Flat-pack kit home the answer to informal settlement fires

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The Square, a 2.7m2 x 2.7m2 home made of MagnaBoard, which has a zero flame spread and smoke development rating, making it ideal for homes in informal settlements.

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Dave Lindup, chief executive of Magnastruct, has been through a frustrating time, but he is ready to launch a product that will provide a solution for countless residents in informal settlements frequently ravaged by fire.

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His company produces the green building product, MagnaBoard, which is made from magnesium oxide. The breakthrough advantages of these boards are that they are 100 percent fire retardant, water impervious, mould and mildew resistant and the ideal building material for informal homes.

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Lindup has often witnessed the devastation, pain and loss from countless fires in informal settlements. Despite repeated attempts to convince local authorities to substitute fire retardant building materials, they frustratingly once again rehabilitate using the traditional zinc sheets and wood.

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This ongoing scenario prompted Lindup to research an affordable informal dwelling that can be made out of MagnaBoards and assembled by the occupants.

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Currently in the planning stage the dwelling will be called The Square. The 2.7m2 x 2.7m2 structure will be sold in kit form, which will include the roof, walls, floor, a window, a door and bolts and screws with instructions for assembly. The flat pack kit will retail for under R7 500, compared to a Wendy house which retails for around R18 000 – and doesn’t have the fire retardant benefits.

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“We are really excited as the dwelling will be able to be safe and secure when the owners are at work and although it is small, rooms can easily be added on as funds become available. A further advantage is MagnaBoard is great to paint on, so the owners can decorate the exterior,” says Lindup.

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“We are talking to a finance house for small loans for our customers and plan to launch later this year. We want to make it easy for anyone to assemble a safe warm starter home.”

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Lindup says magnesium oxide is superior in every category compared to traditional wood, gypsum and cement based products.

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“MagnaBoard has a zero flame spread and smoke development rating, a huge advantage considering that informal houses are generally built very close to each other, so fires can easily spread very rapidly from one to another,” says Lindup.

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“In a recent fire test held at an informal housing settlement in Pniel near Stellenbosch one of the homes was made out of MagnaBoard whereas the other shacks were built with conventional materials. When the fires were started the shacks made of conventional materials burnt, buckled and collapsed, whereas the fire in the informal house made of MagnaBoard could be contained and extinguished.”

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Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145

Cape Property owners go for green

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MagnaBoard are used internally and externally in homes at Franschoek Eco Village.

From the affluent Cape Town suburbs of Fresnaye and Newlands to Franschoek more and more property owners are choosing to build with MagnaBoard, says Dave Lindup chief executive of Magnastruct, the distributor of MagnaBoards.

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“MagnaBoards are made from magnesium oxide and provide a total solution for healthy affordable, durable and energy efficient buildings. One of the advantages of building with Magnaboards is the speed of construction, with many luxury homes taking far less time to complete,” says Lindup.

Other advantages of the product include superior insulation properties, and above average fire resistance – an important consideration given the increase in fires in built-up areas over the past few years.

Further benefits of these boards include being impervious to water and insect infestations, mould and mildew resistant, and excellent acoustic and thermal advantages. Being non toxic the boards can be used for interior walls as well as exterior applications.

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Lindup says: “Today’s property owners are very aware of their carbon footprints and carry out extensive research on sourcing of sustainable building materials. Over the past three years we have noted a huge increase in the number of architects choosing to use MagnaBoard for domestic and industrial applications.

“Because they are non-toxic and energy efficient, and construction is speedy they are ideal building materials for environmentally conscious property owners.”

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When Cape-based architects, SAOTA, recently extended their head office in Gardens they used a light steel frame clad with MagnaBoards.

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“For the extension of the third and fourth floors of the existing building we used a light steel frame. As part of our external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) we decided to clad the walls with 9mm MagnaBoards, which are impervious to water with excellent fire retardant properties. Erecting them is quick and easy, and the 200m2extension was completed in less than nine months, ” says Yvan Torannini, manager of AFCO Contracts, the main contractor on the project.

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Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145.

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Could this magnesium oxide-based material help put an end to rampant shack fires?

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The Cape continues to experience rampant shack fires that devastate those with property in the informal sector. Dave Lindup, managing director of Magnastruct, however, has come up with a green solution.

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“Fire is a serious hazard throughout South Africa in informal settlements and it is estimated that, on average, over the last five years there have been 10 ‘shack’ fires a day, with someone dying as a result every other day,” says Lindup whose Cape-based company manufactures boards designed to help prevent the spread of fires.

