Image courtesy of Wired UK.
I grew playing with Lego bricks and I can still remember clearly the hours of fun I had; building and breaking down weird objects and contraptions. When I read the Wired article about using the same Lego concept to build real life dwellings, the first question that came to my mind was, “What took them so long?”. The ‘them’ I’m referring to is a company called Kite Bricks and the product that it’s been working on is called Smart Brick.
The bricks themselves are made out of high-strength concrete and will come in many different forms, according to its usages and requirements. The bricks have the same cylindrical studs and the space at the bottom to allow it to ‘connect’ to other bricks or base plates. According to Wired UK, these bricks also require a type of super-strong double-sided sticky tape that keeps them in place. The bricks’ internal spaces will also allow for reinforcements, such as steel bars, as well as plumbing or wiring to run through them. These slots will then be covered with removable panels for access during maintenance or repairs.
Image courtesy of Wired UK.
The entire building kit can be delivered to building sites and these would include traditional doors and windows. The construction/assembly of the bricks can be done with minimal debris and labour, as well as shorter construction times. Kite Bricks claims that these bricks will reduce up to 50% of the cost, for an eight-storey building. In addition, Smart Brick can also lead to the reduction in construction noise and wastage of building resources.
According the Kite Bricks founder Ronnie Zohar, the bricks were originally developed to improve insulation. The design allowed for the presence of air pockets and these provide a much better insulation for both hot and cold climates. In fact, Ronnie wants these bricks to feel at home in either Africa or all the way in New York.
Image courtesy of Wired UK.
The bricks are said to cost US$25 a piece and Kite Bricks would make them more affordable when the production costs are reduced. The bricks only exist as prototypes and IP protection for now but the company hopes that a further US$3 million funding will make these a reality. Kite Bricks is calling the Smart Brick a real revolution in building; a claim to which I agree completely.
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