Concrete Block Houses ‘"Warm, Dry, Sound”

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28182, 22 January 1957, Page 8

Concrete Block Houses ‘"Warm, Dry, Sound”

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, Jan. 21. The use of concrete blocks promised to become one of the most attractive methods of domestic building in future years. Dr. L. Eastings, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, told members of the engineering and architecture section of the Science Congress today.

Speaking on recent developments in permanent materials for housing. Dr. Bastings said concrete block constructions were being tried in different parts of New Zealand. It was the only way concrete could be used for housing construction in New Zealand and be acceptable in all respects. Other concrete constructions had been tried, but no method had yet been found in which the remit was satisfactory structurally and acceptable aesthetically. “None of them matches up to our demands in the matter of heat insulation. Some, in fact, fall so far short of a reasonable standard as to be a positive menace,” he said.

Earthquake Risk The all-brick house had not been widely accepted throughout the Dominion in recent limes, mainly because of the earthquake hazard associated with unreinforced all-brick construction. Means of circumventing this hazard were being investigated by the Pottery and Ceramics Research Association but as yet no answer was known. The use of the concrete block as a comprehensive building unit for dwellings had not been favourably regarded by engineers and architects in New Zealand. It had been in use for a long time, but was confined chiefly to pillar and panel construction. If. however. attention was given to all necessary factors in the manufacture of the blocks and construction of the building. Dr. Bastings said, the concrete

block was one answer to the quest for a low-cost permanent housing material. He emphasised the need for sufficient drying of the blocks and the protection of the wall from moisture in the process of construction. “They provide a warm, dry home at a cost which, under good supervision and site organisation could be expected to compare favourably with any other method at present in use.” Dr. Bastings said, “and this without any lowering of material or aesthetic standards.”