Eric Molobi Housing Innovation Hub

The Eric Molobi booklet is an in‑depth overview of the NHBRC’s Eric Molobi Housing Innovation Hub, detailing its origins, purpose, and role in transforming South Africa’s affordable housing landscape. It begins with the story of Eric Marooi Molobi —a development leader whose work inspired the establishment and naming of the Hub.  The booklet highlights how the Hub demonstrates Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) through more than 20 different prototype houses, each built using alternative construction systems such as Ikhaya, Styrox, Lepa, Moladi, Eco Beam, Finnbuilder, Powerwall, and many others, which are presented with descriptions of their materials, methods, and performance characteristics.

Beyond showcasing new technologies, the booklet describes the Hub’s integrated approach: a combination of IBT demonstration houses, the Martha Molobi Training Centre, and a Construction Testing Laboratory, all designed to support training, research, material testing, and industry capacity building.  It further emphasises the Hub’s role in national policy development and innovation, illustrating how it supports efforts to certify new building technologies, promote energy‑efficient and climate‑responsive construction, and provide evidence-based recommendations for wider adoption of these systems.  

Overall, the booklet serves as a comprehensive technical and educational resource for government, researchers, industry professionals, and the public, offering insight into South Africa’s evolving approach to innovative, sustainable human settlements.

Abstract based on original source.