Shipping Container Homes construction sets the benchmark for affordable housing

Container Homes construction in Windsor Johannesburg.

The first residential apartment block of its kind to be built in South Africa using shipping containers in the construction, without compromising the quality and the practicality of the structure has been completed.

Citiq Property Developers announced today that the apartment block, SixtyOne on Countesses in Windsor Johannesburg has been completed in record time and is ready for occupation.

Based on an award winning design by Michael Hart Architects, this innovative and practical design has set the benchmark for the future of fast track and cost effective housing using shipping containers and modular steel construction.

CEO of Citiq Property Developers Arthur Blake says that the company commissioned to build the apartment block has been involved in the project throughout the conceptual design. “Innovative architecture and our ongoing efforts to build quality apartments at affordable prices clearly is the way forward. The design combines the best of traditional building with bricks and mortar, while substantially replacing many of the walls and structures with the steel that already exists in the containers.

The project has far exceeded our expectations, and although there were many engineering challenges, the end product speaks for itself,” he says.

Groundbreaking projects such as SixtyOne on Countesses bring an element of excitement and vibrancy into a suburb, while at the same time complimenting the more traditional style of apartment blocks in the area. Notwithstanding that there was initially a certain amount of resistance from the community to this new concept because it pushes boundaries, Blake is delighted at the positive feedback received from the community and members of the public now that the building is complete.

Architect Kobus Botes, who has been overseeing the project, admits that the fast pace of construction meant that the critical path required constant attention to ensure that contractors were able to do their job. “Combining steel, plaster and polystyrene to achieve the end result forced us to be creative and to apply innovative techniques to speed up construction without compromising the quality of the end product.  There are a number of other potential projects where we are considering using shipping containers or modular steel to provide the structure for apartment blocks. We are now ably equipped to deliver future projects faster and cheaper,” he says.”

CEO of Jika Properties Paul Lapham, owner of the stand and who commissioned the development, says that “The design and build finish of the container apartments has exceeded all expectations. This is a project which not only pioneers the use of shipping containers and modular steel structures for residential apartments, but also sets a high standard of design. We are proud of the contribution this project makes to the Windsor area, and of the addition of this block to the apartments we can provide to tenants as homes”.

SixtyOne on Countesses also showcases some of the new green and ecofriendly initiatives that Jika Properties is promoting throughout its portfolio. “The use of heat pumps to provide centralized hot water reduces electricity consumption, while the use of polystyrene for insulation ensures that internal temperatures are maintained within a comfortable band with significantly less heating or cooling than is required in a conventional house. Lighting is provided through energy efficient globes with timer switches and motion detector sensors ensuring that lighting is only used when required. 

These innovations combine with the use of prepaid electrical meters and prepaid water meters to ensure that our tenants are both able to reduce their overall level of consumption and remain conscious of what they are using” say Lapham.  “Helping our customers save on the consumption of municipal services is part of our strategy to provide decent housing at affordable prices. We plan to adopt these innovations in future developments, as well as retrofitting a number of our existing apartment blocks and townhouses with these technologies”.

The block will be completed by the end of August with minor finishes and final snagging still being done at present. An open day is to be held on 25th August for the community and interested members of the public to showcase the development.