BUTTERFLY HOUSING

Bridging the GAP between demand and supply

in the affordable housing market in Africa

 

Africa is confronted with an enormous backlog in affordable housing for the masses. The problem is both quantity and quality: a great challenge, but also a great business opportunity. This inspired us to develop Butterfly Housing as a product to enter this mostly untapped market. We are established in Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa.

THE PROTECTIVE SYSTEM A HOUSE THAT PROTECTS THE FAMILY WELL

 

To deliver large numbers of comfortable homes sustainably for an affordable price. We have established ourselves as a discerning (social) housing company in Africa, delivering both quantity and quality, thus contributing to a humane and thriving urban environment.

THE MARKET

The GAP market is the large group of the “emerging middle classes” a group of educated young people with modern aspirations, but with a modest salary. The GAP market targets households with incomes between USD 300,- and 1500,- per month. Butterfly Housing targets this GAP market which is as yet hardly served. We believe that the time is ripe to target this housing market because of demographical and socio-economical trends, which we will dwell upon hereafter. The company’s vision is to build together To contribute to a growth oriented and socially sustainable economy in Africa together with the stakeholders. By combining a generic model of advanced design with a locally established and specifi c method of fi nishing, it provides an aspirational model for the emerging middle classes in sub Saharan Africa.

THE PRODUCT

The product is a house based on a hybrid construction system and passive climate control. It consists of a building kit of steel parts that are assembled into a load bearing skeleton to finish the houses with different infill materials, such as earth blocks and insulated panels. We distinguish three systems that we keep separate in order to organise the delivery process affordably and efficiently.

The USP’s of this product are:
- comfortable and affordable
- climate responsive (no need for AC)
- high quality but low required skills on site
- easy adjustment over time
- adjustable to local market
- local job creation
- designed to bridge the GAP

STRUCTURE

Butterfly Housing BV is a Netherlands Limited company aiming at contributing to the production of appropriate and affordable houses for this emergent housing market in Africa. Butterfly Housing seeks local African cooperating partners with whom it wants to form a franchise network based on a benchmark of quality and modes of delivery. Butterfly Housing is established in South Africa as a Pty Limited company. Butterfly Housing is established in Nigeria as a Limited company and listed as Butterfly Housing Developers Ltd. Butterfly Housing Cameroon Co. Ltd is currently in process of formation.

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Butterfly Housing BV is currently managed by its co-founders Thom Wolf (CEO) and Robert van Kats (COO). Thom Wolf is a seasoned real estate developer and manages the company's organization. Robert van Kats is an experienced urban designer with an impressive track record both in European and African countries. Robert is in charge of design and construction. Both founders rely on a strong interest for Africa, its history and people and a vast working experience in the African condition.

The team is supported by their local cooperative partners in Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa. Butterfly Housing Cameroon Co. Ltd is represented by its CEO Mrs Tim Immaculate Bih. Butterfly Housing in Nigeria is represented by its managing director Michel Nadorp.

THE METHOD

We employ the method of systems separation in order to bring down the traditional complexity of building houses. BH combines high end industrial production of load bearing construction with locally available construction capacity. That way we deliver high quality houses for a low cost, whilst at the same time training and employing individuals from the stakeholder communities. In other words: the houses are produced within and by the stakeholder communities, easing our way into the target market.

DISCERNING QUALITY

BH’s discerning quality is the fact that it is a sustainable alternative to cheap shelter and quickly produced mass housing. To sum it up: - Financing can be done in smaller steps as part of a growth scenario. - Contribution to job creation and the transfer of basic skills and knowhow. - Contributes to cooperating networks in the housing environment. - Rapid construction yet high and reliable quality.

FOR LACK OF SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSES, THEY STAY IN THE SLUMS

 

Butterfly House is designed as a brand. In housing this is exceptional and it is one of the innovations in our proposition. Butterfly Housing stands for a range of discerning qualities and distinctive features connected to the green economy and progressive social values. The product is very tangible through its specific form and modular repetition. At the same time it’s easily adaptable to individual needs. We aim at creating a benchmark for affordable quality and social values which we want to be associated with the product. Hence the specific name that corresponds to the image and respect for nature: Butterfly Housing is a house that threads the earth lightly. It’s a growth approach to housing.

