In today’s environment, constructing a house means getting the most out of hard-earned money invested. Affordability, durability and beauty are among the basic considerations. Is it possible to fit in all these criteria into the picture of the ordinary Filipino’s dream house? Yes it is with the use of new housing technologies.
One such technology is Hausland’s load bearing wall system certified by the Accreditation of Innovative Technologies for Housing (AIIECH). The technology was developed and introduced in the market by Hausland Development Corporation (HLDC) and Fiesta Communities Incorporated. The technology is used to construct walls that support the structure of the house with the use of concrete hollow blocks designed as shear walls. The load bearing concrete hollow blocks are laid in straight formation unlike the conventional staggered formation of blocks. The vertical hollows are filled with mortar up to the top surface thereby creating micro columns. For added strength and durability, steel reinforcements are welded together instead of tying them with G.I. wires, and the blocks are locked at the end corners.
Mr. Willy Tan, President of HLDC, says Hausland load-bearing wall system is their company’s answer to the market’s demand for low-cost but quality houses. At the same time it also addresses the developers’ concern to come up with a building system that saves on construction time, is environment friendly and eliminates waste. Mr. Tan says they have a research and development group that undertakes studies to continuously improve their building techniques. He declares with pride, “Our technology is quite competitive. It was borne out of our probinsyano spirit of being matiyaga.”
Hausland has been using load bearing wall system for the past three years. Mr. Tan says the technology uses concrete which is very acceptable in the market. Materials used are locally available and therefore cheaper. It is not messy and does not use heavy equipment like cranes for installation. The application of the technology together with modern house designs and spacious subdivision layout in Hausland and Fiesta projects has made buyers happy, satisfied and proud homeowners.
Mr. Tan credits Hausland structural engineer Pedro M. Tolentino who designed the system exclusively for HLDC. According to Engr. Tolentino, the main structural system, the 100 mm thick load bearing masonry wall was tested using the widely-used software ETABS to determine whether the wall could withstand stresses such as residential floor loads, roof loads and earthquake loads. Findings showed that the system is more than adequate to carry code-prescribed forces and loads. The outstanding feature of the system, says Engr. Tolentino, is that it eliminates the construction of columns resulting to significant cost reduction.
The direct cost for a two-storey residence using Hausland load bearing wall system is P12,595.06. Based on AITECH evaluation, the cost is 16 percent lower compared to the conventional method of construction pegged at P15,000 per square meter using a house with the same provisions. The structure consists of steel rafter and purlins with two-toned C-Pac Monier roof tiles, panel doors and Bradnam sliding windows and other architectural finishing such as ceramic tiles on floor, toilet and bathroom, Hornitex laminated wood for the second floor, security grills and screen windows, Tarrasa Amarillo outdoor tiles at eh exterior walls, interior and exterior painting, cabinets and other carpentry works, plumbing and electrical fixtures.
HLDC, based in Central Luzon has been in the housing industry since 1986 when it started buying and selling foreclosed properties of SSS and GSIS. Despite the slowdown in property development in Central Luzon following Mt. Pinatubo eruption, Hausland successfully pursued the development of various properties in Tarlac with assistance from the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) under its Unified Home Lending Program. Today, Hausland has built over 7,000 housing units in 12 fully developed subdivisions in Pangasinan, Tarlac and Pampanga.
Last year, HLDC introduced its affiliate company, FIESTA COMMUNITIES INC. Incorporated to focus on the development of socialized housing packages amounting to P300,000 to P750,000 with monthly amortizations ranging from P1,798.61 to P4,989.77. FIESTA is the acronym to the company’s core mission and values namely: Family, Investment, Environment, Shelter, Technology and Affordability.
