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Parakuo Ltd introduces Gamablock. A new building technology

Parakuo Ltd introduces Gamablock. A new building technology

A new building technology by the nation's pioneer estate developer, Parakuo Ltd (formerly known as Parakuo Estates Ltd) is fast becoming the bedrock of quick affordable housing in Ghana and within the sub-region of West Africa.

The initiative, which relies on mostly unskilled workers uses  a unique method to construct buildings without recourse to the usual building block.  It is at complete variance with the conventional building methods.

The innovative dry-stack interlocking block, named the gamablock, is used exclusively, within which the columns and beams are built without the use of formwork.

 

The gamablock is a hollow and interlocking cement concrete block.  It is produced in three types; the full block, the half block and the U-block for use as building blocks, beams and cills respectively. This unique design feature eliminates the need to break blocks thus reducing significantly the element of waste.  The blocks fit into one another perfectly and can be used easily with little training.

With the increasing demand for affordable housing, emphasis on the speedy delivery of affordable housing pose many challenges often leading to sub-standard homes being built and quality taking a back seat.

Dry-stacking of gamablocks with unskilled workers

The term dry-stacking refers to the stacking of the GamaBlock without mortar at the joints.  The blocks lock into one another mechanically due to their modular and interlocking design. This makes stacking the GamaBlock easy and quick.  The GamaBlock also self-aligns as the wall gets higher.  The ease with which it can be built with makes it popular with unskilled workers, who on their own with little or no supervision, can stack between 300 – 400 blocks each.

One interesting feature of the GamaBlock Building  is the ease with which all conduits and pipes for electricity and plumbing can be run within  without the need to chisel and patch.  This feature speeds up the building  process and reduces time and cost as compared to the conventional manner of running these services.

As compared to the conventional building system, a GamaBlock structure can take a few days to erect.  Due to its mechanical interlocking nature, the GamaBlock building systems reduces the need for large amounts of steel reinforcement and formwork for concreting of lintels and beams.   Further savings are made as the GamaBlock can be left un-rendered (not plastered) offering a clean natural finish.  It is, however recommended that a 4mm cement/fibre textured render be applied on one of the sides of the walls for buildings.  For fencing, the wall requires no plastering.

 The savings with the use of the GamaBlock can range from 15 per cent  to as high as 35 per cent  when considering that no skilled artisans are required for stacking the blocks, higher output of construction, as well as all the chain-link effects of such savings in relation to cost of money, time, machinery, timber and reduced need for reinforcement.

Founder and history

A product Of PARAKUO LTD, the GamaBlock innovation is an evolving technology which is continuously being improved by the company.  The GamaBlock Building System provides an easy and quick solution to the growing need for housing.  Mr Gaby Mattouk is the founder of PARAKUO LTD and Co-founder of the Ghana Real Estates Developers Association.

According to him, having lived through  the challenges of lack of qualified artisans within the construction industry, the need for such a building solution was dire.  The GamaBlock Building System offers employment to a large number unskilled workers which in return, provides for a fast and reliable way of building.

"Answers to quick delivery of housing should, therefore, offer simple solutions and innovative construction techniques. The GamaBlock building system clearly addresses these solutions and techniques, he told the Daily Graphic.

Mr Gaby Mattouk emphasised that the technology offers improved structural integrity so providing increased structural integrity in the event of seismic activity. 

He told this paper his 40 year experience in the building industry and the increasing frustration of having to deal with unqualified artisans urged him to work tirelessly in finding a solution for quick construction methods that lean more on unskilled workers.  He went further to encourage similar systems and challenged the general public not to shy away from new building systems that offer great advantages and savings without compromising on quality and structural integrity.

Founded three decades ago in 1986, PARAKUO is a Ghanaian Limited Liability Company established and registered in 1986 and listed with the Ghana Investment Promotions Center (GIPC).  PARAKUO, in collaboration with two other developers was commissioned by the Minister of Works and Housing in 1988 to set up an association of builders which saw the birth of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA). The association has grown to over 300 members who form the backbone of housing development and delivery in Ghana today.

Marketability

Several developers and builders have now adopted the GamaBlock Building System for their developments.  Interest in the GamaBlock is rapidly increasing as Parakuo provides training for the use of the system. 

According to the Sales and Promotions Manageress of Parakuo Ltd, Susan Kuffour, the demand for the  blocks have outstripped supply and more houses using this technology are being carried out.

"We are building at Dome, Nungua, Teshie, and the response using these blocks are very encouraging", she told the Daily Graphic.

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