Designing Timber issue 10 for online - Flipbook - Page 50
———— U-BUILD: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX ————
What can be built with U-Build?
The system can be used to make fully
weather-tight external buildings or to create
internal ‘pods’ within existing buildings. It can
make permanent structures such as homes
or o昀케ces, or temporary structures like mobile
classrooms or site huts. The system has been
used for projects up to 2.5 storeys in height.
Within existing buildings it can make internal
partition walls and bookcases. In their most
basic form, U-Build boxes work really well as
rugged storage boxes.
U-Build has provided two substantial house
extensions now; while entire newbuild houses do
occasionally come through – usually via Studio
Bark, as that requires a full architectural service.
U-Build is a lightweight system so generally
requires much less dense foundations.
UNDERSTANDING
Nest House is a great example of that: a
single-storey home that uses no concrete
foundations at all. Instead the three-bedroom
home is supported on a compacted hardcore
base, with adjustable (and removable)
modular support feet.
←
Involving and
engaging the
community in the
process is a key part of
the Multimax ethos
U-Build has passed a full-scale load test, in
which a small section of wall was able to resist
a one tonne lateral load without destruction.
The system achieved an airtightness of 4-5
times better than current building regulations
requirements prior to any airtightness
membrane being used. With the addition
of the airtightness membrane and thirdparty windows and doors it can approach
Passivhaus levels of airtightness.
Above: Box House, a large 2-bedroom
home in Bicester
Below: Bloc Pod, a garden studio
We'll leave the panels o昀昀 some
of the walls so they can 昀椀t wires
through. We can then put the
extra layers on for trades to
carry out the second 昀椀x. The
plumbing and MEP is much
the same. With some of the
pipework and wiring systems in
old buildings we will obviously
have to cut around things.”
The future of U-Build
“We’re still providing many
garden studios, alongside
interior 昀椀t-outs. These tend
to be very straightforward,
and we can always give any
support over the phone or by
videocall. With larger projects
- university or commercial
builds - there are several
clients who have consistently
returned to U-Build."
DESIGNING TIMBER
50
NOV/DEC 2025
