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    Amaia: Quality, affordable homes for more FilipinosYouve always nurtured this one dream.

    So, you get a college degree, get a job (and try to get a promotion), and maybe get married. Through life's harsh

    realities, you've kept this dream alive: owning your own home without breaking the bank - a home that may be low in

    cost but is high in quality, style, and modern-day comforts.

    Now, you can make your dream come true with Amaia, Ayala Land's first foray in the economic housing market,

    where the greater number of least-served Filipinos belong. Studies show that the low-income market makes up about

    90 percent of the total demand for housing in the country. There's a shortage of 3.8M housing in the Philippines,

    primarily in the socialized and low-cost segment, which is mostly ignored by major property developers. And then

    came Amaia which changed the way we look at low-income housing, backed up by Ayala Land's untainted reputation

    for quality. As the economic housing arm of Ayala Land, Amaia hopes to uplift the living standards of many more

    Filipino households.

    A Financing Scheme You'll Love From Pag-Ibig

    Home sweet Amaia home! The sweeter news is that the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig), the

    government's leading home finance institution, has turned over P56.2M for the first batch of home borrowers for the

    first quarter and about P49M for the second quarter. Pag-Ibig is considered the most affordable and readily available

    home financing scheme in the country.

    "Pag-Ibig has the lowest interest rates and the longest payment terms," says Wilborn Famatigan, Pag-Ibig sales

    administration head. "And all employees can avail themselves of the facilities as long as they're members of Pag-

    Ibig."

    By the end of 2011, Amaia expects to receive a total of about P200M funding commitment line from Pag-Ibig. That

    means 226 families can look forward to being homeowners of an Ayala Land property.

    Amaia Land has entered into a Window 1 partnership with Pag-Ibig so that should the home buyer default on

    payments, Amaia will buy back the property. The mere fact that you're dealing with an Ayala subsidiary makes you

    feel more secure.

    How affordable is this financing scheme?

    Home sweet Amaia: Young families find a stylish starter home at Amaia.

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    "You have the option to pay five percent of the selling price within six months, the balance either through Pag-Ibig or

    bank financing," Famatigan points out. "Or you can put a 10-percent down payment payable in 12 months, the

    balance either through Pag-Ibig or bank financing. The longest payment term is 30 years and monthly amortization is

    P4,000 plus."

    There are five financing schemes to choose from: cash payment, deferred payment, in-house financing, bankfinancing, and Pag-Ibig financing.

    With Amaia, Ayala Land, the country's premier real estate developer, takes a leap of faith and ventures into

    affordable economic housing. How affordable is affordable? Amaia's house-and-lot packages are affordably priced

    from P600,000 to P1,250,000. It is targeting to provide 10,000 units for 2011 and 15,000 for 2012.

    Affordable Style & Quality

    The target markets for these stylish starter homes are the hardworking middle-class Filipinos, the young

    professionals holding starting positions in business districts across the country, the start-up families who are first-time

    home buyers.

    "Our market profile includes young couples with a household income of P30,000 to P50,000; newlyweds who are

    building their homes for the first time; the OFWs or their dependents who are fortunate to have the chance to avail

    themselves of a reasonably priced project by a high-end developer."

    With the same quality standards and service Ayala Land has always been known for, Amaia offers home buyers the

    opportunity to own an Ayala Land property. Picture an environment-friendly community with lots of space devoted to

    greenery. Amaia aims to allot at least 3.5 percent of its total property for parks and open spaces. A welcome change,

    indeed, for urban dwellers who now don't have to live in a box in a poorly planned, polluted, and congested

    community.

    Amaia is kid-friendly, too, and ideal for young families as it provides venues for shared experiences - think Village

    Patio with a swimming pool, basketball court, playground, and courtyards called Patio Greens.

    Living Your Dream

    And now, this brooding question: How safe or secure is the neighborhood?

    Living in an Amaia community is like living in upscale communities known for safety and security like Forbes Park and

    Dasmarias Village in Makati. Every Amaia Scapes community is managed by the property management arm of

    Ayala Land, Ayala Property Management Corporation (APMC). Each development will be bordered by a perimeter

    fence. There are guarded entrances/exits. Residents and guests can count on the security guards, 24/7.

    All utilities, like water, power, road networks, will be under the watchful eye of APMC. Residents will receive the same

    management expertise of this group.

    Accessibility is a big plus, too, as Amaia developments are strategically located within city limits, within major

    commercial/business hubs for easy access and convenience. If not, they are very accessible via public transport and

    major highways.

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    One Amaia resident puts it pat: "Malapit sa lahat (accessible), may dating (a property you'll be proud of), napakadali

    (easy and affordable payment schemes), dekalidad (big on quality), paangat ang buhay (better lifestyle)."

