The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a new technology that will benefit communities which depend on subsidised, low-income houses in South Africa.

The research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology and was inspired by the growing demand for housing in South Africa.

While much progress has been made with housing, the provision of housing is a national priority, said CSIR president and CEO Dr Sibusiso Sibisi at the viewing of the low-income experimental house on Thursday, in Pretoria.

The CSIR demonstration house was built according to the regulations of the National Home Builders Registration Council. The complete house has also been accredited by Agrément South Africa, the internationally acknowledged body that provides assurance through technical approvals of nonstandardised or unconventional products.

"Using innovative design and construction technology, CSIR researchers have developed a demonstration house with significantly improved performance and sustainability. If built according to CSIR specifications, and on a large scale, such houses will be constructed much faster and at similar costs than when using conventional methods," proclaimed Sibisi.

CSIR senior researcher Llewellyn van Wyk explained that a modular, design-to-fit approach similar to a Lego set where pieces have to fit together correctly to form the bigger unit, was used.

He added that the difference to the current low-income houses is the design of the bathroom and kitchen area, and the use of a waste outlet manifold that is premanufactured, quality-tested and installed on site. This reduces the extent of the plumbing installation substantially while ensuring that the installation is done to the required standard.

"Standard low-income houses have no ceilings and thus no insulation, which results in incredible variations in temperatures," said Van Wyk.

The thermal performance of the roof was improved with the addition of an insulation material that doubles up as a ceiling. The house faces the appropriate direction for ensuring bedrooms can benefit from sunlight, while the living room faces north.