Magnaboards are made from magnesium oxide, which Lindup says is superior in every category compared to traditional wood, gypsum and cement-based products.

Zero-flame spread

“Magnaboard has a zero-flame spread and smoke development rating, a huge advantage considering that informal houses are generally built very close to each other, so fires can easily spread very rapidly from one to another,” says Lindup.

“In a fire test held at an informal housing settlement in Pniel near Stellenbosch, one of the homes was made out of Magnaboard while the other shacks were constructed with conventional materials. When the fires were started the shacks made of conventional materials burnt, buckled and collapsed, whereas the fire in the informal house made of Magnaboard could be contained and extinguished.”

Lindup says Magnaboard is a green recyclable product with many characteristics welcomed by the built industry.

“The fire retardant application has been a breakthrough for local government, business and NGOs so there is no excuse for not using fire retardant materials for building, particularly when it comes to informal housing,” says Lindup.

: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/493/170598.html

Published: February 14, 2018

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Eco friendly material used to build Hout Bay guest cottage

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The CUBE in Hout Bay.

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Set amongst tropical plants in a leafy avenue in Hout Bay is a cleverly designed eco friendly guest cottage, the CUBE, designed by architects Pietro Russo and Mirko of Ecomo Homes and Em.Ty Spaces.

The brief to the architects by the owners of the main house higher up on the sloping property, was to create a sophisticated and stylish green guest cottage. They wanted to ensure a feeling of luxury where guests could enjoy world class day to day functionality.

The architectes opted to build the exterior walls out of MagnaBoards, magnesium oxide boards that are now favoured by leading architects who specify sustainable building materials.

The open plan timber frame home has a modern, uncluttered lounge dining room and kitchen and one bedroom with a designer en suite bathroom. Floor to ceiling exterior wooden shutters provide security and protection from the elements, and a stylish deck opens off the bedroom.

Dave Lindup, chief executive of Magnastruct, the distributor of MagnaBoards, says one of the advantages of building with Magnaboards is the speed of construction.

“The CUBE project took less than 10 weeks to complete,” says Lindup.

Other advantages of the product include superior insulation properties, and above average fire resistance.

Call Dave  Lindup on 021 531 2145.

Published: November 1, 2017

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Energy efficient designer home sets new standards

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Archie Galant technical adviser at Magnastruct, Neil Hewitt of Surrey Holmes, and Dave Lindup managing director of Magnastruct outside the new home being built in L’Afrique Verte, an eco estate in Franschhoek.

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At L’Afrique Verte, an eco estate in Franschhoek, a new home has been built which is close to being off the grid.

Using a light steel frame the walls are made of MagnaBoards, the increasingly popular green building material manufactured from magnesium oxide.

“In addition to being environmentally friendly, these boards tick all the boxes for acoustics, are mould and mildew resistant, impervious to water and have an excellent fire retardant rating,” says Neil Hewitt of Surrey Holmes, developer of L’Afrique Verte.

Hewitt is passionate and knowledgeable about sustainable building. His experience is reflected in all the energy saving aspects of the home, such as solar power, double glazed windows, a grey water system, low energy lighting and gas heating – all the requirements for providing a green home while still enjoying a sophisticated lifestyle.

The exteriors of the modern house are painted in subtle shades of white and charcoal. The spacious entertainment patio has a built in braai and a designer plunge pool that requires no chemicals – Hewitt has designed a pathway of plants that continuously clean the water as it flows into the pool.

Dave Lindup managing director of Magnastruct, says.“ We were impressed with the level of detail the developer applied throughout the project and it shows in the quality of the finished product. We are sure this eco estate is destined to become the benchmark for any new builds in the area.”

Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145.

Published: September 6, 2017

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Cape Town International Conference Centre provides for worshippers

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Yvan Torannini operational manager for Afco with Archie Galant and Dave Lindup of MagnaBoard in the prayer room which is under construction at the CTICC East Expansion.

A Moslem prayer room is under construction at the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre ) East Expansion.

Situated on an upper level overlooking the bay the prayer room is clad in MagnaBoard, a building product considered to be technologically superior to traditional wood, gypsum and cement based products.

“Magnaboard is manufactured from magnesium oxide, so it has a zero flame spread and smoke development rating. It is also water resistant with great acoustic advantages, “says Archie Galant technical adviser at MagnaBoard.

