By DELFHIN MUGO
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When most people decide to put up a decent house, they go for brick and mortar, the most conventional construction materials. But a couple from Kericho has gone against the grain by opting for a non-conventional method of construction for their country home.
The three-bedroom house for the family of five is being constructed using earthbag technology, a method the designing architect, Mr Francis Gichuhi, says is the first of a kind to be used to put up a residential home in the country.
To put it simply, earthbag technology involves filling sacks with soil and then stacking them together like soldiers do when building bunkers to ward off attacks. Chicken wire mesh is then added to provide additional strength before concrete is plastered.
“The bags used are the onion-net type while the dome shape of the house means that the house does not require a roof, greatly saving on cost,” says Mr Gichuhi.
Asked the reason behind using onion bags and not any other type, the architect says, “The perforated and net nature of onion bags produces friction between the layers, which is important in keeping the walls intact and preventing sliding.”
This particular house features three bedrooms and a kitchen. All the rooms can be accessed from the living room, which also houses the dining area. The kitchen is also accessible through the back door. Of the three bedrooms, two are en suite with the remaining bedroom having a toilet only.
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