KOCHI: Kochi is all set to have its first prefabricated building at SmartCity - a CBSE school from Dubai-based GEMS Modern Academy.
Introducing the latest trend in building sector to the city, Bengaluru-based KEF Infra will construct the school using components prefabricated at its Tamil Nadu facility.
The company claims the novel concept would reduce construction cost and save time considerably.
As much as 90 per cent of the components of the modern school complex, with 1.3 lakh sqft area, will be prefabricated at the company’s factory at Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu, and the work is expected to be completed in five-and-half months.
“The facade, panels, columns, beams, staircase, bathroom pods and mechanical/electrical/plumbing modules will be built at our modern factory. The components will be transported to the site and assembled. The method will reduce the construction time by 50 per cent,” said KEF Infra founder-chairman Faizal E Kottikollon.
The company has built hospitals, schools, hotels and residential buildings using the prefabrication technology.
“In 2013, we completely overhauled the 120-year-old GVHSS at Nadakkavu, Kozhikode, using the technology. The school is currently ranked among the top three government schools in the country,” he said.
According to Faizal, Malayalis are realising the benefits of prefabricated building technology. “The trend of building thick walls to protect building has become obsolete. Of late, the demand for prefab buildings has increased,” he added.