Bloca - Sustainable Building Blocks

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£262,740

Jan. 1, 2021

June 30, 2021

The Bloca Project is the development of a new construction method for housing. It has been developed as response to the exposed fragility of global supply chains from Covid-19\. The concept is based around decarbonising and circular economy principles, with the maximum possible sustainable content, and a design approach which allows the entire component to be reused at the end of its first application

Scottish Gaelic for "block", Bloca enables rapid building construction, is materially efficient yet structurally stable, highly energy-efficient, sustainably and locally sourced, and adds economic value to local resources. It is a flexible system that can be reused time and again, allowing buildings to be constructed, extended, modified, rebuilt and easily recycled.

The standard nature of Bloca means that it literally fills the gap between custom full SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) construction (bespoke manufacture - expensive, large and heavy) and full build at site (time & expertise consuming).

The assembled team represents a blend of innovation, experience, materials expertise, customer input and research capability:

**4c Engineering**, the lead partner, are an innovation & engineering consultancy with a track record of leading technology development from complex wave power devices, through to aquaculture innovation and novel PPE. 4c Engineering will apply an engineering innovation & manufacturing mindset to conventional construction.

**Macbeath Architects/Thermopassive**, another innovative company, are a Highland based architecture firm with nearly 40 years experience, and they are experts in the design of SIP-based domestic constructions..

**Norbord**, the local producer of OSB (oriented strand board), will provide technical advice on the material properties, and provide sample material.

The **University of the Highlands and Islands** (UHI) are contributing expertise from their Construction & the Built Environment Team.

Providing customer input, **Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)** represent the public sector. They have a strong interest in developing innovative, sustainable construction for their showpiece Inverness Campus site.

Additional customer input will come from **Pat Munro Ltd**, an established private-sector house builder with a track record in innovation. They own the Carbon Dynamic modular housing business and build affordable housing for a local housing association.

**Capella IP** will support the project by providing a practical, comprehensive approach to Intellectual Property.

The primary theme for this project is localisation of supply chain as response to Covid-19 crisis, however it also strongly reflects these themes:

* decarbonising and circular economy - (project has sustainability at its core)
* geographic or regionally targeted innovation (this is particularly suited to timber-rich, remote and rural areas)
* innovation that is aimed at commercial or residential users (the product can be used for self-build or commercial)
* climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability (the net effect of the above points).