    Surely, life can't get better than this.

    The Phi l ippine StarBy: Ching M. Alano

    25 June 2011

    http://www.amaialand.com/project_updates.php?id=3400

    Invest in low-cost housing

    9

    -AA

    +A

    ByKatlene O. Cacho

    Tuesday, August 7, 2012

    ASIDE from building high-end residential projects, real estate developers should also invest in low-cost housing projects to

    prevent a real estate bubble, an economist said Friday.

    Winston Conrad Padojinog, senior economist and dean of the School of Management at the University of Asia & the Pacific

    (UA&P) warned a real estate bubble may happen if developers will continue building high-end residential projects without

    serving the huge demand on socialized and low-cost housing.

    There is no glut yet but people are buying units not out of need but because of other purposes, like investment. It is important for

    developers to look into underserved markets so theyll be assured of sustained demand said Padojinog.

    Padojinog was one of the speakers during the UA&P Strategic Business Economic Program (SBEP) hosted by the UA&P/SBEP-

    Cebu Alumni Association in partnership with the Cebu Business Club in Marco Polo Hotel Cebu last Friday.

    He said buying more properties for other purposes is prone to speculation, which pushes property prices up. Padojinog said there

    is already an oversupply in certain property segments, specifically in the middle to high-end markets.

    Padojinog said that in order to avoid a bubble or asset inflation, the industry needs to address an underserved market.

    The country still has a huge housing backlog that needs to be addressed, said Padojinog.

    He said Cebus housing backlog is still 200,000 units. Prices of socialized to low-cost housing range from P400,000 to P3

    million.

    Cebu Landmasters president and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III supported Padojinogs observation, saying there is

    opportunity in the middle, low and socialized housing segments.

    He said his company is building residential projects that cater to the demand of the low income market segment. He also said a

    real estate bubble is nowhere in sight in our country.

    http://www.amaialand.com/project_updates.php?id=3400http://www.amaialand.com/project_updates.php?id=3400http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307http://www.sunstar.com.ph/taxonomy/term/567http://www.sunstar.com.ph/taxonomy/term/567http://www.sunstar.com.ph/taxonomy/term/567http://www.sunstar.com.ph/taxonomy/term/567http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307http://www.amaialand.com/project_updates.php?id=3400
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    It would be very difficult for developers to proceed on a project where the market is untested. If there is a slowing down o f high-

    end development, it is with such realization that the demand of such products is waning, Soberano said in a text message

    yesterday.

    Padojinog also urged banks to extend loans to mainstream market or to consumers who can afford to borrow up to P3 million in

    residential loans.

    The BSP earlier reported that the exposure of the banking industry to the real estate sector reached its highest level at the end of

    the first quarter due mainly to record-high loans extended by banks to support purchases of residential and commercial real

    properties.

    Outstanding real estate loans extended by thrift and universal and commercial banks amounted to P524 billion. This was 21

    percent up from P433.05 billion as of the same period last year.

    The BSP said the demand for real properties is being supported by the continued increase in remittances from overseas Filipinos.

    Supply of credit is also robust because banks remain awash with cash.

    http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307

    Low-Income Housing ThatAnyone Would Love ToLive InHousing for the poor doesnt need to be horrible. The Richardson

    apartments in San Francisco are offering up high-class digs in the hopes

    of helping to lift its residents out of poverty.16 CommentsinShare

    Low-income housing generally isnt all that nice; stories like this about single-room

    occupancy buildings (SROs) with infestations, leaking pipes, and overflowing toilets arent

    uncommon. Thats starting to change, however, now that cities are realizing that quality low-

    income housing can provide a stepping stone to stability for residents. In San Franciscos

    Hayes Valley neighborhood, the recently completed Richardson Apartments provide

    formerly homeless residents (many with physical and mental disabilities) with beautiful living

    spaces and social services.

    http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#commentshttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Leaky-smelly-room-in-a-San-Francisco-SRO-1-000-3236573.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Leaky-smelly-room-in-a-San-Francisco-SRO-1-000-3236573.phphttp://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#commentshttp://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/08/07/invest-low-cost-housing-236307
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    The SRO, a project ofDavid Baker and Partners Architects, is part of a larger neighborhood

    redevelopment. After the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco, a freeway that ran through the

    city became structurally unstable and collapsed. Now, decades later, projects like the

    Richardson Apartments are popping up below the site of the former freeway. The

    Richardson building was completed in September 2011.

