The Localtalks event, “Conversations with Greens,” held in Kenya, highlighted the importance of green prefab homes in accelerating growth without harming the planet.
The event featured keynote speakers Wolf Bierens, Co-founder and CEO of Easy Housing, Felix Holland, Director and Principal Architect of Localworks, and , who shared their expertise on green prefab homes at the Localtalks event, Conversations with Greens.
The event started with Nischal Pradhan describing how Base Innovation Center utilized bamboo for constructing homes across the Philippines. The construction methodology involves a cement-bamboo frame technology, featuring vertical bamboo studs on a raised concrete foundation, joined by engineered connections and covered with flattened bamboo panels for thermal comfort.
About – BASE Innovation Center (BIC) is a research and testing center for bamboo construction and other alternative building materials in Manila, Philippines. So far, it has completed more than 800 green prefab homes across the country.
The second speaker Wolf Bierens discussed the milestones Easy Housing achieved with prefab timber, delivering over 31 homes in Uganda. According to him, the timbers which are abundant in the country, are first assembled in the workshop. The frames are then transported to site for further installations and finishing.
Lastly, Director and Prinicipal Architect of LocalWorks, Felix Holland, introduced a prefab system that combines locally sourced materials to build Ecoprefab schools in Uganda. The classrooms feature lightweight steel frames, treated timber infill panels, and earth-pigmented lime plaster. This design enables easy remodeling with minimal expenses.
Completion of construction under these prefab systems typically takes two to four weeks, depending on the site. The speed of construction, together with the modularity, and scalability of the designs offer possible solutions to housing shortage. However, challenges like humidity, fire outbreaks, and insect resistance are yet to be fully resolved.
Notwithstanding, the Localtalk event demonstrated the potential of green prefab homes to sustainable development of rural and urban space with practical case studies in Uganda and the Philippines.
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