There are two washrooms at the entrance to the prayer room which will be able to accommodate a large number of worshippers. Operational manager for Afco CTICC East, Yvan Torannini, says: “MagnaBoard was the ideal building product as it complies with the chief fire engineer’s requirement for a SABS approved two hour fire rating, We also used

MagnaBoards external jointing products to achieve a seamless finish.”

The CTICC East project is expected to be completed this year.

For more information on MagnaBoard products, call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145 or visit www.magnastruct.co.za.

http://www.sapropertynews.com/cape-town-international-conference-centre-provides-for-worshippers/

Published: June 28, 2017

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Happy community cosy in low cost housing development in spite of Cape’s wet and cold winter

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Homes at the Delft Symphony development in Delft have been built using
Magna Board, which has excellent fire retardant and insulating properties.

Winter is here, but the residents of the Delft Symphony development in Delft are cosy and warm,
thanks to their weatherproof homes.

The gable walls for the homes were built using MagnaBoard, an eco- friendly fire retardant building
material that provides exceptional insulation.

The subsidy housing project was a joint initiative between the National Department of Housing,
Western Cape Provincial Department of Housing and the City of Cape Town.

Delft Symphony is in the greater Delft area on the Cape Flats, to the east of the Cape Town
International Airport.

MagnaBoard managing director, Dave Lindup says: “Initially the community were very skeptical
about having their homes built out of these boards, but they soon appreciated the insulation and
warmth that the eco- friendly magnesium oxide boards provide.”
Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145.

16 March 2017

by PropertyWheel_GLP

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The completion of the Hermanus Oncology Centre situated in the new Hermanus Day Hospital will provide a much needed and appreciated service  for local Cancer patients.Previously they had to travel great distances to receive their treatment.

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The state-of-the-art  Medical Centre has been cladded with a unique Green building board MagnaBoard, an eco-friendly magnesium oxide board which is a technologically advanced building material that is superior in every category compared to traditional wood, gypsum and cement based products. Magnaboard is fire retardant and has a zero flame spread and smoke development rating,  in addition the boards  are  impermeable to mold and water and can be used for internal and external applications.

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Hermanus Medical & Oncology Village on the Corner of Church/De Goede Street houses a multiple of much needed medical facilities to serve the broader diverse communities of Hermanus and surrounds. These four main facilities are an Oncology Unit, Day Hospital, Subacute Hospital and Old Age Care facility. Each of these facilities is resembled in the pitched roof buildings housed on the four corners, each highlighted in a different colour for patients/public to clearly distinguish between these different disciplines.

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The built form serves as a transitional building between the open spaces of Erf 384 Hermanus, bordering the site to the north and the single/double storey residential buildings of Flower Street (to the west) and Church Street to the east and the 4Mstorey retirement home to the south.

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The big mass of the building is broken up into different smaller elements as articulated in the façade of the building in order to create a village effect as aptly reflected in the name: Hermanus Medical & Oncology Village. The functional rectangular layout of the buildings was used in order to create an economical structure, which houses the complex internal technical requirements of a state of the art facility. The Oncology radiation concrete bunker is housed in the southM eastern corner. The roof of this bunker is cladded in a stealthMlike, faceted metal sheets in order to reflect the concept of deflected radiation rays.

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The majority of the diverse South African demography prefers vibrant colours in their vernacular buildings. Colour is an important element in the Rainbow Nation of South African as reflected in the colour scheme of the national flag. As such, a multiple of brightly coloured facades are found in Mount Pleasant (gateway to Hermanus) and residential structures surrounding the site under discussion. The use of cladding on the exterior of the four blocks is a contemporary reference to similar cladding elements often used in beach house architecture in Hermanus.

The palette of the surrounding natural landscape: the Walker Bay whale sanctuary Marine Reserve; Hoy’s Kop and Fernkloof Nature Reserve Fynbos are characterised by a predominantly grey/blue/green background with pinpoints of vibrant colours. These colours are all reflected in the facades of the Hermanus Medical & Oncology Village in order to brighten up the lives of patients and visitors alike.

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25 October 2016

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Bellville Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt has had a facelift being clad with new building material, Magnaboard.

Leading hospital group Mediclinic recently showed its commitment to incorporating a strong eco conscious building philosophy by using sustainable building materials at its Bellville facility.

The Bellville Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt, one of the oldest private hospitals in the Western Cape was given a face lift, with the dated red brick exterior façade being cladded in Magnaboard, which was developed by Cape-based firm, Magnastruct.

“The boards are made of magnesium oxide, producing a technologically advanced building material that is superior compared to many more conventional building products,” says Magnastruct managing director, Dave Lindup.

