The Construction Index Ltd’s Post

This project hopes to set new benchmarks for mass timber construction. Interesting read. We'll be watching this with interest. Could be a game changer in high-rise construction. #MassTimberConstruction #Construction #SustainableConstruction

Deteriorating high-rise towers, a lack of community space and a growing concern over fires sparked the transformation of Gascoigne Estate by Be First Regeneration Limited, the regeneration arm of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Farrimond House is the first net-zero carbon in operation scheme to be delivered as part of the estate’s transformation. Working with Pitman Tozer Architects, we developed a part precast and part in-situ concrete design that balances carbon efficiency and buildability. This hybrid approach, a refinement from the original fully precast design, reduced embodied carbon by 5-10%, without compromising on durability or fire resilience. Associate Nathan Fieldsend adds, “If you think of the construction industry as having a carbon budget, then I would argue that buildings like this are exactly where you should be spending it – using concrete to create long-lasting, affordable and fire-resilient housing.” Read our interview with The Concrete Centre to see why Farrimond House might provide a template for estate regeneration: https://hubs.la/Q02-vrNX0

Urban downtowns are sometimes called concrete jungles because the apartments and office buildings that make up skylines from New York to Vancouver are generally made of — what else? — concrete. But that could change with a push underway to build more tall buildings with another material: mass timber. Mass timber is an umbrella category of materials made by binding layers of wood together to create larger, stronger elements like panels and beams. Proponents say it's faster and easier to build with than concrete and steel, and less carbon-intensive to boot. If concrete and steel are the Coke and Pepsi of highrise construction, mass timber has so far been more of a generic-brand cola. Mass timber made up just one per cent of all building construction materials in North America in 2022, according to an RBC report. https://lnkd.in/ehNtw7wN

While brick remains prevalent in #residential construction, there has been a discernible uptick in the adoption of alterative building materials.    💡Explore modern construction trends with insights from Greg Devine, Founder and CEO of Griffin Group, in his latest article! 

A New Generation of Projects Could Reshape the Residential-Construction Market "Get ready for a revolution in the residential construction market! The rise of a new generation of projects is set to completely reshape the industry. From sustainable and eco-friendly designs to innovative and efficient building techniques, these projects are pushing the boundaries and changing the game. But it's not just about the structures themselves. These projects are also focused on creating dynamic and livable spaces for homeowners. With a focus on functionality and modern aesthetics, these homes are redefining what it means to live in style. As the demand for more sustainable and innovative housing grows, we can expect to see a major shift in the way we approach residential construction. Are you ready to be a part of this exciting new era? Stay tuned for updates and be a part of the conversation. #residentialconstruction #innovation #sustainability #newgeneration #architecture"

The Residential and Mixed-Use buildings project in Gledswood Hills adopts innovative construction methods to address the housing crisis in Sydney with practical efficiency. The project introduces modular steel frame construction, including the Slimdek concrete floor slab system, reducing the need for extensive formwork usage while also speeding up construction time and costs significantly. By prefabricating components off-site, the project will ensure expedited construction timelines whilst minimizing costs. This accelerated pace contributes to mitigating the housing shortage by swiftly delivering over 358 new homes to meet the growing demand in the region.   In essence, the residential project for Gledswood Hills represents a harmonious integration of efficiency, speed, and sustainability through the innovative application of a “kit of parts” construction system. By leveraging the inherent advantages of steel and modular architecture, this project will set a new standard for contemporary residential development, promising high-quality homes delivered with efficiency and precision.

🚧 The Future is Hybrid: The Next-Gen Walls That Use 50% Less Wood 🪵 A revolutionary approach in construction is here, with timber-and-concrete sandwich designs that promise to reduce wood usage by up to 50% while maintaining superior load-bearing capacity. 🔎 Key Highlights: 1️⃣ Innovative Design: Developed by Metsä Wood, the “Kerto-Ripa®” wall elements allow continuous wall spans up to 20 meters, eliminating the need for load-bearing partition walls. This innovation makes it ideal for high-stress buildings like apartment complexes and offices, enabling thinner wall constructions that maximise usable floor space. 2️⃣ Material Efficiency: This new wall construction technique saves significant amounts of wood and enhances sustainability. Metsä Wood's calculations indicate a 50% reduction in raw materials for ground floor walls in an eight-story building compared to traditional solid structures without compromising structural integrity. 3️⃣ Accelerating Prefab Construction: The Kerto-Ripa® walls are paving the way for increased adoption of prefab construction methods in Europe. Collaboration with companies like VVR Wood Oy is driving the development of hybrid timber-and-concrete systems, further opening up business opportunities in the market. 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can innovations like the Kerto-Ripa® wall elements reshape the future of sustainable construction? What challenges might arise in the transition to more hybrid building materials? 🔗 To learn more about Metsä Wood’s innovative timber-and-concrete sandwich walls, click here: https://lnkd.in/grUvg2xU #Construction #Sustainability #HybridBuilding #Timber #Innovation #PrefabConstruction #MetsäWood #KertoRipa #BuildingMaterials #EcoFriendlyDesign

🚧 The Future is Hybrid: The Next-Gen Walls That Use 50% Less Wood 🪵 A revolutionary approach in construction is here, with timber-and-concrete sandwich designs that promise to reduce wood usage by up to 50% while maintaining superior load-bearing capacity. 🔎 Key Highlights: 1️⃣ Innovative Design: Developed by Metsä Wood, the “Kerto-Ripa®” wall elements allow continuous wall spans up to 20 meters, eliminating the need for load-bearing partition walls. This innovation makes it ideal for high-stress buildings like apartment complexes and offices, enabling thinner wall constructions that maximise usable floor space. 2️⃣ Material Efficiency: This new wall construction technique saves significant amounts of wood and enhances sustainability. Metsä Wood's calculations indicate a 50% reduction in raw materials for ground floor walls in an eight-story building compared to traditional solid structures without compromising structural integrity. 3️⃣ Accelerating Prefab Construction: The Kerto-Ripa® walls are paving the way for increased adoption of prefab construction methods in Europe. Collaboration with companies like VVR Wood Oy is driving the development of hybrid timber-and-concrete systems, further opening up business opportunities in the market. 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can innovations like the Kerto-Ripa® wall elements reshape the future of sustainable construction? What challenges might arise in the transition to more hybrid building materials? 🔗 To learn more about Metsä Wood’s innovative timber-and-concrete sandwich walls, click here: https://lnkd.in/gk7DQ5vZ #Construction #Sustainability #HybridBuilding #Timber #Innovation #PrefabConstruction #MetsäWood #KertoRipa #BuildingMaterials #EcoFriendlyDesign

Project Thurrock: Part 2 We’ve successfully completed the raft foundation, with all concrete poured accurately and approved by the council. The next phase of the project will be the brickwork #Construction #Building #Architecture #CivilEngineering #ConstructionSite #HomeBuilding #Concrete #Brickwork #Foundation #StructuralEngineering #ConstructionLife #Contractor #BuildingSite #ConstructionProject #ConstructionManagement

What explains the uptick in #masstimber? It’s a combination of engineering advances, domestic sourcing, plus critical building code changes that allow projects to get increasingly spacious. Mass timber buildings are widely regarded as considerably more sustainable than their concrete and steel counterparts. Developers have taken notice, seeing mass timber as an attractive option for meeting the challenges of construction efficiency, sustainability and tenant appeal. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/gd9YYnap Gabriel Frank Commercial Property Executive Arnie Didier