    The 120-unit, five-story building is the kind of place that most city-dwellers would love to live

    in: It features sustainably harvested wood (including redwood and elm), a landscaped

    courtyard, a green roof, sunshades outside the apartment windows, solar hot water heating,

    solar panels, intelligent lighting controls, and low-VOC paints. The apartments also have

    amenities tailored to the population, including abuse-resistant drywall and cabinets, grab

    bars everywhere, and wheelchair-accessible showers. The building doesnt have car

    parking, but it does have parking for bikes--not that tenants would be likely to have a vehicle

    or even need one in this transit-rich neighborhood.

    With an average of 300 square feet per apartment, the living spaces in the building arent

    huge. But "all the things a formerly homeless person would need are right on site," explains

    Amit Price Patel, the project architect. That includes a counseling center, a medical suite, a

    community room, and a residents lounge. There are also retail spaces on the ground floor:

    http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/117/Richardson%20Apartments.html#project_detailshttp://www.oewd.org/Development_Projects-Market_Octavia_Housing.aspxhttp://www.oewd.org/Development_Projects-Market_Octavia_Housing.aspxhttp://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/117/Richardson%20Apartments.html#project_details
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    a Vietnamese sandwich shop, a picture frame shop, and most importantly for residents,

    a bakery and cafe that provides a "paid learning experience" for people who are disabled

    and homeless or at risk of becoming so.

    The apartments are affordable for all who live there--residents pay 30% of their income as

    rent, up to a maximum of $870. And the building is saving money for the city, too. The 120

    apartment residents used $2.4 million in city and medical services in the year before moving

    in. Its a cost that is being dramatically cut with the onsite medical clinic.

    Its not easy to get a spot in the Richardson Apartments; tenants are screened for violent

    tendencies, and if they make the grade, theyre put on a long list. The ones who get in love

    it. "Theyre extremely appreciative and really happy," says Patel. "They feel lucky."

    The Richardson Apartments arent one of a kind. San Francisco is in the process of

    developing a similar 120-unit building, and New York City has an array of quality low-

    income housing.

    The situation is still dire for the many homeless and poor city residents who cant snag a

    spot in these places, however. Theres still a long way to go.

    http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#1

    http://sustainablefoodnews.com/story.php?news_id=16834http://www.chpc.net/dnld/RIchardsonApts_GREEN_021012_final.pdfhttp://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/best-new-york-city-affordable-housing-article-1.1163995http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#1http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#1http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680603/low-income-housing-that-anyone-would-love-to-live-in#1http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/best-new-york-city-affordable-housing-article-1.1163995http://www.chpc.net/dnld/RIchardsonApts_GREEN_021012_final.pdfhttp://sustainablefoodnews.com/story.php?news_id=16834
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    Affordable HousingWe believe that we can make a tremendous difference by helping to build affordablehousing and better, more modern, and durable community infrastructure such as roadsand sidewalks, schools, hospitals, parks, and other public spaces.

    CEMEXs housing strategy is designed to address the significant housing deficits in developing countries, chiefly

    Mexico and the countries of South and Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia. Our goal is to demolish building

    and development paradigms that limit the affordability of home ownership for low-income families by establishing

    cooperative relationships among low income communities, government agencies, developers, and the financial

    sector.

    Working with communities

    CEMEXs low-income housing strategy is based on the notion that lower-income people are capable of paying for

    their own homes. Through our financing programs, including private microfinance, we enable low-income individuals

    and communities to buy building materials on favorable terms as a step toward homeownership. CEMEX then

    provides training programs, equipment, technology, and our own expertise to help customers build homes,

    businesses, and stronger communities.

    Working with developers

    CEMEX works hand-in-hand with private developers to bring needed resources, technology, and know-how to the

    development of low income housing. Where public policies facilitate financing to low income home buyerssuch as

    Mexico and Colombiadevelopers have shown avid interest in the low-income segment of the housing market. Their

    support has helped to significantly boost the supply of housing. More financing is needed, however, in order for small

    and medium-sized developers to make further progress.

    To encourage developers to build more and better housing, we provide support through the CEMEX Vivenda

    initiative. Through this partnership we provide assessment, expertise, and introduce construction systems and

    financial programs that benefit both the developer and the end-user, promoting the building of more sustainable

    communities and more affordable housing that offer a higher quality of life. As of today, the CEMEX Vivienda initiative

    has supported developers construction of approximately 8,000 houses throughout Latin America.

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    http://www.cemex.com/SustainableDevelopment/AffordableHousing.aspx

    Generally, most people who deal with low-cost housing will try to convince you to use indigenous

    materials. At first sight, that sounds quite logical, but when you try to equip that house according to

    today s life style, you ll get in trouble. Just imagine trying to install electrical installation in a house

    made of rock or palm leaves. So maybe we should look for other options.

    Case 1: This is one system I found looks pretty appropriate for that purpose to me. You basically

    shape the house out of Styrofoam (eps = expanded polystyrene foam) blocks and cover everything

    with concrete. Ok, it s not quite that simple, but basically what it is about.

