Green Building Forum - ASMET monocoque building system Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:14:13 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2087#Comment_2087 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2087#Comment_2087 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:24:45 +0100 Mike George ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2090#Comment_2090 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2090#Comment_2090 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:23:08 +0100 Guest
Fair enough its taken twelve years mainly because academics, including British Standards said the material needed to be proven in use and have a track record. So what use is academia when you have to prove the material in use before they would even consider a standard. Maybe I'm a bit biased against academia because its not really recognised in my (IT) industry - real life experience counts more than studying. Seriously though I can honestly say that my university degree was useless in the IT world. There has to be a balance between academia and 'hands-on' builders. Maybe the balance is too much in the direction of academia at the moment. Which may cause progress to be too slow for the current global issues within construction. Any advice, help or contacts in this area would be much appreciated.
 
Flat roofs have proved beyond doubt the products ability to resist weather and thermal movement fracture. I could point out thousand metre plus flat roofs without expansion joints that prove this beyond doubt. I personally know of one bitumen flat roof 1,500 sq metres which historically had cost £10,000 per year in maintenance and renewal costs. This was covered with roofkrete (one piece no expansion joints) several years ago and now saves the owner £10,000 every year, that is some saving in time and materials. These are facts and most definitely not smoke and mirrors. If you want I could organise a viewing of them.
 
 
Tom
ASMET was only introduced in November. John Manniex is talking to lots of people. Building Regulation Approval is progressing. Its not a question of finance its making the right choices to spread the thing around and avoid vested interest. All the tools have been developed. All the R&D is finished and the performance of the material is proved beyond any doubt. The main goal of ASMET is a structural building system. I personally feel it would better if all the bits that go into making an ecological home are sorted from ASMET. However, John feels he just needs to protect the standard and specification of the material to prevent it being ‘screwed up’ and the rest of the building is up to the developer to decide. The product is adaptable and the project is open to everyone especially designers who want to promote their own eco-house design to developers. John feels that he has done as much as he can too provide a platform for all you ecological experts to have a field day producing some of the world's most sustainable buildings at realistic prices. What more do you think should be done on the ASMET side?]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2092#Comment_2092 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2092#Comment_2092 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:23:43 +0100 steveleigh ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2094#Comment_2094 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2094#Comment_2094 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:26:34 +0100 Ads ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2098#Comment_2098 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2098#Comment_2098 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:01:49 +0100 Jeff Norton (NZ) ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2101#Comment_2101 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2101#Comment_2101 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:17:06 +0100 Peter A Posted By: Jeff Norton (NZ)Being a more of a hands on type designer, my next step would be to design a Hockerton ASMET style developement (size & cost), with like minded designer, consultants and engineers, atract a developer/landowner, get design approved by local council/building department (using your certified testing etc) and build them, occupy them and then monitor them! The learning curve will be huge but the end result will be reference point for all further projects.

Jeff I agree, but perhaps to limit the cost and risk a few one off homes, I have a piece of land in mind and would welcome the opportunity to apply my skills to do this, the problem is I'm an individual and funds are limited to say the least!]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2104#Comment_2104 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2104#Comment_2104 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:47:52 +0100 Tuna
What I've observed is that our caravan has thin walls, impervious to vapour and air and relatively easily moulded to suit the shape of the 'building' (37' x 12'). It has no thermal mass, and provides minimal insulation. The result is that cyclical heating and cooling during the day and night necessitate additional use of heaters right through into the warmer seasons, and continuously during the winter. During the summer we spend most of the day and night will all windows and doors open, and fans running. Condensation is a problem - and reducing humidity in the caravan is not a practical option as it makes the atmosphere quite unpleasantly dry. For all the beneficial qualities of the enormous continuous aluminium sheets used to make the walls, problems occur where doors, windows, service access, ventilation ducts and even cat flaps all break the skin - leaks, air gaps and so on.

