The re-purposing of existing buildings into student residences, apartments, entry level housing and hotels has been a growing trend, with more and more developers looking to re-use buildings in key urban locations. Nearly 4000m2 of lightweight blocks were used by Washirika 3 Oaks for use in a residential building conversion in Sisulu Street, Pretoria. With a density of 650kg/m3, the walling was used in the conversion of an existing three-floor building into “high-quality, affordable shared living spaces”. Construction using lightweight blocks has proven to have less wastage and, owing to the lightweight nature and larger size of the blocks, is significantly quicker and easier.
