German prefab houses for super-rich in Nigeria

A NEW generation of prefab buildings known as Huf haus or Huf houses is set to hit the Nigerian market. Described simply as a green revolution in housing, the self-sustaining insulated houses which have been around for more than 100 years, are German products being replicated across the globe. The energy saving houses which are individually planned on every plot, are mechanically ventilated. The houses are built air-tight to centralise insulation system while occupants of the houses do not need electricity to generate hot water. Huf-house Huf-house Unfolding the plans to introduce the German houses into the country at a media forum in Lagos weekend, the Director of Marketing at Huf Haus, Mr. Thomas Geiner said the key thing about Huf houses is that they are environmentally sustainable. “Every Huf Haus is now triple-glazed, fully insulated and uses renewable energy sources, such as air-sourced heat pumps.

 “‘The innovative post and beam architecture of a HUF Haus has a fascinating as well as expressive appearance. Wooden beams teamed with generous glazing form a visual gateway to the surrounding nature; thus creating a unique living space and experience. Where we chose to live and work influences our lives and our surrounding environment can impact on our well-being, motivation and happiness’’, Geiner noted. 

Motivation and Happiness 

“With the expressive symbiosis of wood and glass, every Huf house has a distinctive character and will enhance your quality of life as sunlight and the natural world are brought directly into your living space. ‘More than simply an end-result, Huf Haus offers you the realisation of an individually planned construction project that is dealt with by competent and dedicated professionals from beginning to end.

 The entire process is therefore uncomplicated, swift and stress-free for you as a client because the HUF specialists not only take care of the coordination of all trades, but also ensure the highest quality with every single design detail,’’ he said. 

The marketing director who noted that all devices in Huf houses can be centrally controlled, added that ‘’the house itself lives intelligently with you’’. He pointed out that ‘’you can monitor the temperature of the house wherever you are. With the house, you do not need a house help because the house does everything by itself. It is an intuitive house’’, Geiner said. 

 Explaining that a lot of planning and innovation is put into the construction processes of Huf houses, he said the shell of the houses is bullet proof because of materials used which include glass and prefab concrete. A Huf house, he said, can be constructed in four days because materials would have been ready. He however noted that the shell of Huf houses takes two weeks to construct. 

Corroborating Geiner, Huf Haus Africa Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Fagbami said Hauf houses are being introduced in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and everywhere in Nigeria.’’Our mission in Nigeria is to deliver first class housing for highly placed people,” he said. 

‘’We have on offer in Nigeria, a limited number of Huf houses’’, he said, adding that only 140 houses are produced annually across the world. Mr. Fagbami who noted that the prices of Huf houses range between two million to four million Euros, made it clear that it is meant for the super rich. ‘’Our target is people like Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Ibeto and such others. 

The houses are meant for rich people and not the poor’’. According to him, each house is requested for before construction commences, having visited Germany head office of the company to make choices from their show houses, and having agreed with architectural drawings for the housing type chosen. He said the land on which to construct the building must have been sourced by the client.