This sounds like a very clever material looking for a 'killer application' to me, though flat and green roofing sound like an excellent use.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2108#Comment_2108 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2108#Comment_2108 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:50:16 +0100 Mark Siddall If ASMET is to find its market these financial types will need to be brought on board otherwise projects will never gain finance. Its hard enough to get these people to trust timber frame never mind something quite so radical and new. Without this backing ASMET will be the playground for the rich and famous who can afford to build without recourse to any of the above.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2129#Comment_2129 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2129#Comment_2129 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:40:08 +0100 Guest The mono-skilling of individuals has prevented a diverse vernacular as the masses have been trained into buying bloody persimmon homes!
My thoughts:
1. Lime testing should be carried out by specialists with experience, confidentiality agreed of course.
2. Sections and models - possibly 1:5/ 1:20 should be exhibited for mass exposure.
3. A short specifiers awareness/training course should be produced that contributes to CPD and raises the profile.
4. A case study, lived in building should be designed and constructed then monitored for performance.
5. Shelving, coat hooks, kitchen wall units, etc!! Aaah.. Stuck in the mentality of not changing, progressing, doing as we do now out of habit and a pathetic inability to change, which is what has got us into this enviromess. An independent structure and internal fixings is fine and if you want kitchen units you can specify them for your modular kitchen volume that is constructed in a factory under controlled conditions, reducing waste, time, tea and poor details.
6. Build with basements as a way of definitely keeping the lightweight structure down. It has been proven to be financially efficient and the soil could be dumped back on top of the green roof! Also a demi-basement can still have raised windows at ground level and passive ventilation.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2134#Comment_2134 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2134#Comment_2134 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:23:49 +0100 Guest I agree with last post, dig asmet into the ground and use the soil as a proper deep soil roof garden instead of the pathetic sedum roofs. Asmet walls look like a retaining structure so a basement would be low cost and basements are an ideal thermal store. I think earth semi-earth covered are the real advance of asmet all we ever needed was a structural material which is inherently water proof!]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2137#Comment_2137 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2137#Comment_2137 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:44:55 +0100 Peter A ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2139#Comment_2139 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2139#Comment_2139 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:06:57 +0100 fostertom Posted By: GuestAn independent structure and internal fixings is fine and if you want kitchen units you can specify them for your modular kitchen volume that is constructed in a factory
I don't understand what you're proposing in answer to this significant problem - "independent structure"?? It's vital that over a lifetime DIYers should be free to alter things themselves, not rely on factory-installed original equipment.

PS I had to fake this quote because it's not possible to quote off a previous page (or from another thread). Keith, I know this is on the wishlist but truly I find it a big drawback; abilty to assemble quotes makes for e.g. concise posting on inter-relating diverse issues.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2145#Comment_2145 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2145#Comment_2145 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:19:03 +0100 fostertom Posted By: steveleighASMET does not need foundations. All other methods of building need firm foundations including all the eco-homes, straw bale, rammed earth, clay blocks, timber frame, steel frame etc., all need foundations and most need steel reinforced concrete ground floor slabs. The actual quantity of cement and steel is conveniently forgotten in some of these builds because it is below ground level never to be seen again. The fact is that foundations can use more cement than a whole ASMET structure. A typical ASMET house of 120sq m floor area will use only about 4.5 tonne of cement because it does not require foundations. A firm foundation for a traditional house of this size will use at least that amount in foundations alone and a further 1.5 tonne in a floor slab. That is 6 tonne of cement per house before the build is started! Trench fill or piles and ground beams can use over 10 tonne of cement per house foundation depending on ground conditions, and ground conditions will get much worst as more and more difficult brownfield sites are built on. The amount of embodied energy in ground works for other house structures should be discounted from the already meagre amount of cement used in an ASMET structure.True - "All other methods of building need firm foundations" but despite recent upping of foundation depth and strength rules-of-thumb, more awareness of soils, proximity of trees etc, settlement still happens. "All other" buildings of strong, hard modern type may then crack and require remedial work; or if of traditional softer type they may creak and settle down in a less troublesome way.
In either case, they respond to foundation settlement (which is always uneven) by distorting. It's in attempt to limit this distortion that "All other methods of building need firm foundations". The claim is that "ASMET does not need foundations" because an ASMET monocoque won't so distort, whatever uneven foundation settlement may occur. The picture is the ASMET box sitting on a surface bed of gravel, where it floats (may tilt all-of-a-piece but that's OK?) while the ground underneath rocks'n'rolls as per usual. To me, that's yet another proposition that ASMET has to prove, because there's no room for even partial failure. A monococque is inherently intolerant of distortion - it has to stay rigid, or fail catastrophically. Unless ASMET really can be trusted to float, intact, for a lifetime, regardless of unheavals beneath, then it needs guaranteed immovable foundations, even better than "All other methods of building".
What distortion forces would an ASMET monocoque have to resist, without hint of structural weakness? The shell I saw weighs 14 tonnes. John Manniex jacked it up on diagonal corners and we enjoyed running from side to side, making it rock, without damage. I suspect that's a trivial test, compared to real-life. Add linings, claddings, contents - I'd guess stresses due to dead-load would triple that 14 tonnes. Then wind load, snow load - even in a conventional heavy building these are big in the calcs; in a lightweight, live-loads would dwarf the dead-load stresses. Superimpose long-term creep, and diurnal and seasonal thermal stress and ground-heave cycles on possibly already stressed-to-the-limit elements (there's always a first-fail weak point somewhere), over a lifetime - a test of durability that can't be over-estimated. An ASMET shell actually has fail points all over it - every joint line is obviously far weaker than the fomidable integrity of the moulded panel.
So until convinced, I'd say an ASMET monocoque needs really good, that means deep, foundations. Great! Because at last here's a way to do semi-basements, as Guest and also Guest have enthusiastically pointed out. Greywater tanks, composting toilets, pingpong space - the life-enhancing benefits of such 'free' space are endless, and setting the lowest main floor up half a flight from the garden has interesting effects too. Unlike northern Europe and America, UK has no tradition of semi-basements (except in Georgian/Victorian terraces). The first and last one I designed, the Engineer demanded enough reinforced concrete to encase Chernobyl. Luckily that client had deep pockets and the result is stunning.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2146#Comment_2146 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2146#Comment_2146 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:27:07 +0100 Guest Would asmet build homes like 'Bag End' in lord of the rings? If so there will be a large demand. Steveleigh did you get that! There must be lots of plots in the UK with Bag End potential.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2147#Comment_2147 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2147#Comment_2147 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:04:21 +0100 fostertom http://www.lordoftherings.net/legend/gallery/
LOTR Artistic Consultant Alan Lee, illustrator of many Tolkien books, happens to be a close Dartmoor neighbour of mine and John Manniex..........]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2150#Comment_2150 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2150#Comment_2150 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:22:07 +0100 steveleigh ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2157#Comment_2157 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2157#Comment_2157 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:42:01 +0100 biffvernon http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/gardens/bilbo-baggins1.jpg]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2159#Comment_2159 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2159#Comment_2159 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:03:17 +0100 Guest This is then waterproofed manually creating h&s issues in confined space with a bank of earth looming over your shoulder.

