Airtec Blocks on Channel 4's 'Grand Designs'

On April 2nd 2008, the Channel 4 program “Grand Designs” featured the construction of a remarkable 3 bedroom bungalow in Walderslade, Kent in which Airtec ‘Large Format’ aerated blocks have been used for the internal walls.

This is a self-build project undertaken by Jo Tarling and her husband Paul for her parents to live in. This bungalow was the last design of the late architect Richard Paxton who was given the following overall brief:
  • Be an eco-friendly building
  • Have a highly contemporary design
  • Have a high degree of sustainability
The bungalow showcases many different but complimentary products within one build, including a ground to air passive ventilation system, passive heat recovery ventilation, underfloor heating & cooling and a rainwater harvesting system to provide water for flushing toilets, watering the garden and washing. Jo was keen to find a product for her internal walls which would satisfy the following criteria:
  • Have excellent thermal efficiency
  • Be low weight and so be easy and safe to handle
  • Quick to build with, good workability, easy to shape and cut
  • An eco-friendly product which would fit in with the overall ethos of this project
It was recognised that the Airtec aerated block range from Thomas Armstrong Concrete Blocks Ltd fit the bill exactly!
 
Airtec aerated concrete blocks are the most thermally efficient of any building block currently available in the UK. They are very low weight and are manufactured in the newest and most advanced process in the UK. Over 80% of the raw materials used in Airtec products are recycled materials which would otherwise go to landfill.
 
In this project, the ‘Thin-Joint’ method of construction was used. This Modern Method of Construction uses 2mm mortar joints resulting in significantly improved thermal insulation and air-tightness of the building. These benefits were further enhanced by the use of Airtec ‘Large Format’ (620mm x 430mm) blocks meaning a lower proportion of mortar joints in the walls, even less thermal bridging and even better air tightness.
 
This method is a much quicker and easier building technique than traditional mortar construction which in this case was critical due to the extremely tight time constraints of the filming schedule. A bricklayer and two labourers completed the work in a few days despite the fact they had never used this technique before. Initial training and demonstrations were provided by Thin Joint Technology Ltd.
 
All Airtec products are suitable for Thin Joint construction and possess the highest possible level of dimensional tolerance for any masonry product, category ‘TLMB’.
 
We are extremely proud to have been associated with this unique and remarkable project and wish Jo and her family many happy years with this building and any future projects.  
   
 
3rd April 2008