Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela will visit the Stag student hostel that has been built using a lightweight modular steel structure at the University of Stellenbosch.
The department has a strategic outcome to ensure the optimal and sustainable use of alternative housing resources. Included in this outcome is to increase sustainable resource use by exploring other technologies and building methods. The department is working on ensuring that its new housing developments include a percentage of innovative alternative building or energy technologies.
The three-storey student hostel accommodates a total of 30 students and was built in 40 days. The building is the first one to be built in South Africa, and will be inhabited by 30 students for one year where they'll also test its thermal and sound insulation standards.The structure was approved by the South African building regulatory body two years ago.
Professor Leopoldt van Huyssteen, the Executive Director of Industry and Finance at the University of Stellenbosch researched alternative methods of construction by different developers. He subsequently chose the Stag design as an achievable alternative to conventional structures, in order to supply housing for as many students as possible.
Due to this being the first structure to be built in South Africa, Stag Construction offered to build this prototype for the University at their own cost.
Date: Friday, 21 October 2011
Time: 11:00
Venue: Hamarshand Street, University of Stellenbosch
Directions from N2 Settlers Way, Cape Town: Go onto Settlers Way 17 km, continue onto N2 Rd 9.9km, take exit 33 for Baden Powell Drive toward, R310/Stellenbosch/Macassar 400m, turn left onto Baden Powell Dr 12.9km, turn right onto Polkadraai Rd/R310, continue to follow R310 2.3km, continue onto Adam Tas 2.8km, turn right onto Molteno Rd 350m, continue onto Jan Celliers Rd 650m, continue onto Hamandshand Street 400m
Media enquiries:
Bruce Oom (Spokesperson)
Cell: 072 4655 177
Tel: 021 483 6622
E-mail: Bruce.Oom@pgwc.gov.za