    After having all the underground piping in place, you pour the slab. If you wish, look at the mix

    mentioned in Case 2 (below) and use it for this slab, to achieve some thermal insulation.

    Now you take your eps blocks, probably about 10 cm thick, and practically build your house with

    them. If the blocks are not tall enough, you can glue them together with diluted paper glue. And if the

    panels are too tall, it s easy to cut them. Even the roof, slightly slanted, can be made this way.

    After that you make all the cut-outs for doors and windows, and cut ruts for the electrical andhydraulic installation in the walls. Wherever you want to install a box for a switch, etc., cut out the

    hole, put the box in place with some cement, and temporarily fill it with paper.

    In a similar fashion prepare the places where you will have water faucets in the wall, or want to hang

    kitchen cabinets to it. In fact, in this case you will have to anchor the load bearing area heavily to the

    other side of the wall.

    Now you wrap all the walls with at least two layers of chicken wire, inside and out. About every 20 cm

    horizontally and vertically push a piece of baling wire through the foam and bend it over the chicken

    wire, to firmly hold it in place. The chicken wire should hardly make any contact with the foam.

    For that you either place pebbles between the wire mesh and the foam, or you can get plans for amachine that makes wavy chicken wire from [email protected]. As this guy only charges a

    nominal fee and doesn t do this for money, I guess it s ok to include his e-mail address here.

    Now you have to prepare a concrete slurry to shoot onto your walls. There are basically two types

    of equipment for that: gunnite and shotcrete. The difference is mostly if the water is added to the mix

    and then applied, or if the dry mix receives the water at the nozzle.

    There are many appropriate mixes for this purpose, and if you go to the archives of ferrocement.org

    (a free-of-cost discussion list) you ll find many ideas. Look for a mix that includes sharp sand, fly ash

    and fiber.

    This house should be one story high only, and therefore 3 cm thickness of concrete should be enough,though of course you ll have to check the details with an engineer or architect

    As you go shooting the concrete, somebody else with spread it out and flatten it with a trowel. Let

    it rest for a month, and then you can add fake brick, flag stone and any other kind of material to make

    the house look better. In the worst case, just paint it.

    Case 2: Now, in some countries you ll find that eps is quite expensive. In this case look for eps trash.

    Many stores have a big problem, needing to throw away huge quantities of eps stemming from the

    http://www.cemex.com/SustainableDevelopment/AffordableHousing.aspxhttp://www.cemex.com/SustainableDevelopment/AffordableHousing.aspxhttp://www.cemex.com/SustainableDevelopment/AffordableHousing.aspx
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    packaging material for radios, TVs, etc. Pick it up; it s gold for you!

    Try to find a burr mill or anything that rips the eps chunks into little pieces, without creating too much

    dust. When you feel you have enough for the volume of your walls, prepare some molds to shape

    blocks of a suitable size.

    Prepare a little of the same mix as above (SHARP sand is crucial for this), add a little dish detergent(to get rid of the surface tension of the water) and add somewhat more than the same amount of eps

    by volume. Of course you should consult a building professional for this, too, and try a few different

    mix designs.

    Make a few blocks a day, until you have enough for your house. Then build your house like with

    ordinary cement (cinder) blocks. The roof can be made with approximately the same mix design, but

    also here you would have to make a few test mixes and consult a professional. And you can finish the

    house the same way as above.

    Case 3: There is an even cheaper way to build your house! Get a huge old top-loading washing

    machine and fill it half way with water. Now start the machine and slowly, very slowly add paper. As it

    dissolves it soaks up water and becomes thick. So make sure you don t add too much paper.

    Now add a little dish detergent again, a small shovel of cement, two shovels of sharp sand, and mix

    for 2-3 minutes. Make tests with different mixes, and then proceed to produce enough blocks for the

    whole house.

    Be careful not to move, vibrate or shake these blocks for at least three weeks, and cast them on a

    totally flat and sandy surface, so the excess water can run off. In fact, as these blocks are very light,

    you might want to produce narrow full-height panels.

    In any of these three cases you can build high-quality, insulated houses if you don t take any

    shortcuts and do consult a professional who is interested in modern construction systems. - If you are

    really interested in building a house like this, I can provide you with more in-depth information.

    http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost

    _housing.htm

    Another Low-Cost Building Technology for the Poor Explored

    http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost_housing.htmhttp://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost_housing.htmhttp://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost_housing.htmhttp://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost_housing.htmhttp://resources.alibaba.com/topic/184499/Three_examples_of_materials_and_systems_for_low_cost_housing.htm
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    In the aim to provide decent and affordable housing for the poor, Homeless Peoples

    Federation Philippines Inc. (HPFPI) and the Philippine Action for Community-led

    Shelter Initiatives Inc. (PACSII) together with the Technical Assistance Movementfor People and Environment, Inc. (TAMPEI) are continuously looking for and

    applying alternative building technologies like the Interlocking Compressed Earth

    Blocks (ICEB) to various CLIFF housing project initiatives of the federation

    nationwide.

