HAGÅTÑA — The island’s first green modular homes were introduced to the public on Thursday in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Yigo. The new homes offer an alternative and affordable option for low-income households.
Nanum Consulting Corp. vice president John S. Ko said the steel frame modular houses will be the first green-designed homes to be commercially offered on-island. Emphasizing the affordability of the units, Ko said their company is pushing for a construction rate of $80 to $85 per square foot, which is at least 30 percent cheaper than the islandwide standard of $125 per square foot. Nanum is spearheading the project in partnership with Guam HNC Inc. and Guam Nexus C&D.
The housing project offers 3- and 4-bedroom deluxe units in addition to affordable 1- and 2-bedroom units. Construction for the deluxe units will take at least 45 working days while the smaller, more affordable homes will take just 30 days to complete.
The affordable 1- and 2-bedroom modular steel frame houses, according to Ko, would probably cost around $50,000. He said they are working closely with the Guam Housing Corp., hoping to provide affordable housing to those who can’t afford to buy a home on Guam. GHC has a list of around 10,000 possible applicants.
In a presentation held before the ceremony, modular home designer Sun Hyun Chun said the units were designed and constructed based on Guam requirements, utilizing a technology that has been widely adopted all over the world.
The steel frame houses have limited concrete components, according to Chun, guaranteeing less radon gas emissions. Use of steel framing in construction, he added, is encouraged by the American Lung Association.
The design of the houses also offers better insulation which lessens household energy consumption.
A project briefer also endorsed the homes’ seismic and typhoon resistance qualities, promising that the building material can withstand a wind load of 200 miles per hour and will remain standing in any type of earthquake.
In addition, the briefer emphasized the material’s fire- and termite-resistant qualities. Using steel as a building material can also reduce the cost of construction insurance and homeowner insurance premiums.
At the end of his presentation, Chun said he hopes to have the new homes widely adopted on Guam.
*Article via the Marianas Variety found at: http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/50620-affordable-green-modular-homes-for-low-income-households
No comments:
Post a Comment