THE BUTTERFLY PRINCIPLE

SYSTEM SEPARATION

 

A house is an organic entity, composed of different parts. These parts have different life spans. In traditional houses these systems are overlapping and therefore difficult to change without also demolishing another part. In Butterfly House the systems are kept separate and can be adapted independently. We distinguish 3 main systems

The Skeleton

The load bearing system

The skeleton is the load bearing system of Butterfly House. It consists of an industrially produced, thus highly reliable, steel framework and corrugated steel roof and floor. The skeleton is easy and fast to assemble. Because it stands slightly above ground the structure is independent of soil conditions, and unharmed by heavy rains and occasional flooding. The form of the roof allows for proper ventilation, creating self cooling capacity which is one of the discerning qualities of Butterfly Housing.

 

The Butterfly Housing Company will provide a manual for assembling the steel skeleton and will use preferred contractors to do the job.

The Skin

The protective system

The skin is the protective system of the house. It envelops the interior and protects the inhabitants from the climate, insects and intruders. It includes strong insulating walls made of stone (compact earth blocks for example) or strong insulated fibre cement.  Windows are steel or wood window frames, depending on local availability. The windows can be fitted out with burglar bars or burglar proof glass. The ventilation grille is fitted out with a specific anti-malarial mosquito mesh.

 

The skin is locally produced and can be removed and altered easily without changing the structure of the house. That way the house is adaptable to changing needs without large costs.

The Organs

The energy system

The organs define the health of a house. Every house has its energy system for breathing, heating and cooling, as well as waste disposal and water provision for drinking and cleaning. These “organs” are mostly technical and easily replaced when necessary. This system is managed by plumbers and electricians. A Butterfly House is standard fitted out with prefabricated bathrooms and kitchens and with state of the art solar lighting. Hot water can be generated with an optional solar boiler. Waste water management depends on local standards of sewage, but could be managed individually or in small groups of houses with the sustainable waste management technology that Butterfly Housing can provide through its partners.

 

The Butterfly House does not have a need for electrical air conditioning, because of its self cooling capacity through the butterfly roof and special ventilation device. In short: it is a healthy house.

YOUR PROJECT

CREATING THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE PROOF CITIES

 

Our services depend on the project specifics. They comprise a range of design, consultancy and (green) engineering services that depend on the site, the client, the available budget and the scope of the project. An important additional service is training of local construction workers to assemble and finish the houses. The design of the houses enables easy plug in into a mini-grid that connects the houses to waste water treatment, potable water, energy generation etc. Many project locations do not have generic infrastructural services. The organisation will assist with council drawings to submit for building permits to local authorities.

A typical project would be divided in 4 stages:

  1. Market analysis and pre-feasibility study – budget estimation
  2. Concept design lay-out – pre-engineering phase – provisional cost estimate
  3. Final lay-out and typology – contracting the construction partners
  4. Foundations and infrastructure – assembly and delivery of the houses

PRESS

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FUTURE NEWS

CONTACT

The Netherlands
Butterfly Housing BV

Thom Wolf (CEO)
Lijnbaansgracht 57
1015 GS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
thom@butterflyhousing.com
+31 (0)6 3120 5000

Nigeria
Butterfly Housing Developers Ltd.
Michel Nadorp (Managing Director)
21, Haman Maiduguri Crescent,
Off 3rd Avenue (Pa Michael Imodu Ave.)
Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria
michel@butterflyhousing.com
+234 (0)803 785 0585

Cameroon
Butterfly Housing Cameroon Co. Ltd.
Mrs. Tim Immaculate Bih (CEO)
Sonac Street, Bamenda, Cameroon
immaculate@butterflyhousing.com
+237 (0)677471311

South Africa
Butterfly Housing South Africa Pty Ltd.
Thom Wolf (CEO)
thom@butterflyhousing.com
+31 (0)6 3120 5000

FOLLOW US