Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, believes that by sharing knowledge and best practices, stakeholders within the construction industry can drive innovation and ensure that sustainability remains a core value in the country’s building projects.

Mr. Sutherland expressed this view as he delivered the opening remarks at the Third Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference 2024, under the theme: “Designing and Building for a Sustainable Digital Transformation”, held at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, on Tuesday.

“Our digital transformation efforts should focus on creating structures that are not only efficient but also adaptable to changing conditions, given the increasing challenges posed by climate change. We must moreover encourage open communication and collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and clients,” he said.

He described the conference as a significant event which emphasises the integration of sustainability with digital advancements in the construction and design industries. 

“This three-day conference …comes at a critical juncture, for the construction sector. Digital transformation is more than just a buzzword; it is a fundamental shift in how we approach our work. It encompasses the integration of advanced technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), as well as the use of drones and artificial intelligence.”

He added that while tools like BIM may empower builders to visualise projects in 3D, conduct real-time site inspections, and analyse data for better decision-making, sustainability in designs and processes must also be prioritised.

Mr. Sutherland stated that Government recognises that access to stable, affordable housing is not only a basic human right, but it will also yield social benefits. He said Government is committed to having 2,000 housing solutions per year, provided between the public and private sectors.

The Housing Minister also disclosed that Cabinet had agreed to some proposed policy measures for public-funded housing, with the identification of new building designs and innovative building technologies being key among these measures.

He explained that his Ministry had embarked on a process of identifying innovative building solutions that utilise environmentally responsible and resource-efficient technologies. This will assist Government in achieving its target of providing affordable homes to lower and medium-income householders at a faster pace.

Mr. Sutherland indicated that his Ministry was also exploring other innovative and sustainable technologies that are suitable for Barbados’ climatic environment and mentioned a recent visit to the USA, where he led a delegation of public officers and private sector professionals, who observed production techniques at factories in Texas and Florida.

He said they toured a utilised building system that combines cold-rolled light-gauge steel, clad with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels to construct cost-effective, resilient structures. 

He explained that the cold-rolled light-gauge steel that makes up the frame of the structure is modelled in a 3-D software package that simulates the required environmental conditions, such as earthquake simulation and hurricane-force winds.

The software identifies any failures of the structure to ensure that it meets the required standard and then allows for all the required services to be incorporated into the walls of the structure during the modelling. On completion of successful modelling the software then sends the information to the cold roll machine where the various parts of the structural frame are produced and ready for assembly. These machines can produce all the components of an 800-square-foot house in a few hours.

Mr. Sutherland said the AAC panels have one-fifth the weight of regular concrete, have been employed as green pre-cast building material globally for over 70 years in residential, commercial, and industrial construction, provide excellent sound and thermal properties due to closed air cells in the concrete, and are fire, termite, water, and mould resistant.

“The integration of Autoclave Aerated Concrete 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. The thermal insulating properties of autoclave aerated concrete will lead to cooler, more energy-efficient structures, and its durability will result in lower maintenance costs over the life of the structure…,” the Minister explained.

Mr. Sutherland revealed that a model house designed by an international company will shortly be showcased on the island and said his Ministry is committed to ensuring that the homes being constructed on behalf of the Government are of a high standard and capable of withstanding natural disasters. 

“It is accordingly Government’s policy that any international companies desirous of providing housing for the local market should endeavour to ensure that the structures being erected can resist up to Category Five hurricane force winds, with speeds of up to 170 miles per hour,” he said. (PR/GIS)