Building with blocks for a sustainable future
As part of its commitment to increase housing provision from 150,000 to 200,000 new homes per year over the next decade, the Government is stepping up its challenge to the construction industry to adopt more sustainable construction methods and products that will help produce the quality and quantity of housing needed to meet the UK's growing demand.
To achieve this number of new homes, the house building industry must step up to the mark and make use of the latest construction products that are sustainable, flexible and robust - and which can produce housing more quickly and cost effectively, whilst also delivering maximum service life.
Park Central - part of the award winning 261 million pounds Attwood Green regeneration scheme in Birmingham - is a leading example of this move towards sustainable mixed-use development. The project is a partnership between developer Crest Nicholson, Birmingham City Council and Optima Community Association. It will deliver more than 3,500 new apartments and freehold houses by 2010.
Tarmac Topblock was selected to provide all the blockwork for Park Central, including its lightweight Durox block range, which met the developer's requirement to use sustainable products and also helped to speed up the construction process. On completion, Park Central will represent the largest inner city mixed-use development to date to use Durox blocks.
Ian Plumley, sales and marketing director for Crest Nicholson, said: "Park Central is one our fastest selling schemes. Buyers are attracted by the high standards of the properties as well as the energy efficiency and low maintenance lifestyle they offer thanks to our use of Tarmac blocks. From a building perspective, the use of Tarmac Topblock products like Durox blocks, are critical in helping us deliver a high quality development that is not only a model for sustainability, but which is also built to last."
Robin Reed, national accounts manager for Tarmac Topblock adds: "An ever increasing focus for house builders is the adoption of sustainable policies and practices, especially for regeneration projects like Park Central. It is important that customers know they can rely on tried and tested aircrete products like our Durox blocks, which have proven durability and longevity. Not only does this reduce replacement and maintenance costs compared to lighter construction methods, the finished properties will stand the test of time, and deliver the maximum service life to tenants and owners."
Tarmac Topblock's Durox blocks use simple brick and block methodology, and have a lightweight aircrete structure that makes them easy to cut and lay, giving a finished look that is neat and clean. The larger 620mm Durox blocks sizes also enable the customer to benefit from increased productivity and faster speed of build, and because the blocks are easy to handle and simple to install, the labour costs, training, and programme times are also reduced. The flexibility of Durox blocks means they can also be used for internal party walls and partitions as well as external solid and cavity walls.
Concrete and aircrete also possess exceptional thermal mass properties, which means the temperature of a building is optimised all year round and will require much less energy to heat in winter or cool in summer. In addition, when comparing masonry construction methods to other construction processes, over a 60-year period, a timber-framed house will emit around 15 tonnes more carbon dioxide than a concrete constructed home.