Independent structure refers to the construction technique in the same way as a pre-stressed membrane. The need for diyers to fix shelving would be 'an issue' not just in this but in any construction with an internal vapour barrier.
The challenge is to change attitudes to what has been the norm rather than construct to accomodate bad habits. Shelving is a dust trap, raised kitchen units look awful and reduce the sense of space, they also reduce glazing potential in the one room where you require the most light, all day.
Taking a new product with massive potential and trying to mould it to fit the bovis homes brochure because anything else might be seen as space-age is cowardice.
The fact is that self builders able to attend a short course in design and application will drive this product forward in the uk, before going abroad to work as contractors because our global neighbours are more open minded than us and will welcome it as the ideal solution, to creating a stable, watertight volume, that it appears to be.
Oh is that a bit cynical?
Anyway, i said make it a semi-basement first so i get first dibs on building a 1:5 scale model as a safe alternative to a tree house for the kids.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2164#Comment_2164 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2164#Comment_2164 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:51:03 +0100 fostertom Posted By: steveleighincrease the size of the webs from say 200mm to 300mm or whateverThat's easily done, of course - could be reduced in many places; as John says there's a range of thicknesses to play with too. I'd guess that fail points would be joints - that looked like a very weak process to me. At least, alternate layers of mesh should be interleaved, not just butted with a surface cover strip. Even then, the joints will always be weaker than the moulded panels.

Posted By: steveleighforming a 75mm tee on the end of each web
That would be a great strengthener in certain situtaions, preventing collapse through warping of the free end of the rib, when that part of the rib is in compression (and compression/tension may reverse at different times). The ultimate would be to mould the panel plus ribs plus tee-end integrally.

Posted By: fostertomstrip of asmet will flex about 6mm over about 350mm negate a lot of stress in the structure
ASMET's flexural resilience is impressive - but I'd expect failure to happen by shearing at joints, not fracture in bending.

For factory-prefabricated, optimised ASMET shells, testing to destruction would reveal which bits should be strengthened considerably, and which could be lightened a lot. This would have to include accelerated long-term/fatigue and stress reversal/cycling. There are experts in this.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2168#Comment_2168 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2168#Comment_2168 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 20:17:21 +0100 steveleigh ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2173#Comment_2173 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2173#Comment_2173 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:08:25 +0100 fostertom
Posted By: steveleighEach joint has 16 layers of mesh overlapped
That's not what John showed me.

