Comment
Off-site fabrication
Did you know that the term ‘Breezeblock’ refers to the usual constituent of this basic building component. used worldwide. Breeze refers to the ash, or cinders, with which it is made. They come in varying densities, the lighter ones unsuitable for carrying loads such as beams or being used in walls and foundations. What of its future? Basic house bricks might appear to be a good substitute, but we closed down most of the major kilns when we fell in love with concrete – so now we have a shortage, with no chance of building new kilns with their sprawling acreage and old-fashioned kilns.
So how do you feel about light guage steel frames, manufactured off-site to exact (and bespoke) dimensions according to building plans, and erected within hours by half a dozen trained craftsmen. Developed by the firm Fusion Building Systems, these are being trialled by Barratt Developments, and they are designed to save on delivery costs requiring five times less transport, and speed up construction schedules, a complete steel frame for a house can be erected within a day..
Just one of a range of off-site fabrication examples, and a material that probably has its own set of pros and cons – (won’t be subject to dry rot!) - but indicative of the search for new building techniques, materials in a drive towards lowering costs, reducing emissions and all the other imperatives we have today.
David Chadwick
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