5) Description of housing product/service offering: Cellular Lightweight Concrete(CLC) produced using Cement, Sand, Water and Foaming Agent is being used in around 50 countries of the World for the last 30 years. However, I have been the first to introduce a version, which uses Fly Ash as one of the prime constituents (between 26% to 33% of total solids depending on density) aprt from Cement, Sand, Water and Foaming Agent. This enables saving in cement consumption by around 35%, thereby making this alternative far more economical and environment friendly. CLC can be produced in wide range of densities, varying from 400 kg/cum to 1,800 kg/cum and has diverse applications in building industry. The lower density range is used for thermal insulation, being 10 -20 times more efficient than dense concrete. The medium density range blocks are ideal for non loadbearing partition wall masonry in high rise buildings, while the density range 1,200 kg/cum and above is used for structural applications in casting complete houses in-situ or producing pre-cast reinforced elements for cladding, flooring/roofing in buildings. The application of this technology using room sized assembly of wall forms with door/window frames, sevice lines placed inside the forms with nominal reiforcement and pouring-in of CLC (density over 1,200)is the ideal solution for low income housing. The deshuttered walls are just finished with gunny sack, require no plaster and can directly receive colour wash finish.The walls could even thinner than 100mm, still offering thermal comfort equal to one brick wall and be durable. A typical construction shown in illustration "A". An application of the same technology for a set of 156 EWS units in 4-storey construction is shown in illustration "B". We are primarily addressing shortage of housing for the low income families in rural/urban areas any where in the World. We could provide designs and guidance in implementation of this simple technology any where in the world for the benefit of lower income population.

6) Description of innovation: My approach introduces use of an innovative environment friendly low energy use building material, which is also cost effecive. My technology has been found fit for a patent by the Indian Patent Office. The novelty is that it offers solution which utilises hardly 50% or less of total material weight needed by other alternatives like like concrete or brick, enables earthquake/hurricane resistant housing which is permanent, termite and fire proof. It delivers completed houses very fast (even 2-4 houses can also be built on daily basis) utilizing un- skilled labour and saves on the consumption of primary raw mateials like cement and steel.

7) Benefits to clients: The technology was introduced by me in 1995 for the projects of a major real estate promoter in India. I have since then been trying to promote the same with active support of govermental institutions like HUDCO, BMTPC, Fly Ash Mission, NTPC and through participation in International and National conferences and Seminars. I have by now transferred the know-how to over two dozen Indian, Nepalese and Pakistani organisations. These organisations are exploiting its benefits for providing housing to needy including those affected by earth-quakes. The Govt. of India is also supporting the intitiative by providing for concessional import duty on critical equipment and foaming agent.

8) Key operational partnerships: I have sought and obtained co-operation of major builders and real estate promoters and assistance of Govt. institutions as detailed above under 7. This association is progressing slowly and steadily.

9) Financial model: I have no scheme of my own, but the Govt. of India offers such susidies for low income housing and some of the buulders are trying to exploit this for the good of urban/rural poor.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 10

          • Financing: The initialtive is self sustaining since it is more economical than the alternatives.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: I suppose by now over 20 million sft of housing must have been constructed as per technology transpferred by me in the Indian sub-continent. It is reported that the world-wide exploitation of CLC has resulted in construction of over 3,00,000 dwellings and other buildings.

          • Number of clients in past year: Nearly ten builders, who may have constructed houses for a few thousand families.

          • Percentage of clients that are poor or marginalized: 40

          • Potential demand: The technology being simple and applicable any where with the help of local labour, can easily be exploited any where in the World. It can easily benefit millions, in all classes of society.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: The clientage is increasing at an exponential rate. i expect to touch over 100 clients in next three years. This would also help to reduce CO2 emmissions by over 50,000 tonnes per year, therby controlling Green house phenomenon.

12) Origin of the initiative: I was in 1995 looking for more effective alternative to bricks and concrete blocks for walling masonry, when I got to know the CLC and tried and developed the Fly Ash use angle.

Contact Information:
Gurbaksh  Singh
Chief Consultant
System Building Technologists
(Individual)
India
Website: www.systembuilding.com