Knowstics Academy, an independent school for boys based in Bonda, Manicaland in Zimbabwe, has found an alternative to property rental and, with the help of Hydraform interlocking blockmaking technology, is literally building its new premises from the ground up.
Boasting a consistently high pass rate and a push to prepare its students for life beyond school, the privately-owned institution started with an all-girls academy,which was established in 2009 and offers tuition for forms one to six.
Knowstics Academy is also registered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and offers exams for both the University of Cambridge and ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe School Examinations Council).1The Knowstics Academy for boys, which is currently being built using the Hydraform system, is poised to follow suit with the same available education levels and accreditation on offer.
Previously, the academy had rented premises from which to operate, but recently arrived at the decision to build two new schools of its own– separately for boys and girls. The project, which commenced in September 2016 and is expected to conclude in mid-2017, includes classrooms, offices, laboratories, boundary walls and housing for both staff and students.
The project called for the use of Hydraform’s interlocking blockmaking machinery, including the M7MI Super, M7S2E and the M7S1E. “The M7MI Super is our best selling machine, producing 2200 blocks in an 8 hour shift. Being robust and very mobile, it’s ideal for remote sites and even on sites without any electricity available, which made it an ideal workhorse for the Knowstics Academy project,” remarks Nazlie Dickson, Hydraform Sales and Marketing Director, who adds, “In addition to the M7S2E, which works at a rate of about 3000 blocks per shift, thanks to its twin compression chambers, and the M7S1E, another solid staple in Hydraform’s range of machinery, this trio of machines makes for a formidable production combination on site.”
“Our machinery was slated for this unique project because of the speed of construction it offers, reliability of the machinery and great quality building finish,” says Dickson. “This is the first Hydraform-supported project of both its kind and magnitude in Zimbabwe, and it will be fully realized in the coming months, thanks to the forward-thinking approach and high standards of the Knowstics Academy, which are so well in tune with those of Hydraform. This project is a Zimbabwean success story in the making and we’re proud to be providing the building blocks for this exciting new narrative,” Dickson concludes.
The Knowstics Academy project, which is currently under way, employs the specialized skills of architects and civil engineers, and has created work opportunities for over200 local community members.
About Hydraform
Hydraform has dedicated its more than 25 years of experience in alternative building technologies to developing the Hydraform interlocking building system. Through continuous research and development with leading institutions, the company has developed a dry-stack interlocking building block, eliminating the use of mortar in 70% of the building structure with no need for concrete or steel columns – saving money and delivering exceptional quality.
Hydraform contact:
Moabi Rakosa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 913 1449
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hydraform.com
Media contact:
Boitumelo Mogano
MoonDawn Media & Communications
Tel: +27 (0) 079 5494
Cell: +27 (0)76 733 2615
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.moondawnmedia.co.za
