Modulo Project: The Link House in Centurion, South Africa
by Nikola Tosic, 24 January 2018
Modulo, Geoplast permanent crawl space formwork, was chosen by the Pretoria-based architect studio Strey Architects to secure the foundations of Link House, one of its latest creations in Centurion, next to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.
Strey Architects philosophy is to optimize the natural elements of the site and local climatic conditions, through the use of innovative sustainable design principles.
The Link House is an energy-efficient “contemporary farmhouse” in cement-washed bricks, designed to have the lowest possible impact on the environment while still being functional and practical. It is U-shaped, with a south wing that comprises the lounge and open-plan kitchen and dining area, and a north wing that comprises the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The house is built on a raft foundation, as the area is subject to sinkholes. Geoplast Modulo was particularly suitable for this type of foundation and allowed for the entire floor to be insulated.
It was a perfect alternative to standard raft system for 3 reasons:
- Significant decrease of the risk of cracks forming through the foundation to the walls, where sink holes could occur in the ground. In fact, the foundations spread the walls loads evenly over a larger surface of the site rather than it being a point load;
- Time-saving factor for formwork installation and casting;
- Floor insulation and R Value, in line with the low energy footprint designed for the house.
Thanks to these distintive characteristics, Modulo allowed the creation of green and strong foundations.