    Last February 8, 2011 (Tuesday), community leaders and technical assistants of the

    Federation from NCR, Iloilo and Cebu had a site visit in First Home Subdivision in

    Navais, Mandurriao, Iloilo City to explore and learn from another low-cost building

    technology. The activity was facilitated by Engr. Joseph Asturias of SalvacionInfrastructure and Development Corporation (SIDC) with office-based in Negros

    Occidental in collaboration with Jockin Arputham, President of Slum Dwellers

    International (SDI), together with an Indian community engineer.

    https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QZv8MRrmv_Q/TWinZO_9heI/AAAAAAAAALY/LuS2n6BCaAA/s1600/DSC06812.jpg
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    This alternative building material is calledPlaswall, was introduced as one of the

    recent building technologies developed by Sterling Construction and Development

    Corporation (SCDC). Plaswall is made of two cement board and spacers (a hollowpermanent concrete formwork) which should be filled with concrete (mixture of sand,

    water and cement). It is completely a load bearing wall with complete rendered finish

    which can be modified according to the shape of your choice or depending on your

    structural design. It is designed to carry loads such as beams and slabs and can also

    be a substitute for columns. It has faster speed of installation and requires significantly

    lower skilled labor to build high quality concrete homes and buildings at a shorter

    construction period.

    During a short discussion about the building technology, some local architects

    working with the Federation found the material quiet expensive for low-cost housing

    in Philippine context. They reasoned out that the most expensive part of housing

    construction using plaswall is the filling-in of concrete mixture on its hollow part.

    https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D_z6XFV3_mw/TWin2yI834I/AAAAAAAAALg/NkOMLYSfSJY/s1600/DSC06796.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qv4lGdt_RxE/TWinyYnbWuI/AAAAAAAAALc/xU31vEIEHPs/s1600/DSC06794.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D_z6XFV3_mw/TWin2yI834I/AAAAAAAAALg/NkOMLYSfSJY/s1600/DSC06796.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qv4lGdt_RxE/TWinyYnbWuI/AAAAAAAAALc/xU31vEIEHPs/s1600/DSC06794.jpg
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    On the contrary, Jockin Arputham, SDI president showed great interest to adopt this

    kind of technology in Kenya where CLIFF housing is present and quiet expensive. He

    encouraged HPFPI-PACSII and TAMPEI to study the building technology and find

    means on how to make useful for the poor.

    Dont look at the monetary value of the building technology but focus on how to

    make the material more affordable for the poor, Arputham stressed out.

    http://homelessvisayas.blogspot.com/2011/02/exploring-alternative-building.html

    Question

    Can any one suggest cost effective materials for low cost housing?

    For example in water supply and sewage system.

    Mar 4, 2012

    TOPICS

    Civil Engineering

    Share

    1/0 26 ANSWERS 1630 VIEWS

    ALL ANSWERS (26)

    Praveen K C Anna University, Chennai

    various waste products from big industries has been converted into useful building materials which

    can be used for housing construction, it solving the problem of disposal on the one hand and

    providing better construction material at low cost on the other hand. Similarly some agricultural

    wastes (as rice husk) have also been converted into building materials, which are very much useful

    during reconstruction phase as low cost building materials. You may use this material for your water

    system.

    http://homelessvisayas.blogspot.com/2011/02/exploring-alternative-building.htmlhttp://homelessvisayas.blogspot.com/2011/02/exploring-alternative-building.htmlhttp://www.researchgate.net/topics/http://www.researchgate.net/topic/civil_engineering/?ev=tp_pst_dtl_xkeyhttp://www.researchgate.net/topic/civil_engineering/?ev=tp_pst_dtl_xkeyhttp://www.researchgate.net/profile/Praveen_K_C2/http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Praveen_K_C2/http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Praveen_K_C2/http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Praveen_K_C2/http://www.researchgate.net/topic/civil_engineering/?ev=tp_pst_dtl_xkeyhttp://www.researchgate.net/topics/http://homelessvisayas.blogspot.com/2011/02/exploring-alternative-building.html
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    Mar 5, 2012

    Opeyemi Joshua Covenant University Ota Ogun State, Nigeria

    Look at hydrafoam interlocking bricks with less technical skill and made from abundant laterite

    though mostly stabilised with cement

    Mar 5, 2012

    Grzegorz Ginda University of Bielsko-Biala

    Please, take a look at this construction technology:

    http://www.lstech-homes.com/

    It is based on novative and reliable materials.

