SERVICE families in Cyprus will benefit from new seismically-compliant homes following the completion of 34 houses at RAF Akrotiri.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) worked with UK Strategic Command, contractors Ramboll UK and the Cyprus Services Provider Joint Venture to complete the properties five months ahead of schedule.
The homes, completed under the first phase of a £20 million project, have been designed to be seismically-compliant, meaning that safeguards against earthquakes, including reinforced concrete frames, have been incorporated into their construction.
34 houses have been completed for British Forces Cyprus (BFC) under the project, along with landscaping works, solar panels, drainage, water and power supply.
The project was initially commissioned to deliver 28 properties, but additional funding, which became available under UK Strategic Command’s APOLLO programme, meant it could be expanded to deliver 34 Other Ranks houses on the original site, with an additional eleven properties for officers to follow on the site of the old Akrotiri House.
Dominic Hirst, project manager, DIO major programmes & projects, said, “Providing safe, good quality homes to our personnel and their families is DIO’s priority and I am delighted to be part of the team delivering these new houses at RAF Akrotiri. The completion of these homes is the first step in our wider plan to bring seismically compliant housing to the wider British Forces Cyprus community. The project has been a huge success and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the delivery team.”
The buildings boast a number of sustainability features including solar water heating systems and photovoltaic panels. Air Source Heat Pumps have replaced previous gas heating systems and EV charging points have been installed. The project also involved the demolition of 12 buildings which previously occupied the site to make room for the new homes, as well as removal of old high and low voltage power cables, foul drainage runs and water distribution systems.
