Rob d'Auvergne’s Post

Homestar covers a lot of areas of sustainable design, but it’s interesting to see where it directly impacts designers and encourages them to do better. - Framing percentage/fraction is one area I see that comes up quite often. - Another is accounting for and addressing critical thermal bridging for both heat loss and mould avoidance - And, another is effective ventilation. Hard to know how well these follow through to construction quality on site, but still good steps forward for the industry.

𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗦 Mansard roofing: is it a wall or a roof? The legislation explained Do you know what technically constitutes as a mansard? As it can be difficult to define, legislation when constructing a mansard can be confusing. Here, we try to shed some light on this and explain the benefits of using natural slate rainscreen cladding. Popularised by architect Francois Mansart in the 17th century, a mansard roof provides an easy alternative to a lateral extension in locations where space is at a premium. An ideal solution for older terraced houses or blocks of flats, mansard roofing can be retrofitted to provide additional floorspace but also often features on new-builds that incorporate traditional design features. However, in recent years, changes to the building regulations, specifically around fire safety, have impacted the materials that can be used as part of a mansard roof installation. For example, cladding can no longer be fixed using timber battens. Read all about the legislation changes here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eEGP-CmW #roof #roofing #mansard #legislation #wall #slate #natural #cladding #installation 

New to modern reinforced wall construction? 🏗️🔨 Dive into our beginner’s guide and discover the essentials for creating sturdy, stylish walls that stand the test of time. #constructionbasics #reinforcedwalls #BuildingStrong #modernconstruction

"What's it like to turn a pile of lumber into a house?" It's like watching art and math come together..... genuinely beautiful. 🏡 During the framing phase of building a house, the skeletal structure of the home takes shape.... This gorgeous #CottonwoodHeights home is really progressing nicely and our clients are getting more and more excited! Framing is a crucial step... it basically sets the foundation for the entire building process. Here's what happens: 🔹️Foundation Preparation: Before framing begins, the foundation is prepared. This includes pouring concrete footings and laying foundation walls to provide a sturdy base. 🔹️Laying the Floor Structure: Once the foundation is set, the floor structure is installed. This involves placing horizontal beams called floor joists to support the weight of the floors and walls above. 🔹️Wall Framing: With the floor structure in place, walls are framed. Vertical studs, made of wood or metal, form the framework of the walls. Window and door openings are also framed during this stage. 🔹️Roof Trusses or Rafters: After framing the walls, the roof structure is built. This may include installing prefabricated roof trusses or traditional rafters to support the roof covering. 🔹️Sheathing and Exterior Covering: Once the roof structure is complete, exterior walls and roof are covered with sheathing. This provides structural support and a base for exterior siding and roofing materials. 🔹️Window and Door Installation: Openings for windows and exterior doors are framed and then the windows and doors are installed, ensuring a proper fit and seal. 🔹️Interior Framing: After the exterior framing, interior walls are framed to define room layouts and support upper floors and the roof. 🔹️Mechanical and Electrical Rough-In: During framing, rough-in work for mechanical systems and electrical wiring is completed, ensuring all necessary components are in place within the walls and ceilings. 🔹️Inspection: A building inspector conducts an inspection to ensure framing meets local building codes and regulations, ensuring structural integrity and safety. 🔹️Closing Up: Once framing passes inspection, walls and ceilings are closed up with insulation and drywall, preparing for the next stages of construction. It's coming along nicely.... we expect a first class trophy home for our clients when it is complete. 🏆 Wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Sunday Linkedin..... What are you building?

For years the primary function of a staircase is to allow the occupier of a building to transition from floor to floor. But not anymore! A feature staircase is front and centre to the “first impression wow factor” that can make or break a person’s view/experience of that property and the importance of a well-designed staircase has really become of upmost importance in the eyes of investors, stakeholders, property owners. Staircases are no longer viewed as means of transport, but a sculpture, a talking point, an area to congregate and meet, it gives the building purpose and flow, it connects teams, it gives the building individuality and character meaning getting it right is of upmost importance. The choice is vast - materials can be timber, metal, concrete, glass or a mixture. The look can be very modern with floating treads out of the wall, defying gravity - through to a very traditional timber, cut string stair! They can be straight, curved, dog leg or spiral you can even add lighting details if you wish. The design depends on personal preference, what suits the building and space, etc. All new staircases will need to conform to the Building Regulations - rise, tread, handrail heights, widths, balustrade distances, pitch angle and headroom heights all need to be considered and designed accordingly to meet regulations. A major area of misunderstanding is that of the bespoke dynamic/ seismic engineering nature of a staircase, many have tried and many have failed, but to have intimate knowledge of the ways to manage and reduce the “bounce & wobble” through finite analysis software that can envisage the dead and live loads, control the flex, noise transfer, resonance, response factor, sway all in view of ending up with a beautiful well-designed staircase that oozes quality in every area. So if you are planning a new build, refurbishment or simply want to change your staircase make sure you do plenty of research, ask for guidance from your building designer and its always wise to involve your staircase designer/ manufacturer before you progress too far on site to avoid any abortive work. Choosing your staircase can be one of the most enjoyable and satisfying purchases when you are surrounded by those that care and have the ability to deliver. 

