Project Overview
Location: Zimbabwe
Building size: 36 × 7.8 m
Building footprint: Approximately 280 m²
Usable area：560m²
Structure: Two-story prefabricated building
Application: Office and staff accommodation
On-site structural installation: 20 days
Completion date: August 2023
A Combined Workplace and Living Space
In 2023, a client in Zimbabwe approached Dongji House with a clear requirement: to build a two-story facility that could bring offices and staff accommodation together in one building.
The client wanted more than a basic temporary structure. The building needed to support daily business operations, provide comfortable living conditions for employees and remain economical to transport and assemble.
The local climate also had to be considered. Zimbabwe receives strong sunlight for much of the year, but concentrated rainfall during the rainy season makes roof drainage particularly important. Power interruptions in the area meant that the roof also needed to support a future solar energy system.
Based on these conditions, Dongji House developed a 36 × 7.8 m prefabricated building with an approximate footprint of 280 m².
Ground-Floor Office Layout
The ground floor was planned as a complete working environment rather than a single open office.
It includes general offices for employees, a financial office for handling accounts and a separate office for the company owner. A large meeting room provides enough space for team discussions, project reviews and meetings with visiting clients.
Separating the different departments gives employees a more organized workplace while providing the privacy required for financial and management activities.
Nine Staff Bedrooms on the Second Floor
The upper floor was designed as staff accommodation and includes nine bedrooms, a kitchen and a shared dining area.
Privacy and hygiene were important to the client. Instead of relying on a shared bathroom at the end of the corridor, every bedroom was designed with its own private bathroom.
This arrangement allows employees to live on-site more comfortably and avoids several people having to share the same shower and toilet facilities. It is particularly suitable for long-term staff accommodation.
Placing the residential area above the offices also allowed the client to provide both functions without constructing a second building or using more land.
Coated Glass for Daylight and Solar Control
The client wanted the interior to receive as much natural light as possible. To achieve this, glass was installed along the external side of the corridors on both floors.
The large glazed sections allow daylight to enter the circulation areas and make the long building feel more open. They also give the façade a cleaner and more modern appearance.
Because of the strong local sunlight, Ford blue reflective coated glass was selected. Its blue-toned surface helps manage glare and part of the solar exposure while maintaining good daylight inside the building.
The result balances natural lighting, visual comfort and exterior appearance without changing the practical layout of the office and accommodation areas.
Four-Slope Roof for the Rainy Season
Although Zimbabwe has abundant sunshine, rainfall can become concentrated during the rainy season. For a long two-story building, roof drainage needs to be considered before production.
If water collects on the roof or enters through poorly protected connections, it may damage wall panels, insulation and interior finishes. Repairs can also become more difficult once both floors are in daily use.
To reduce this risk, Dongji House designed a four-slope roof for the project. The roof guides rainwater toward the outer edges instead of allowing it to remain on the top surface.
In addition to improving drainage, the roof protects the main modular structure and gives the completed building a more permanent architectural appearance.
Reinforced Roof for Solar Panels
Power interruptions were another practical concern at the project location. The client planned to use rooftop solar panels to provide an additional source of electricity for the offices and staff accommodation.
This requirement was considered during the structural design stage. Dongji House reinforced the relevant roof-supporting sections so they could carry the expected load of the solar panel system.
Planning the additional load before production avoided the need for major structural modifications after installation and provided a safer base for the future energy system.
Packing and Transportation to Zimbabwe
Because Zimbabwe is landlocked, the project required both international shipping and inland transportation. Packing efficiency efficiency therefore had a direct effect on the total project cost.
Dongji House supplied 18 prefabricated modules. The steel frames, wall panels, doors, windows and related components were packed in knock-down form, allowing all 18 modules to be loaded into one 40HQ shipping container.
After arriving at the seaport, the shipment continued to Zimbabwe through a combination of rail and road transportation.
Supplying the main components as one coordinated package also made it easier for the client to receive, identify and organize the materials at the construction site.
Installation by a Local Team
The client had local workers availabale, but the team had no previous experience assembling this type of prefabricated building.
Dongji House therefore arranged technical personnel to provide installation guidance and training. The local workers were shown how to identify the components, follow the assembly sequence and complete the main structural connections correctly.
With this support, the team completed the main on-site structural installation in approximately 20 days.
The process demonstrated an important advantage of the knock-down modular system: local workers can complete the installation when the components are clearly marked and professional guidance is available. This reduces dependence on a large overseas construction team and helps control labor costs.
Does a Prefabricated Building Require Maintenance?
A prefabricated building can be used for many years when it is correctly designed, installed and maintained. Like any building, however, it should be inspected regularly.
For this project, the most important maintenance points include the roof sheets, drainage areas, waterproof connections, door and window sealant, steel coating and wall panel joints.
Inspections before and after the rainy season can help identify loose fasteners or damaged seals before they lead to water ingress. The rooftop solar supports should also be checked periodically to ensure that all connections remain secure.
Most maintenance work is straightforward because individual panels, seals and fasteners can be repaired or replaced without rebuilding the entire structure.
Project Result
The project was completed in August 20,2023. It brought offices, meeting areas, management rooms, nine private bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and a dining area together in one two-story building.
More importantly, the design responded to the conditions of the actual site. The glass façade improved natural lighting, the four-slope roof addressed seasonal rainfall, the reinforced roof prepared the building for solar power, and the knock-down packing method reduced transportation requirements.
From the initial layout to production, packing, transportation planning and installation guidance, Dongji House coordinated the different parts of the project around the client’s operational needs.
For dealers, government contractors, construction companies and project developers, Dongji House can provide customized prefabricated building solutions based on site dimensions, required functions, local climate, transportation conditions and applicable construction requirements.
EN
