Low Cost Building Technology for Africa, Hydraform Interlocking Blocks

When owning a house or building a house seems an impossible dream in Africa, interlocking soil-cement blocks allow people to realize their dreams. South Africa-based Hydraform’s Interlocking Block making Machines are currently being used across Africa by property developers, entrepreneurs, governments and NGOs.

A building constructed using Hydraform's interlocking blocks.

One such company that is benefitting from Hydraform’s technology is Malawi’s Hydra Homes Ltd. Formed in 2009 by a British Chartered Civil Engineer, the company has over 200 employees engaged in construction projects around Malawi.

Hydra Homes specialises in dry stacked interlocking construction utilising Hydraform’s blocks. This sets them apart from any other construction company in Malawi. Hydra Homes has an in-house architectural and engineering team that can offer simple advice on projects or develop full technical drawings for developments for planning and construction.

Why interlocking blocks

Steven Tucker, international sales manager at Hydraform, says that using interlocking blocks have numerous benefits, especially for companies operating on the continent.

One of the advantages of interlocking blocks is that they can be dry-stacked with no mortar. “This greatly increases the speed of construction,” he says.

This building system has been extensively tested for structural strength and durability, as well as for fire, rain and sound resistance.

Workers in Uganda receive training on using Hydraform's blockmaking machine.

Hydraform’s blockmaking machines only use three inputs, namely soil that can be sourced on site, a small amount of cement that provides stability to the blocks, and water. As a result, the machines are ideal for sites where transport costs for cement and sand are high. They are also an eco-friendly, cost-saving alternative to conventional vibration machines. Hydraform machines are available in diesel or electrical options. Depending on the model, the machines have the capacity to produce between 1,500 and 3,000 blocks per eight-hour shift.

(This article was published by: http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/interlocking-blocks-–-a-cost-effective-building-solution-for-africa)