Concrete is the backbone of modern civilization, but it carries a heavy environmental price tag. Responsible for nearly 8% of global CO2 emissions, the cement industry is under immense pressure to decarbonize. A promising solution is emerging from the coastline: Algal Biochar. Researchers at the University of Miami are proving that seaweed is more than…
The Challenge of Owner Building This web site is aimed not only to assist those building their own homes, but to inspire home builders and anyone who has decided to try owner building. Having owner-built ourselves, several times, we have loads of advice to give others. Having written, illustrated and produced scores of books relating…
Looking to build, fix, or create something amazing? Whether you’re into woodworking, welding, bricklaying, or home improvements, these step-by-step How-To books make every project easy! Scroll down, explore the covers, and click the links to start your next DIY adventure. 🔍 Find your perfect guide below! Concrete and Mortar Handbook:A Guide for Using Concrete and…
What to do if your house building foundation trenches fill up with rainwater before pouring concrete? More things to consider: More things to consider Remember, maintaining a dry and stable foundation is crucial for the long-term structural integrity of your house. Taking proactive measures and seeking professional advice when needed can help mitigate any potential…
Owner Build Your Own House in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction: To “Build my own house” can be an exciting and rewarding endeavour, allowing you to design and create a home that perfectly suits your needs and preferences. In South Africa, the process to owner build your own house is certainly feasible, but it…
Five 3D-Printed house projects planned for the Netherlands By this time next year a town in The Netherlands, Eindhoven, will have its first few 3D-printed homes built and ready for people to live in. There are a few companies working together with Eindhoven University of Technology and the local municipality on Project Milestone. 3D-concrete printing…
By Penny Swift Author Electricity is a charged subject that often shocks those who don’t realize how important compliance is. Home Security Just look at all the illegal electrical connections looming over informal settlements. Notice people on social media asking who can do electrical jobs cheaply. Do they even realize that only qualified, registered electricians…
By PENNY SWIFT Building Not According to Approved Plans The City of Cape Town recently ordered builders to halt the construction of a Gordon’s Bay house because the project did not comply with the National Building Regulations (NBR) and is a non-compliant site. In fact, work has been stopped several times, and only after repeated…
If you are selling your house, and don’t have approved plans, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.
What Are You Required to Do with the NHBRC as an Owner Builder? All new homes, by law, have to be registered with the NHBRC, some RDP houses are exempt from this. As an owner builder you may apply for an exemption from the Housing Consumer Protection Measures Act with the NHBRC. There are certain…
What Is the SABS? What Does the SABS Do? The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) was established in terms of the Standards Act, 1945 (Act No. 24 of 1945) and now operates under the latest edition of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 29 of 2008). This national body promotes and maintains the standards…
Here is a Classic Film Clip on How to Build a House This how to build a house film clip that was made back in 1946 is a must-watch for anyone contemplating doing any sort of building. Even though it was made so many years ago the process has more or less remained the same….
All About Insulation and Ventilation for Clean, Fresh Air We all need fresh air to live, but how can we ensure that there is always fresh, clean air in the buildings that we live and work in? The answer lies in well-designed ventilation systems that are developed by professionals to keep our buildings healthy and…
Main Picture Above: Designed with the needs of a family in mind, this small bathroom has durable, easy-to-clean ceramic tile surfaces and owes much of its charm to a simple, streamlined layout and a restful neutral background. Your Bathroom Planning the Right Way Whether it is a guest cloakroom, a luxurious en suite arrangement or…
House Plan Submissions – What is the Process? The City of Cape Town has created an easy-to-follow infographic to explain how the process of house plan submissions works. No online submissions Plans cannot be submitted by post or online, they have to be “walked through” personally by the owner or his appointed qualified professional. The…
Picture Above: A retaining wall constructed from specially designed, interlocking blocks The Implications of Building Retaining Walls Part K of SANS 10400, Walls in the National Building Regulations (NBR) covers the structural strength and stability of all walls, including those that form part of a house or other building, and both garden and boundary walls….
How to Change a Tap Mixer Cartridge, Step-by-Step Tap mixer cartridges have changed the way home handymen tackle the task of fixing leaking taps and shower heads. The days of fixing a leaking tap by changing a simple washer are fast fading as more and more new mixer designs are manufactured. This is because of…
How to Build Your Own Pergola This carefully designed, beautifully constructed wooden pergola looks rather grand and imposing. However, while it is certainly a relatively large-scale project, involving a fair amount of timber, there are no complicated joints, and you won’t need any specialised tools. You can simplify the project even further by buying ready-planed…
Plumbing Projects You Can Tackle Legally Do you know that almost all the municipalities now require a plumbing COC (Certificate of Compliance) before they will approve the sale of any house in their area? The question is what DIY plumbing work can you do yourself that is legal and will not affect your COC? Plumbing…
Nkandla is Probably the Most Costly Owner Building Project in the History of South Africa Traditions come and go, and it seems once again to be a growing trend to have extended family living together in one home. But the numbers have grown out of hand at Zumaville, with the President’s brothers, many wives, and…
A Small House in the Dunes – Dune House Jetty and Maarten Min have lived for more than twenty years in a small bungalow with magnificent views that they promised themselves that they would do something stunning with “later”. The bungalow was situated on the sand dunes in Bergen-aan-Zee in North Holland (Dune House). Then…
Creative Home Design This imposing house was designed by well-known international architect Giovanni D’Ambrosio and is set in the popular winter skiing region of Australia in the State of Victoria’s mountain countryside near Mount Hotham. To integrate the house with its surroundings the architect has used organic materials. Wood, stone, metal and glass are all…
How To Be SANS 10400XA Compliant – A Guide New Energy Regulations SANS 10400XA and SANS 10400X are what we get quite a few queries about on our website. Here are a few: Q: Hi,I have read through the regulations, but need clarification on whether an application is required when changing existing steel framed windows…
Alterations and Additions to Your Home There are so many changes that have been made to the National Building Regulations in recent years that homeowners may be forgiven for wondering what is and what is not allowed in terms of altering and making home additions. Some of the greatest concerns relate to the new energy…
Picture Above: Stage two, where you maybe put in a pool and other areas for entertaining Landscaping Your Garden in Stages – Part 2 As we suggested in Landscaping Stage 1, it is usually not going to be possible to build in all the plants, features or utilities into a garden when you initially start…
