A Typical Construction Site Here In Hurghada

propertywatch1 · #1 06-11-2007, 04:58 PM

Hello
I just thought i would share with some of you readers out there the typical view of a construction site here in Hurghada. Here are just a few photos of a site you would see in most places here. Note for example a concrete pad foundation that has been constructed in two layers with a bitumen layer between aand re-enforced with steel bar. Next stage you will see the photo with what looks like a car park structure this is built to the required height of the building.
Then brickwork is layed between the floors and between each room and apartment with the outside brickwork finished a close to the finished shape and design to the plans before it is covered in cement and finally painted.
Take a look at the photo showing the accomadition of the night watchman complete with cloths line and outside bench/bed. Please remember i=ve just posted this to show an insight into building work here. It looks basic and i suppose it is but it works.

awahee123 · #2 09-11-2007, 09:36 PM

Hi redsea what would you say is the typical life of this type of build?.
Also do you think this type of build is safe?.
Do you know if there are any type of governate inspections on this type of build or is it just left upto the architect?

Peter Mitry · #3 10-11-2007, 07:05 AM

I don't think there is much wrong with the build quality; what is deficient is health & safety standards, they are virtually non existent! The first time I visited Desert Pearl with a group of agents some shuttering collapsed on the fifth floor just as we reached the ground - it landed 20 feet behind us! A very close shave as no one seems to wear hard hats. In Europe you wouldn't even be allowed on site during construction.

propertywatch1 · #4 10-11-2007, 01:44 PM

Hi All
Just to add some more photos to the previous ones i took of this typical construction. this is a few days on and the foundations to one of the buildings is at its next stage where they shutter off inside and on top of the concrete pad see pic.

The other photos show an almost surrounded building in wood scaffolding bound together by rope soaked in water. This is in preperation of the finish mahara (cement rendering) to the exteroir.

Note the wood is offered up through holes left in the brickwork so it can be lashed from the inside of the brickwork to make it ridged. No planks of wood here all wood used is the same size.

Now it gets interesting to see how the outside will look its amazing what it looks like after the mahara (cement render is applied) then maybe some decoration around the window reveals (openings) this is done from gypsum (plaster) made on site by hand.

You will see what i mean later as it develops, I hope this will give some of you back home an insite into the construction process. I know some of you will have first hand knowledge but then again some wont.

In answer awahee123's question and agreeing with peter health and safety would have a field day here as in most countries that use this type of construction and thats quite a few. Also i see nothing wrong with the build in fact if you had seen how much re-bar had been used in the foundations and the support pillars and on each of the concrete floors its not going anywhere.

propertywatch1 · #5 20-11-2007, 12:45 PM

Hi All
Latest pictures taken today. As you can see the two construction site are in the next phase one now has the brickwork complete and is in the process of having the cement render applied.

Take a look at the two guys appliying the cement and then smoothing over with a piece of box metal aluminium to get the correct thickness.

The other site has now completed the wooden formers for the supports for the concrete pillars. In the formers you will see some have the metal re-bar cages used to give strength to the concrete.

If you take a close look on the right hand side you can see the wooden jig used to bend the re-bar into the correct shape. No machines here all by hand.