The new technologies developed by the CSIR include a modular and expandable design of the house itself, reinforced ring beams, prefabricated plumbing, zero-waste construction methods and insulated ceiling boards.

The houses also have alternative water and energy saving options such as rainwater harvesting, solar water heating and photovoltaic panels which were all carefully considered to assist the municipality in achieving its goal to conserve scarce resources.

Internal and external painting and tiling in showers were specifically managed to enhance hygiene awareness and improve cleanliness while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the houses and the settlement in its entirety.

The municipality has used various sources of funding for the Kleinmond project, ranging from housing-subsidy funding, a municipal infrastructure grant, funding from the then Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of Science and Technology's funding amounted to R18.5 million, which translates to about R35 800 for each unit house.

The project has now been completed, except for the evaluation of the performance of the technologies and the writing of the best practices report expected to be completed after a 12-month monitoring period that will start from the day the houses will be transferred to the beneficiaries for occupation.

The CSIR report is due in September 2012.

Handing over the keys to community members on Tuesday, Pandor congratulated the new home owners noting that the project was for the people helped by the best science available in South Africa.