    It is intended for quick, easy and rather cheap construction of (even not so small) buildings.

    Mar 6, 2012

    Nallaval Balaji Indian Institute of Science

    If you really want to know the cost effective and low carbon materials for low cost housing. Plz attend

    the workshop conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc, Bangalore ."Energy

    Efficient Buildings Workshop Series on Low Carbon Materials and Building Systems" .

    Mar 6, 2012

    Sridhar Dulipeta Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

    Soil cement blocks with precast roofing would be cost effective in mass low cost housing

    Mar 7, 2012

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    Naresh Naresh Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad

    Thank 4r all giving the rply

    Mar 8, 2012

    Amritesh Bhaskar Dayananda Sagar Institutions

    use of puzzolanas instead of cement saves lots of cost, though dis method is nt popular in india

    Mar 10, 2012

    Opeyemi Joshua Covenant University Ota Ogun State, Nigeria

    I might not have materials to suggest to you but respond to these questions.

    Where is your location? what major industrial waste is being generated in your location? what

    materials are abundant in your location? look for how to introduce the above answers into building

    and you might have a lower cost housing.

    Look also into hydraform blocks (stabilised laterite)

    Mar 13, 2012

    Premith Satish Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University

    Opeyemi Joshua is rite.... the cheapest material which is best for a low cost construction comes from

    the construction site itself... find out which ever material is easily available to you and add up the

    cost of getting it transported to the site.. which i guess will heavily vary in the overall cost ofconstruction.

    plus if it is a local material the local labor will be able to use it much more easily which will decrease

    the duration of construction, which will in-turn save to the construction cost of the project.

    Mar 13, 2012

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    Naresh Naresh Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad

    Thanku guys for u r valuable rplys ...............

    Im gng on that work .....

    Mar 15, 2012

    Vivek Manekar Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology

    Paste of gunny bags, mica and lime can replace cement. Even fly ash can be used to replace the

    cement products.

    Mar 19, 2012

    Maina Mwega Kenya Polytechnic University College

    Any day I'd go for stabilized interlocking soil blocks.

    India is a major manufacturer of the requisite equipment.

    Mar 20, 2012

    Dhananjay Patil Rajarambapu Institute Of Technology

    Have u tried finding literature on "Bamboo" as a construction material, check out

    Paper-Crete can also be used for walling system for low cost housing

    Mar 28, 2012

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    Why don't use a material we actually do not need? Like rubbish? There would be some non

    recyclable materials or a mix of them that can have appreciated mechanical properties. For example

    if we could compress non recyclable residuals with a kind of bonding material maybe a strong brick

    can be generated! And there will be no need of digging to bury all this trash...

    (used tires are recyclable??

    Mar 29, 2012

    Mamdouh Donia Ain Shams University

    Use Aerated Concrete tech. such as Siporex blocks or wall bearing structures.

    Apr 3, 2012

    Subodh Prakash Agrawal Central Building Research Institute

    Availability of low cost material is limited. However, the construction cost may be reduced

    substantially by using prefabricated building elements such as walling panels, beams, roofing

    panels, pre-cast stairs, stone-cement blocks, demolition waste-cement blocks and tiles etc. This will

    reduce the use of supporting infrastructure a lot during construction.

    Apr 10, 2012

    Yee Loon Lee Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

    Kuikwall (www.lowcarbon.my)

    Apr 21, 2012

    Suchat Tamjaijitr Khon Kaen University

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    I suggest that you should start to look to the overall cost of building.

    You should take the bill of quantities and re-arrange the majority cost to the minority cost, then select

    the alternative material to the item which is majority cost of building.

    You will be able to make saving.

    Sep 19, 2012

    Daniel Hindman Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

    I would echo Suchat's comment. You need to plan a holistic strategy - not just blind substitution of

    products. At the same time, you need to examine alternatives in your area. What you are talking

    about is a common thread I see in many posts related to sustainable/efficient structures. Also, do not

    foget about the life cycle - maintenance costs, deconstruction / demolition costs.

    Apr 4, 2013

    Seyed Ghaffar Brunel University

    Jute fibre reinforced cementitious composites

    Apr 4, 2013

    Peter Love Curtin University Australia

    Try using mud brick and focusing on embodied energy

    Apr 10, 2013

    Sundeep Singh Central Pollution Control Board

    Cost effectiveness depends on location, climate and type of housing one is considering for. Local

    material, durable and very important going by the material used in old housing in the locality will

    provide right solution for a sustainable and cost effective housing material. There are many materials

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    which are cost effective at one location but defies as location changes. Local soil bricks walls with

    wood (bamboo) based roof may be most economical in forest area whereas the same will be costly

    in urban locations. So, there is no generic answer on cost effective materials for housing as I

    understand.

