Plastics in the Construction industry.

Plastics are gaining entry itto main construction industry.
We have the new uPVC ceilings, wood plastic wall and column coverings,uPVC floor coverings and PVC material used for roof.
Its just a matter of time before an enterprising industrialist comes up with interlocking plasctic boxes that can be filled with soil and be stacked and joint together to form structural walls.
This will solve alot of problems.
This will make construction of walls and roofs much cheaper.
This would also enable soil that cant be used to create stabilised soil blocks, eg black cotton soil or sandy/salty shoreline sand, be useful in construction as an insulating infill inside the plastic interlocking containers.
This would also provide a method of recycling plastic.
It can be moulded into various patterns, colours and textures.

The plastic bricks interlock just like in a LEGO toy to create walls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmg-g9u8y7o
Interested venture capitalists/plastics manufacturers can get in touch so that we develop this into a commercially viable alternative construction method in Kenya.

The usual Roto tanks supporting thousands of liters of water show that plastics are strong enough to be used for walling since walls dont support heavy loadings except roof loading.

Plastic wallings can also be used to create vertical wall gardens, complete with internal watering systems.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/252949808/Modular_green_wall_planter_Modular_green.html

Plastics for Roofing.

PVC sheets are a common roof feature for bars,restaurants,churches and out door tents all over Kenya.

Use of PVC for roofing can be creatively introduced into residential housing. This can be used as an outdoor living area extension.
Use of different pvc roofing sheet colour generates a desirable ambience to the space within it.

For example, the outdoor sitting area for the Ehiopian restsurant at Utalli House in Nairobi CBD has a red colour which makes the interiors very exiting.

Rafikiz restaurant along Langata road also has utilised an interesting pvc roof design.

Tulips restaurant, Kileleshwa, designed by a4architect.com, is also a good example of pvc roofing being used to extend living areas of permanent buildings.

Francis Gichuhi Kamau, Architect.
info@a4architect.com