Minister Sutherland says innovative building technologies being examined

inister of Housing Dwight Sutherland says the government is actively working on finding innovative building technologies as it expands the island’s housing stock, and has identified one that could help reduce indoor air quality issues and reduce maintenance costs.

Addressing the 3rd Annual Construction and Design Conference at the Radisson Aquatica Resort on Tuesday, Sutherland disclosed that his ministry is in discussions with several international providers to identify building solutions that are durable, capable of withstanding climatic events and use rapid construction techniques.

He said he recently led a delegation, consisting of both public officials and private sector professionals, on a visit to observe production techniques at factories in Texas and Florida, in the United States. The company which owns the factories utilises a building system that combines cold rolled light-gauge steel, clad with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels to construct cost-effective, resilient structures.

Sutherland said all the components for an 800-square-foot house can be produced in a few hours, and the AAC panels used to clad the structure are fire, termite, water and mould-resistant.

“The integration of AAC products into our building design and construction practices can contribute significantly to a reduction in the number of indoor air quality issues we are currently experiencing, due to mould infestation. Its water and mould-resistant properties would provide our buildings with a much-needed layer of protection from water,” the minister said.

He added that the thermal insulating properties would result in cooler, more energy-efficient structures, and its durability would result in lower maintenance costs over the life of the structure.

Meanwhile, Sutherland disclosed that 1 552 individuals have so far been trained as part of the Barbados Construction Gateway Training Initiative (BCGTI), which aims to equip the workforce with the skills necessary to address the nation’s construction needs.

He said there are plans to extend the programme for another year, and with an additional three cohorts of individuals being trained, it is projected that a total of 3 984 persons will be trained by the end of the programme.

Sutherland noted that this initiative is essential to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers to support the government’s goal of delivering 2 000 housing solutions annually.

“We need a core of well-trained artisans and contractors to ensure that homes are constructed to high standards and capable of withstanding natural disasters,” he said.

Sutherland highlighted the increased severity of natural disasters linked to climate change, referencing reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which indicate that tropical cyclones may become more intense, featuring higher wind speeds and heavier rainfall.

“Caribbean nations like Barbados are particularly vulnerableto the impacts of climate change,” he warned, further emphasising the need for climate-resilient housing.

To combat these vulnerabilities, the government has endorsed the CARICOM Code of Practice for the Construction of Climate-Resilient Homes (CRCP 10:2023), which will be implemented nationwide.

“By adopting the CRCP 10:2023 standards, Barbados can proactively mitigate the impacts of these disasters while reducing the long-term economic and social costs of recovery and reconstruction,” Sutherland stated, adding that all government-supported housing projects must be able to withstand Category Five hurricane-force winds of up to 170 miles per hour.

Addressing concerns about substandard work in the construction sector, Sutherland assured that public sector entities involved in housing development would create a list of contractors known for delivering quality work.

“This database will be made available for referrals by interested parties,” he noted, likening the initiative to the popular American home services website, Angie’s List.

Further adhering to the theme of the conference, Designing and Building for a Sustainable Digital Transformation, the housing minister called on the industry to embrace digital transformation.

“[It] is more than just a buzzword; it signifies a fundamental shift in our approach to work,” he said.

Sutherland advocated for the use of advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and artificial intelligence to modernise the sector.

“By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can drive innovation and ensure that sustainability remains a core value in our projects,” he said. (SM/BT)