    Apr 11, 2013

    Laith Al-Taie University of Mosul

    Well, I think the compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) is a promising solution. They are very

    cheap, soil + 10% cement as a maximum. The compressive strength is OK, good thermal insulation.

    These blocks are being used in many countries like Brazil, India and Sudan. The only weakness is

    the durability of the external faces to weather conditions, but that is also managed by cement

    rendering or thin metal sheet covering or even varnish coating.

    May 31, 2013

    Subodh Prakash Agrawal Central Building Research Institute

    For rural housing bamboo can be used for water supply with lower pressure heads. The internal

    segmented natural blocking may be removed and whole of the bamboo can be used for thispurpose. Water based polymeric resin coating may also be incorporated to prevent the leakage.

    Jun 7, 2013

    Amol PAwar University of Pune

    The first focus shall be locally available materials. earth construction can be a better option, provided

    the rainfall conditions are not heavy in the area.If rains are heavy a better option is SMB Stabilized Mud blocks

    Jun 7, 2013

    Agnieszka Knoppik-Wrbel Politechnika lska

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    If you think about some saivings in base structure/foundation construction, think about lightweight

    porous concretes like foam concrete. Apart for very good thermal properties it can serve a stabilising

    or even structural role. Due to its relitevely - comparing to soil - mechanical properties it can be a

    perfect substitution of gravel bed. As a result: 1) you can decrease the thickness of the reinforced

    concrete structural layer of foundation structure, 2) minimise groundwork by succesful replacement

    of gravel and possiblity of settlement of the building within the freezing zone even in harsher

    climates, 3) provide thermal protection and increase overal energetic efficiency of the building.

    Jun 11, 2013

    http://www.researchgate.net/post/Can_any_one_suggest_cost_effective_materails_for_low_cost_hous

    ing

    Low Cost HousingPosted inBuilding,Civil Engineering Information| Email This Post|

    Low Cost Housing is a new concept which deals with effective budgeting and following of

    techniques which help in reducing the cost construction through the use of locally available

    materials along with improved skills and technology without sacrificing the strength,

    performance and life of the structure.There is huge misconception that low cost housing is

    suitable for only sub standard works and they are constructed by utilizing cheap building

    materials of low quality.The fact is that Low cost housing is done by proper management of

    resources.Economy is also achieved by postponing finishing works or implementing them in

    phases.

    Building Cost

    The building construction cost can be divided into two parts namely:

    Building material cost : 65 to 70 %

    Labour cost : 65 to 70 %

    Now in low cost housing, building material cost is less because we make use of the locally

    available materials and also the labour cost can be reduced by properly making the time

    schedule of our work. Cost of reduction is achieved by selection of more efficient material or

    by an improved design.

    Areas from where cost can be reduced are:-

    1) Reduce plinth area by using thinner wall concept.Ex.15 cms thick solid concrete block

    wall.

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    2) Use locally available material in an innovative form like soil cement blocks in place of

    burnt brick.

    3) Use energy efficiency materials which consumes less energy like concrete block in place

    of burnt brick.

    4) Use environmentally friendly materials which are substitute for conventional building

    components like use R.C.C. Door and window frames in place of wooden frames.

    5) Preplan every component of a house and rationalize the design procedure for reducing

    the size of the component in the building.

    6) By planning each and every component of a house the wastage of materials due todemolition of the unplanned component of the house can be avoided.

    7) Each component of the house shall be checked whether if its necessary, if it is not

    necessary, then that component should not be used.

    Cost reduction through adhoc methods

    Foundation

    Normally the foundation cost comes to about 10 to 15% of the total building and usually

    foundation depth of 3 to 4 ft. is adopted for single or double store building and also the

    concrete bed of 6(15 Cms.) is used for the foundation which could be avoided.

    It is recommended to adopt a foundation depth of 2 ft.(0.6m) for normal soil like gravely

    soil, red soils etc., and use the uncoursed rubble masonry with the bond stones and good

    packing. Similarly the foundation width is rationalized to 2 ft.(0.6m).To avoid cracks

    formation in foundation the masonry shall be thoroughly packed with cement mortar of 1:8

    boulders and bond stones at regular intervals.

    It is further suggested adopt arch foundation in ordinary soil for effecting reduction in

    construction cost up to 40%.This kind of foundation will help in bridging the loose pockets ofsoil which occurs along the foundation.

    In the case black cotton and other soft soils it is recommend to use under ream pile

    foundation which saves about 20 to 25% in cost over the conventional method of

    construction.

