Access Engineering progress in construction of Henamulla housing complex

The leading infrastructure development solutions provider in Sri Lanka, Access Engineering PLC, commenced operations on the Urban Development Authority funded Urban Regeneration Project in September 2011.

This project is part of the Urban Development Authority’s initiative to identify and relocate 70,000 households located in underserved settlements in the Colombo area, within the next six years, under the direction of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

With the vision to eliminate shanties, slums and other dilapidated housing from the city of Colombo in order to plan and implement a relocation program for better living conditions, phase one of the regeneration project is to construct 30,000 housing units within three years, while phase two will construct another 40,000 units within the following there years for a total of 70,000 households to make the city of Colombo the most attractive city in South Asia.

Access Engineering has been entrusted with design and construction of engineering works of five 12-storey apartment blocks which comprises of 1,137 housing units, including design and installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, landscaping and other site works at Henamulla. This is the first large scale housing project to be undertaken by Access Engineering and marks their entry into a highly competitive sector in the industry.

The design of the buildings has employed green concepts by Access Engineering from the inception. Reducing power consumption, the utilisation of natural ventilation and lighting to the maximum capacity are some examples.

“Among many other value engineering solutions that are being implemented throughout the course of the project, the new system formwork takes prominence. This system has enhanced the speed and efficiency of construction with improved quality, while establishing a firm commitment to sustainable building technology,” Access Engineering Project Manager Hasika Dhanapala said.

On completion in June 2014, the project will extend housing to over 1,000 families, who are currently living in underserved settlements in and around the Colombo area while offering much better living standards.