Type III buildings consistently run into two major hurdles: fire resistance where walls meet floors and height limitations. The IBC’s language on Type III exterior walls can sometimes be confusing, but this SBCA article clarifies how top chord bearing floor-to-wall connection detailing satisfies the required fire ratings. Additionally, when height limitations control the number of floors and units in a building, every inch of habitable space becomes critical. MiTek's Posi Joist system minimizes floor depth (as shallow as 9-1/4”) and maximizes ceiling heights by eliminated dropped ceilings. Give this article a read and if you’re interested in learning how to properly integrate top chord bearing floor trusses or other component solutions into your next project, please feel free to drop me a message here on LinkedIn. #architecuture #structuralengineering #construction #designbuild

The history of SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) construction dates back to the early 20th century. The concept originated from the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, in the 1930s, where researchers were exploring ways to use wood products more efficiently. They developed a panelized wall system where the plywood sheathing carried a portion of the axial load. In the 1930s and 1940s, renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright popularized SIPs with his Usonian houses, many of which still stand today. The modern SIP was further developed by Alden B. Dow, one of Wright's students, who created the first laminated SIP with a core of insulating foam. The oil crisis of 1973 led to a surge in interest in energy-efficient building methods, and SIPs gained popularity in the US and Canada. The development of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) in the 1980s further advanced SIP technology, making it more widely used in construction. Today, SIPs are recognized for their energy efficiency, strength, and ease of installation, making them a popular choice for residential and light commercial construction. The Sandwich Panel Houses by Alden B. Dow https://lnkd.in/g3znwdzh

Metal-plate-connected wood trusses can be assembled in nearly limitless configurations to form complex roof and ceiling profiles, including accommodating attic rooms and vaulted ceilings. They can be highly optimized, using smaller sections of premium lumber where it is of most value and less expensive lumber elsewhere. However, this can lead to serious problems when trusses are improperly specified, especially in areas subjected to high snow loads. And they are often improperly specified. #residential #buildings #design #homeowners #construction #engineering #architecture #structuralengineering #delegateddesign

Metal-plate-connected wood trusses can be assembled in nearly limitless configurations to form complex roof and ceiling profiles, including accommodating attic rooms and vaulted ceilings. They can be highly optimized, using smaller sections of premium lumber where it is of most value and less expensive lumber elsewhere. However, this can lead to serious problems when trusses are improperly specified, especially in areas subjected to high snow loads. And they are often improperly specified. #residential #buildings #design #homeowners #construction #engineering #architecture #structuralengineering #delegateddesign

Let’s dig some deep in CFS benefits compared to wood. 1. CFS is lightweight, which makes it an ideal material for interior non-structural walls, CFS is an effective option for load-bearing walls as well. 2. CFS weighs one-third less than wood studs and has the dimensional stability to maintain its structural integrity over the long term — meaning it won’t settle or sag like other structural materials. 3. Because a structural CFS framing system will not warp or settle, adjacent materials that rely on the frame’s strength, such as plaster, will be less likely to crack as well. 4. CFS is also non-combustible, providing additional fire safety benefits over other materials. 5. Some building professionals assume that all steel will rust, but CFS framing is galvanized with coatings to prevent corrosion. In fact, the NAHB Research Center measured test samples in varying North America locations and found that galvanized steel coating’s corrosion rate offered a life expectancy of 325 to over 1,000 years. When you consider the overall construction cycle, using CFS as part of a building’s structural system can reduce total construction costs. An owner who built two comparable Holiday Inns in Texas — one with wood framing and the other with CFS — discovered that the use of pre-fabricated CFS framing accelerated the hotel’s erection and required less materials and labor, saving money on construction. The general contractor of a six- story Embassy Suites hotel in Ohio estimated that the project saved $10 per square foot by using CFS framing for interior and exterior load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, and floor and roof joists. Multiple building owners have used structural CFS framing as a durable, cost-effective solution for mid-rise construction projects, from multi-family housing to institutional developments. For example, the residential complex City Green in Milwaukee, Wisconsin used structural CFS framing for three apartment towers, one of which is 10 stories above ground.