The technology, currently used in over 60 countries in three continents worldwide, was invented in 1988.
In promoting Hydra-form products in Zimb-abwe Astra recently constructed a demo house in Emganwini Suburb of Bulawayo, utilising Hydraform technology.
This demonstration house was constructed in the hope that people within the construction industry and govern-ment, would be able to witness the Hydraform building technology first hand and discover that it is a great alternative to conventional building methods.
The Hydraform house is a beautiful house with an attractive finish.
This technology can also be used in youth empowerment projects. The block-making mach-ines are mobile and can be moved from site to site.
Astra also sells the machines and trains beneficiaries on maintenance, block-making and doing actual construction. The Hydra-form partners in SA are always on hand to give support.
Benefits
- Cost effective
- Unskilled labour
- Eco-friendly building blocks
- Thermal excellence
- High quality
- Simplicity
- Minimal mortar required.
Comments (0)
Show/Hide commentsWrite comment
Show/Hide comment form