Faster Methods Of Building State Houses

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1948, Page 5

Faster Methods Of Building State Houses

Solely developed by a contracting firm now building State houses in the new Waiwhetu block, Hutt Valley, a new housing construction method will cut building time by 15 per cent. At the block, houses are being finished at a speed of one a day. The method will be used extensively in the huge State housing works planned for the Porirua coast and other future sites. Of the 24 Maori houses planned for the Waiwhetu block, six are now tenanted, the first family having moved in almost two weeks ago. So far 12 houses have been finished and they should be occupied in a few days. All the bedrooms are large —up to five bedrooms —and built of brick veneer. They are situated on the south-east corner ,of the site. A number of other homes in the block will be ready for additional families in a few weeks. Timber-framed units, by the new method, are covered externally with reinforced concrete ,4in. thick. This concrete is lifted by power in a oa> row direct from the mixer and the ceiling joist are used as scaffolding. One set of concrete boxing is used to build 150 houses, and when this is taken off the face of the coniVete is so smooth that the only plastering required is an ornamental splash C °The main advantage is reduction in cost of three stages usually usedboxing, scaffolding and plastering Apart from window woodwork tne outside of the houses built with the hoist method require only colour' washing with cement paint. Law maintenance of the invished product is another advantage The Housing Department has approved the scheme and will use it in State housing Projects at Auckland Within 12 months the mock may be completed, when almost 250 families will have moved in.