SUVA, FIJI. The Fiji National University (FNU) is at the forefront of a groundbreaking 350 Homes project, aimed at addressing the urgent housing needs in Fiji.

Currently in the consultation phase with the Government through the Ministry of Housing, this partnership project is set to create sustainable housing solutions for low- and middle-income earners, especially those living in informal settlements.

A key component of the project is the development of Eco-Bricks, which were invented by Mr. Viliame Sakiti, a Senior Lecturer at FNU, as part of his PhD research.

These bricks are made from a special type of clay found in certain regions of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. When mixed with sand and cement, they yield building blocks with excellent thermal insulation and compressive strength ranging from 15 to 23 MPa.

Easy and cost-effective to produce on-site, Eco-Bricks offer a viable alternative to traditional timber and concrete houses.

Meanwhile the 350 Homes project is spearheaded by Sakiti Investments PTE Ltd, a company specialising in brick production and construction, with support from the NGO COM TRADE and AID, as well as FNU’s Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CETVET).

Mr Viliame Sakiti said the 350 Homes project aligns with Fiji’s housing development strategies, including the Fiji Low Emissions Development plan for 2018-2050 and the National Development Plan, which emphasises affordable and sustainable housing solutions.

It also aims to develop toolkits for regulating the growth of Green Cities and generate training curricula to support the uptake of green building systems in the country.

With a projected budget of FJD $50-100 million for the entire project, Mr Sakiti adds that FNU plans to involve its students and staff in construction efforts, sharing resources with Sakiti Investments to ensure the successful delivery of homes.

The 350 Homes project is expected to be completed within five years, while the Eco-Brick Model house will be ready for scientific analysis in December.

Mr Sikiti added that this initiative would impact local communities providing affordable and resilient housing options, improving living standards, and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

The Eco-Brick technology not only promises to enhance the quality of housing but also serves as a rapid response solution for natural disaster recovery.

Currently, a pilot Eco-Brick Model house is under construction in Dreketi, Macuata, and is expected to be completed by the end of November.

This model will serve to test the bricks’ performance against local climatic conditions.

For those interested in Eco-Bricks, they will be available for purchase from Sakiti Investments PTE Ltd starting in November 2024.