Dirk Meyer, managing director of Corobrik, said that Corobrik is proud to have been associated with this project. Lakehaven Phase II has a proud lineage. It's Phase I predecessor received the coveted Social Housing Project of the Year 2011 award from the Southern African Housing Foundation.
"Lakehaven Phase II takes this a step further. Through the far sighted substitution of cheaper building materials with higher quality building materials, First Metro Housing and construction, cost and project managers, HDH, have as good as redefined social housing and made it aspirational," he said.
Lakehaven Phase I comprises 312 units. The second phase provides a further 280 units within 34 double story blocks of flats. Construction began in early 2013 and it is on track for completion by mid-year. The first 88 units are already occupied. Selection of tenants for the remainder will begin during the second half of the year.
Mehmood Hoosen, HDH's principal agent, pointed out that, while costs were kept low, the end product was of a high standard. He said his company worked within strict parameters but had enjoyed a great deal of flexibility when it came to overall design and choice of materials.
Hoosen said that the objective was to deliver a quality project through an improved choice of materials and top notch workmanship. "When you look at housing delivery, you realise that these units are made available to tenants from low income households who are paying minimal rent. For them, living in something similar would be unaffordable. We are able to provide a home that is much more than a rental unit whilst allowing them to have greater disposable income for a better lifestyle and to fund important aspects such as education for their children."
In additional to aesthetic considerations, Hoosen pointed out that environmental concerns are top of the First Metro Housing agenda. In line with these, greening of the environment and the planting of trees as well as the selection of building materials with low carbon footprints was important. Corobrik products were therefore well suited to the Lakehaven project.
These included Corobrik's Country Cottage face bricks, clay Ironstone pavers and Geolok 400 retaining blocks. Facebrick was used instead of stainless steel for balustrades. Aprons around the building were redesigned so that the vibrant colours of the Ironstone pavers could be introduced in place of concrete while Corobrik Geolock earth retaining blocks provided for a practical and attractive landscaping throughout the complex.
On the aesthetic side, Hoosen noted that Country Cottage face bricks blended well with the environment and provided a design enhancing contrast to plastered walls. Facebrick was also used to build communal facilities such as refuse storage areas. He said that tone and texture blended well with the environment and whilst meeting engineering requirements. He added that the Geolock retainers were a pleasant pink colour which also blended well with the environment.