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    Plinth

    It is suggested to adopt 1 ft. height above ground level for the plinth and may be

    constructed with a cement mortar of 1:6. The plinth slab of 4 to 6 which is normally

    adopted can be avoided and in its place brick on edge can be used for reducing the cost. By

    adopting this procedure the cost of plinth foundation can be reduced by about 35 to 50%.It

    is necessary to take precaution of providing impervious blanket like concrete slabs or stone

    slabs all round the building for enabling to reduce erosion of soil and thereby avoiding

    exposure of foundation surface and crack formation.

    Walling

    Wall thickness of 6 to 9 is recommended for adoption in the construction of walls all-round

    the building and 41/2 for inside walls. It is suggested to use burnt bricks which are

    immersed in water for 24 hours and then shall be used for the walls

    Rat

    trap bond wallIt is a cavity wall construction with added advantage of thermal comfort and reduction in

    the quantity of bricks required for masonry work. By adopting this method of bonding of

    brick masonry compared to traditional English or Flemish bond masonry, it is possible to

    reduce in the material cost of bricks by 25% and about 10to 15% in the masonry cost. By

    adopting rat-trap bond method one can create aesthetically pleasing wall surface and

    plastering can be avoided.

    Concrete block walling

    In view of high energy consumption by burnt brick it is suggested to use concrete block

    (block hollow and solid) which consumes about only 1/3 of the energy of the burnt bricks in

    its production. By using concrete block masonry the wall thickness can be reduced from 20

    cms to 15 Cms. Concrete block masonry saves mortar consumption, speedy construction of

    wall resulting in higher output of labour, plastering can be avoided thereby an overall saving

    of 10 to 25% can be achieved.

    Soil cement block technology

    It is an alternative method of construction of walls using soil cement blocks in place of burnt

    bricks masonry. It is an energy efficient method of construction where soil mixed with 5%

    and above cement and pressed in hand operated machine and cured well and then used inthe masonry. This masonry doesnt require plastering on both sides of the wall. The overall

    economy that could be achieved with the soil cement technology is about 15 to 20%

    compared to conventional method of construction.

    Doors and windows

    It is suggested not to use wood for doors and windows and in its place concrete or steel

    section frames shall be used for achieving saving in cost up to 30 to 40%.Similiarly for

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    shutters commercially available block boards, fibre or wooden practical boards etc., shall be

    used for reducing the cost by about 25%.By adopting brick jelly work and precast

    components effective ventilation could be provided to the building and also the construction

    cost could be saved up to 50% over the window components.

    Lintals and Chajjas

    The traditional R.C.C. lintels which are costly can be replaced by brick arches for small

    spans and save construction cost up to 30 to 40% over the traditional method of

    construction. By adopting arches of different shapes a good architectural pleasing

    appearance can be given to the external wall surfaces of the brick masonry.

    Roofing

    Normally 5(12.5 cms) thick R.C.C. slabs is used for roofing of residential buildings. By

    adopting rationally designed insitu construction practices like filler slab and precast

    elements the construction cost of roofing can be reduced by about 20 to 25%.Filler slabs

    They are normal RCC slabs where bottom half (tension) concrete portions are replaced by

    filler materials such as bricks, tiles, cellular concrete blocks, etc.These filler materials are so

    placed as not to compromise structural strength, result in replacing unwanted and

    nonfunctional tension concrete, thus resulting in economy. These are safe, sound and

    provide aesthetically pleasing pattern ceilings and also need no plaster.

    For more on filler materials checkFiller Materials Used in Concrete

    Jack arch roof/floor

    They are easy to construct, save on cement and steel, are more appropriate in hot climates.

    These can be constructed using compressed earth blocks also as alternative to bricks for

    further economy.

    Ferrocement channel/shell unit

    Provide an economic solution to RCC slab by providing 30 to 40% cost reduction on

    floor/roof unit over RCC slabs without compromising the strength. These being precast,

    construction is speedy, economical due to avoidance of shuttering and facilitate quality

    control.

    Finishing WorkThe cost of finishing items like sanitary, electricity, painting etc., varies depending upon the

    type and quality of products used in the building and its cost reduction is left to the

    individual choice and liking.

    Conclusion

    The above list of suggestion for reducing construction cost is of general nature and it varies

    depending upon the nature of the building to be constructed, budget of the owner,

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    geographical location where the house is to be constructed, availability of the building

    material, good construction management practices etc. However it is necessary that good

    planning and design methods shall be adopted by utilizing the services of an experienced

    engineer or an architect for supervising the work, thereby achieving overall cost

    effectiveness to the extent of 25% in actual practice.http://www.engineeringcivil.com/low-cost-housing.html

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