An alternative approach to construction – Local project

By Arné Gunter at Earthworld

An alternative approach to constructing buildings – a simpler and more efficient way to build.

The advantages extend to building at small scale so that anyone can construct their home, shop or building using only a few basic tools and minimal labour.

A complete plywood structural system – designed in detail and modelled 3-dimensionally in the architect’s office – then sent to CNC (computer numerical control) machines for cutting and manufacturing off site in components, was then rapidly assembled on site.

The construction idea for Ko-Spaza has been in development for more than a year. The idea stemmed from another project in our ‘R&D department’ and when the Ko-Spaza project presented itself, we saw the opportunity to use this project to showcase our design.

From prototyping stage to construction only took a few days. This is a breakdown of how the construction process played out:

Design

Design of building system and components.

“We saw the opportunity to use this project to showcase our design.”

Prototype build of components (as this was a first-time project with this system only a few elements were constructed to see if the system components fit and where improvements can be made).

Design development from prototype build (revision of components to improve system).

Detail cutting layouts for components.

Factory off-site

Cutting of component elements (two days).

Assembly of elements to make components (two days).

Transport to site (the whole spaza shop unit fit on the back of a trailer – ‘small scale’ thinking).

On-site build

Unpacking of all elements into component categories.

Set out of unit on site.

Build structure with components in sequence (1.5 days).

Flashings and cladding – onsite cutting and fixing
(1.5 days).

Services – plumbing and electrical.

The notion of small-scale alternative construction comes from seeing the latent talent that is found in our local communities, where people are pivotal to the success. Using this small-scale concept, we developed a system that could be easily constructed and assembled by locals, using basic tools and labour. In this process of collaboration there is a transfer of knowledge and skill which can be honed to create small businesses within the community, creating a building ecosystem where parts can be manufactured off-site and assembly on-site by different people.

From the client:

The architects surprised us with a new and novel idea to approach the construction of our spaza shop. We wanted a solution that allowed for quick assembly to enable us to open and operate as soon as possible. Site disturbance was minimal, we got a lot of curious questions during the four-day construction period, which set the scene for our busy opening day. The system developed allowed for effortless assembly without any major hiccups, which will allow us to set up even more similar shops in the near future.

 

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