The social media has been awash with photos showing the progress in the construction works of the late Kelvin Kiptum family’s house.
Shortly after the cabinet agreed to accord Kelvin Kiptum a state funeral on Wednesday, February 14, contractors arrived at the site to work on a three-bedroom house for the late World Marathon record holder’s family.
The map and designs of the house have not been shared with the public yet. But the speed at which the structure is coming up has been astonishing, with Kenyans marveling at the unique technology deployed in the project.
A company named Vastu Company Limited is among the contractors undertaking the project expected to deliver the house before his burial on Friday, February 25.
Vatsu is a company specialized in construction services, offering services including drilling and light gauge steel.
Part of the technology in the three-bedroom house under the development is the use of light-gauge steel set to enable the site contractors deliver the house in the five-days’ timeline.
The technology entails use of thin sheets of steel to construct walls, roofs, floors, and other parts of a house.
Different shapes of the steel bars are manufactured in a plant and later transported to the site for assembling.
The different steel parts are assembled by structural engineers in accordance with the house plan to form a skeleton resembling the house.
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Subsequently, another team comes in to fill the skeleton with gypsum and cement to give it shape.
According to a Vatsu official who spoke to Nation Africa, the team on site is currently finalizing the skeleton and will later pave way for filling with gypsum.
Benefits of technology used in the house Kelvin Kiptum
Advantages of using the steel structures as opposed to other conventional ways include strength and durability.
The LGS, Vatsu notes, is very strong and durable, and it can be used to build structures that can withstand high winds, earthquakes, and other extreme weather conditions.
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In addition, the LGS is much lighter than traditional structural steel, which makes it easier to transport and install and hence economizing on labor and construction costs.
The speed at which the LGS structures can be built is also faster than traditional wood or concrete structures as most of its components are prefabricated and later assembled on-site.
LGS is today used for residential homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and even agricultural buildings, according to the contractor.
Upon completion of the structure, the house will be fitted with other complements including tiles to give it aesthetic value.
On the compound, plans are already underway for landscaping and works including planting of flowers.
Photos shared from the site on Sunday showed that a different team was working on erecting a perimeter fence and a gate.
