· Type: Residence
· Location: Purbachal
· Completion Year: 2023
· Duration: 70 Days
· Architects: Shafinaz Sameen, Pallabi Dutta
· Engineers: Mohammad Abu Sadeque
· Area: 350 sqft.
· Materials: CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Block), Ferrocement, Glass
· Project Cost: 3200 USD
This project of HBRC integrates building technologies and materials to develop a self-sufficient coastal model house that is climate resilient, sustainable, and energy efficient. Given the geographical location of Bangladesh’s rural coastal areas, coupled with the heightened impact of climate change and frequent natural disasters like cyclones and salinity intrusion, these regions are particularly susceptible to calamities. Unfortunately, the existing houses in these areas lack the necessary resilience to withstand such disasters. Moreover, the construction materials used are not environmentally friendly, contributing significantly to CO2 emissions and demanding substantial energy resources. Additionally, the scarcity of drinking water in this region is exacerbated by salinity issues.
This project aims to be an adequate replacement for conventional semi-permanent structures by employing resilient, durable, low energy consuming, hygienic, and cost-effective alternative options. In addition, solar panels, a rainwater collection system, waste management system and a biogas plant are installed to build a self-sufficient model house.
In this project, community were engaged in order to train the locals for future replication in the very first stage. The use of clay burnt brick or reinforced concrete has been consciously avoided because of its non-resistance to salinity.
Thus the materials used for the construction are CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Block), Ferrocement and Concrete Hollow Block. Both construction blocks and Ferro cement elements were cured for specified period to increase strength and reduce water permeability. Used blocks were made at site by using locally made machineries and river dredged soil. Plinth of the houses were constructed first with retaining block wall, compacted soil and ferrocement floor on top keeping dowel bars staring from foundation. Load bearing walls are constructed using concrete blocks.
Ferrocement roof elements and lintel are made using steel forms and table vibrator. Ferrocement barrel vault shaped roof elements were placed on the top beam. Roof elements were than interconnected by using rich cement mortar and wire mesh. Then the vaulted roof perforation was made by concrete stabilized earth block.
Precast ferrocement door & window frame and shutter were than fitted and fixed. Transparent plastic sheets were used instead of glass for ventilation.
It is also environmentally sustainable because it uses building materials and technology with minimal embodied energy. As a result, there is less Green House Gas (GHG) emission and a significant improvement in indoor comfort and hygiene. In comparison to traditional buildings, this technology provides thermal comfort in the warm and monsoon Bangladeshi climate. Furthermore, stone which Bangladesh now imports from other countries to construct buildings, is no longer necessary with new technologies. Sand that Bangladesh has deposited in its riverbed to impede passage is the most common building material used in new construction. This project also has a very high potentiality for replication. Adoption of such appropriate technology will facilitate to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.
