The world's first high-insulating high-strength concrete means more space and better insulation in new buildings

 

IPU plays a central role in development of sustainable concrete housing which has taken a giant step forward with the new project Connovate. Supported by a grant of DKK 15 million from The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation (Højteknologifonden), Connovate can realise the world's first high-insulation concrete elements made form high-strength concrete.

Connovate is the only project in the building sector which has gained financial support by The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation, which emphasizes the tremendous expectations for the result. And, indeed prospects of next to revolutionary development of traditional concrete building elements are held out by the participating parties that, besides IPU, also comprise research departments at DTU Civil Engineering, the element manufacturer Ambercon, HPC, the manufacturer Contec and Arkitema. The Creative Manager of the project with Arkitema, Karsten Bro, explains:
"Through the innovation process we have succeeded in developing a strong concrete element which without thermal bridges may conform to energy class 1 with a thickness of only 25 cm against the 50 to 60 cm of traditional outer wall elements."

 

The benefits regarding weight and handling - and thereby energy consumption - are evident. Moreover, the implication of the reduced thickness of the new concrete elements is that, now, in a traditional flat with the same gross area it is possible to have an extra playroom as opposed to conventional element housing. Finally, these flats will be much brighter as more light will pass through a window mounted in a 25 cm thick wall than one of 60 cm. At present, IPU attends to the task of developing concepts for easy and energy efficient assembly and of investigating the possibilities of establishing an optimized product platform for these elements. Popularly speaking, these new elements will mean more space, less waste, more light and a better heating economy in the housing of the future.

 

Sustainable housing for African townships

Connovate contributes to a project supported by Danida, which in collaboration with the South African government aims to develop a type of house which may serve as home to people without means. Recently, Connovate shipped a container carrying a prototype of such a house to South Africa where it will be set up and tested. The house is to be tested and compared to a number of different houses in order to find the right model to replace the many shanties that are characteristic of the poor South African townships. The plan is to clear the townships and replace the shanties by new solid prefabricated houses which are insulated much better against both the scorching summer heat and the cold winter nights. Some time during spring, it will be determined whether the Connovate house will be the one from which the South Africans may prosper in future. If this house becomes a success, the road will be paved for a house designed by Connovate, which in its final design is thought to comprise heating pipes cast into the concrete/the roof, which may contribute to production of hot water. Furthermore, there will be rainwater harvesting on the roof and solar power cells that among other things may ensure green energy in the houses.