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A
new
technology
of building
houses
from
lightweight
prefabricated
clay
aggregate
materials
was
developed
in Kraków
Not
all
has
been
said
in the
field
of construction
technologies.
Almost
each
year,
construction
projects
are
implemented
in a
more
economic,
quicker
and
efficient
way.
Recently,
a new
technology
of houses
built
of lightweight
prefabricated
clay
aggregate
volumetric
modules
was
developed
in Kraków.
The
technology
considerably
improves
the
course
of a
construction
process.
Factory-Like
Quality
Lightweight
clay
aggregate
is a
ceramic
material
which
became
very
popular
in recent
years
owing
to its
exceptional
usable
properties.
The
aggregate
is baked
in the
temperature
of 1,200
°C
in the
form
a small
granules,
coated
with
hard,
ceramic
casing.
Different
grain
sizes
obtained
in the
production
make
it possible
to us
the
aggregate
in various
applications.
The
smallest
grains
are
used
e.g.
to manufacture
heat
insulating
mortars.
The
most
important
advantages
of the
material
include
very
good
heat
insulation
properties
and
low
specific
weight
(250-300
kg/m³).
The
material
is six
times
lighter
than
sand,
while
being
at the
same
time
inflammable
and
resistant
to humidity,
fungi
and
mould.
The
new
technology
developed
in Kraków
has
been
very
positively
assessed
by specialists.
"The
technology
displays
may
features
of a
novelty,"
says
Prof.
Jan
Grabacki
from
the
Polytechnic
of Kraków.
"Unfortunately,
we cannot
speak
of details
today
because
the
solution
is patent
pending.
Surely,
an interesting
result
was
obtained
since
Buma
has
managed
to construct
such
lightweight
clay
aggregate
volumetric
modules
that
they
can
be transported,
using
ordinary
road
transportation
vehicles,
and
erected
on site,
with
mobile
cranes.
In the
past,
in 1968,
I was
one
of the
first
people
to utilise
the
lightweight
clay
aggregate
to construct
structural
ceilings
in well-known
students’
hostels
the
Akropol
and
the
Olimp
in Kraków,
as the
ceilings
had
to be
low
weight."
The
grounds
for
works
related
to the
elaboration
of the
technology
of prefabricated
houses
to be
made
of lightweight
clay
aggregate
materials
were
founded
on a
belief
that
also
construction
industry
would
employ
in the
future
the
methods
similar
to those
used
by e.g.
car
factories.
"Large-scale
production
does
not
mean
the
necessity
to give
up unique
structures,"
Buma
designers
claim.
"Houses
fabricated
in the
factory,
in compliance
with
the
quality
regime
that
one
can
only
dream
of when
on site,
will
greatly
differ
one
form
another.
It is
only
the
technology
and
systemic
structural
solutions
that
will
link
them."
The
new
technology
offers
also
the
possibility
to have
the
house
adjusted
to one’s
likings
at the
stage
of selecting
the
design,
colours
and
textures
of finishing
materials.
"We
are
aware
of differentiated
needs
of investors,"
says
the
Company’s
President,
Mr.
Krzysztof
Olsza.
"That’s
why
we have
initiated
co-operation
with
many
renowned
design
offices.
The
result
has
been
better
than
expected.
Designs
prepared
e.g.
by the
design
office
of Wojciech
Obtułowicz
or Czoma&Czoma
from
Katowice
will
satisfy
the
most
demanding
clients.
The
houses
are
functional
and
differentiated
in style."
More
Time
for
Oneself
The
foundation
of the
Kraków’s
concept
is the
philosophy
of making
people
involved
in the
construction
of their
homes
with
larger
freedom.
"The
construction
process
is usually
related
to unbelievable
efforts
and
overcoming
of various
obstacles.
Those
investors
who
develop
their
projects
by themselves
are
engaged
in a
long-term
investment
cycle.
A ready-made
house,
erected
with
a lightning
speed
of solid
elements,
allows
to spend
one’s
time
on important
personal
or business
issues,"
says
Mr.
Olsza.
The
lightweight
clay
aggregate
houses
have
modular
structures.
The
house
shown
on our
photos
is composed
of four
modules,
which
have
been
furnished
with
all
installations,
from
electrical
to heating
ones,
in the
construction
plant.
The
houses
are
manufactured
in two
standards.
The
first
one
provides
for
the
reception
of completely
finished
facilities,
while
the
second
one
assumes
the
erection
of houses
whose
upper
storey
will
be designated
to be
individually
finished.
Such
houses
will
be open
in nature
and
adjusted
to the
needs
of young
people,
without
sufficient
financial
resources.
The
lightweight
clay
aggregate
volumetric
module
technology
will
soon
be applied
to construction
of row
apartment
houses
and
multi-family
residential
buildings,
as well
as commercial
facilities,
like
offices,
hotels
and
service
buildings.
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