“Magnaboard is completely recyclable, a proven fire retardant, impervious to water, mould and mildew resistant and a superb insulator during summer and winter. A further advantage is that building with the boards is cost effective as construction time is faster than with traditional materials, with limited waste and savings on energy.

“We are seeing a great increase in the demand for Magnaboards, as businesses commit to using eco friendly building materials. Our green Magnaboards have many characteristics that the built industry has welcomed.”

Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145.

23 August 2016

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Houses at Chiuba in Mozambique are being built of light steel frames cladded internally and externally with MagnaBoard, which is a proven fire retardant, impervious to water and mould, mildew resistant and a superb insulator for luxury and low cost buildings.

Cape-founded company Magnastruct is supplying material for the construction of an eco friendly development in Pemba, Mozambique.

“Magnastruct developed MagnaBoard, a green building dry walling and ceiling board that is made of magnesium oxide. It is completely recyclable, a proven fire retardant, impervious to water and mould and mildew resistant and a superb insulator during summer and winter,” says Yvan Torannini of Magnastruct.

“Working with local contractors we are building Chiuba, an eco friendly village in Mozambique consisting of hospitals, schools, shops, houses and a police station. The cost of the total village is in the region of US$ 77 million.

“There will be five villages built in total, and Chiuba is the first one. The buildings consist of light steel frames cladded internally and externally with MagnaBoard. Steel is 100 percent recyclable so light steel frames are ideally suited for the time efficient and eco-friendly construction of these villages.”

Torannini recently attended the Cape Construction Expo held at the CTICC earlier this month, where representatives from the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements spoke about the green RDP housing projects being planned for the province.

“They showed strong interest in the fire retardant and water impermeable qualities of our green building boards,” says Torannini.

“Conference delegates welcomed the affordable cost to build one-bedroom eco-friendly homes where the green building materials cost less than R200 000. There was also an acknowledgment in the time saving of erecting these houses and the low impact on the surrounding environment.”

16 February 2016

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This Fresnaye home was built using the steel frame method cladded with Magnaboard.

The latest trend for property investors is choosing designs that incorporate a strong eco conscious philosophy and sustainable natural materials.

The fact that steel is 100 percent recyclable has resulted in a huge demand for this product as a building material throughout South Africa, says Charl van Zyl chief executive of Silverline Group, a leading light steel frame company.

“Previously, the steel frames were externally cladded using either timber, fibre cement boards or Oriented Strand Board (OSB). However, we are now using Magnaboard, a green product made of magnesium oxide, which is completely recyclable. It is also a proven fire retardant, mould free and a superb insulator during summer and winter,” says van Zyl.

“Light steel frame construction is suited for the residential, commercial and institutional markets. The construction is cost effective with a limited wastage of about 2 percent on site compared to the 30 percent wastage in conventional building methods. An additional benefit is that construction time is faster than traditional building methods and this ensures early occupation and there is up to a 40 percent saving on electricity.

“We are very impressed with the sustainability of Magnaboard and already this year we have secured 30 new projects where these boards will be used,” says van Zyl.

24 November  2015

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SAFE AS HOUSES: The fire in the informal house made from Magnaboard could be easily contained and extinguished.This year once again the Cape experienced devastating winter shack fires and now the dry summer fire season has arrived the situation is bound to get worse.

“Fire is a serious hazard in shack settlements and it is estimated that on average over the last five years there have been 10 shack fires a day with someone dying as a result every other day,” says Dave Lindup, managing director of Magnastruct, a Cape-based manufacturer of boards designed to help prevent the spread of fires.

Magnaboards are made from magnesium oxide, which Lindup says is superior in every category compared to traditional wood, gypsum and cement based products.

“Magnaboard has a zero flame spread and smoke development rating, a huge advantage considering that informal houses are generally built very close to each other, so fires can easily spread very rapidly from one to another,” says Lindup.

“In a recent fire test held at an informal housing settlement in Pniel near Stellenbosch one of the homes was made out of Magnaboard while the other shacks were constructed with conventional materials. When the fires were started the shacks made of conventional materials burnt, buckled and collapsed, whereas the fire in the informal house made of Magnaboard could be contained and extinguished.”

Lindup says Magnaboard is a green recyclable product with many characteristics welcomed by the built industry.

“The fire retardant application has been a breakthrough for local government, business and NGOs so there is no excuse for not using fire retardant materials for building, particularly when it comes to informal housing,” says Lindup.

Call Dave Lindup on 021 531 2145.