Affordable Earth Housing

Product Description

The Affordable Earth Housing, designed by Sharon Davis Design & Rwanda Village Enterprises, consists of a prototype four-bedroom single family house based both on an efficient design and a community-labor construction process, using locally available materials and handmade methodologies, including Compressed Earth Blocks. This prototype house was specifically design for the conditions in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$10,000.00

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Sharon Davis Design & Rwanda Village Enterprises

Manufacturing/Building Method

The main building method of this house include rammed earth foundations, load bearing walls made of adobe blocks, timber frame roofing structure, rammed earth floor, and ceramic tiles roof. According to the designer, earth based construction is beneficial for its efficiency and low-cost.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

The information obtained does not specify the user provision model.

Distributions to Date Status

95 units housing development on a 13 hectare site

Unique Design (Yes/No)

Intended number of occupants (#)

Duration of construction (days)

Unknown

Footprint area (m²)

110

Number of storeys

Material composition

Local soils, cement, concrete, and timber.

Flammable flash point temperature (ºC)

Unknown

Thermal insulating capacity (m²*K/W)

The ferrocement roof is characterized by a low heat gain , and will not transmit heat in the way a typical tin roof will.

Maximum wind speed (km/h)

Unknown

Structural Occupancy Category

Unknown

Seismic Design Category

Earthquake safe

Suitable Climates

Adaptable to various site conditions and climatic regions

Design Specifications

Material used in the construction of the house include:

Foundations: mortared, locally-quarried stone
Floors: cast concrete slabs
Walls: handmade compressed earth blocks using local soils, finished with earthen plaster
Screen: hand-woven eucalyptus
Roof framing: timber
Roofing: Ruliba clay tiles

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Manufacturer

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designer specified the following performance targets:

Economy: Supply chain innovation and local capacity building
Environment: Community enhancement and environmental sustainability
Growth: Large scaled delivery program and adaptive model

Vetted Performance Status

No testing has been completed

Safety

To achieve earthquake safety standards, the standard earth block can be modified to allow for rebar. Compost Toilet provides a water-free, clean, safe, and economical way to manage waste and add to agricultural output

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

None

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

None