A Rs 4 lakh house as the best solution for low-cost shelter

Construction of a house under a budget of Rs 4 lakh is even unthinkable in the present scenario of spiraling costs of material and labour. But Nimfra Architects, a Vadakara-based design firm, proves otherwise and offers a house for just Rs 4 lakh as a solution to low-cost construction within a very short span of time.

It will be a boon for a large number of people, especially those affected by the recent floods in Kerala. The biggest challenge faced by the state is reconstruction of houses destroyed or damaged beyond repair in the deluge it witnessed.

In normal cases, it takes at least four to six months to build a new house. The 4-lakh house could be an answer to rehabilitation of families who have lost their dwellings in natural calamities.

The model of the low-cost construction is ready and projects to build the houses are in progress at Panamaram in Wayanad and Kodagu in Karnataka.

The house, having an area of 444 sq ft, is constructed on a four-cent plot. There are two bedrooms, a dining hall, kitchen and bathroom.

Prefab technology is utilized for the work with walls made of fibre cement board. From the exterior, the walls look like a cement and brick construction. V panel boards of 3 inches thickness are fixed with screws on GI pipes.

For the ceiling, 8 mm V board panels are used. The roof has been trussed and roofing sheets fixed.

Advantages

1) Light materials are used; so fatalities can be avoided during natural calamities

2) Construction work can be completed in 15-20 days

3) Rooms can be added as well as removed easily

4) Limited materials needed for work. This reduces the number of labourers and brings down cost

Project info

Location: Vadakara, Kozhikode district

Area: 444 sq ft

Plot: Four cents

Budget: Rs 4 lakh

Designer: Rafeeq, Nimfra Architects

Mobile: 9539989898