Ultra Low Impact Chalk Tile Construction System
Aims:
• To develop a structural building tile using abundant natural materials with no negative
human or environmental health impacts;
• To develop an ultra-low environmental impact manufacturing process and building
system;
• To accelerate construction sector innovation to improve sustainability performance.
Objectives:
• To develop and test a) the tile product; b) a low-impact manufacturing process for the
tile; c) an ultra-low impact building system using the tile as a primary structural component
with cost constraints comparable to market conditions;
• To secure IP for the above;
• To assess embodied energy, carbon and water impacts of the tile, manufacturing
process and build system;
This project will test low impact manufacturing options for a chalk-based tile using a building
system where the tile is the primary structural component, applying sophisticated construction
engineering previously tested in the multi-award winning Pines Calyx ultra low carbon
building.
The project is innovative because it aims:
a) To create a break-through in construction product manufacturing with very low
embodied environmental impacts, using abundant natural materials with zero waste and no
harmful health impacts;
b) To develop a system suited to localised manufacturing for building affordable ultralow
impact homes and buildings;
c) To benefit a range of TSB programmes i.e. priorities 1 and 5 of the Low Impact
Building Innovation Platform and the Modern Built Environment KTN;
d) To establish a ‘design classic’ to market the products and services and quickly
establish brand value;
e) To create a product, manufacturing process, build system and business which
maximise sustainability benefits (economic, social and environmental) and not merely
minimise negative impacts.
The project will initiate an R&D programme that aims to unlock a range of paradigm shifting
ultra low impact construction models for the circular economy.