The 4x2-built house simply doesn't experience the structural forces that a monocoque does - it yields because it's unstiff at its many joints, whereas a monocoque unforgivingly confronts whatever forces arise, has to resist them completely forever, or fails catastrophically.

No need to argue about this - consider it valuable feedback; if I/we don't say these things, friendly-like, then someone else certainly will. All you and John have to do is whatever it takes to conclusively answer all such points. It's too good not to!]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2174#Comment_2174 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2174#Comment_2174 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:54:52 +0100 Guest can you just clarify the application process method for flat roofs as i would assume that the mesh is laid, tied and the roofkrete mix applied directly as a wet application, either sprayed or trowelled on?

I believe tom's concern is the jointing of the 40mm exposed mesh on the cured panels rather than mesh within a panel. I would suggest if this were the case that an initial 8 layered panel monocoque be supplemented after construction with a further 2 layer mesh application spanning all initial panel joints and the cementitious mix spray applied, possibly with dye, to give a finished monolithic surface.

The internal T-shaped webbing could be formed with brackets to install steel walling systems to create a separate internal structure, incorporating a vcl.
I believe this would be key to forming the traditional cavity style construction that might help the system find broader acceptance.
Void to be filled with insulation, and U-values would dictate the size of the web say 200-250mm super-insulated.
Webs at 400mm c/c to support internal lightweight structure.
This would allow shelves, kitchen units, etc to be installed so song as mechanical fixings did not penetrate the vcl.
Maybe new window and door flashing profiles might be needed?]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2175#Comment_2175 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2175#Comment_2175 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:15:57 +0100 Guest Asmet has got 14mm x 200mm webs integrated in the 14mm skin at 400mm centres - did you get the info sheets from steveleigh?
I saw a television advertisment about two years ago which did show Roofkrete being trowelled into a mesh matrix.

Tom
Thanks on behalf of all for taking the time to investigate asmet.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2176#Comment_2176 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2176#Comment_2176 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:16:43 +0100 steveleigh ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2182#Comment_2182 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2182#Comment_2182 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:58:38 +0100 steveleigh ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2204#Comment_2204 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2204#Comment_2204 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:33:17 +0100 Tuna
A bad analogy would be that, though a telephone book is hard to tear, if you spread the sheets out into a continuous big sheet you could tear it easily.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2206#Comment_2206 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2206#Comment_2206 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:10:45 +0100 Ads
If, as you surmise, an ASMET structure might assist in defending against radio waves, will I have to throw out all my transistor radios, wireless setups, mobile phones, cordless phones, etc?]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2215#Comment_2215 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2215#Comment_2215 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:31:26 +0100 steveleigh In my ignorant way I was just trying to explain the sledge hammer to crack a nut principle. I doubt if an ASMET house will tear because it is easy for the designer to design-out stress points. It is difficult to explain until you have experienced the ASMET product. It is very very flexible even when tested as a beam.
An ASMET beam 200mm x 10mm with 6 layers of mesh was tested for bending at Portsmouth University. These are the results:- Span 2300mm, load applied centrally through two bearer 220mm apart. The beam failed at 11kn with 18.2mm deflection, with comments from Portsmouth University as follows:-
"Failure in the bending tests was initiated from the bearers applying the load in the central section. If further testing is undertaken, consideration should be given to using a wider platen bearer of softer material such as rubber or timber."

ASMET is strong enough with 6 layers of mesh. In my opinion it is over-engineered with 8 layers of mesh but John Manniex feels this will survive any structural testing required to meet building standards.

A monocoque metal shipping container of 40ft carries about 25tonnes and is continually worked on shore and at sea for years and any stress points are well understood and designed-out rather like a marine structure. Maybe it needs input from marine architects to design an ASMET home, they probably have the best understanding of monocoque structures.

I am still very much focused on the bigger picture of solving the global problem. Ads, there are technologies out there than can resolve transporting networks from room to room. I really don't want to focus on whether you'll struggle with your mobile phone. In the UK we're better at coming up with new ideas and seeding the world. This is the only way we can get out of this environmental mess. The UK cannot do it alone no matter how many intellectual games of tennis are played on this forum. Anything less is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I and anybody who specifies buildings has got a moral responsibility for future generations to ensure they have a safe environment to live in.

Thanks Steve]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2234#Comment_2234 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2234#Comment_2234 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:04:04 +0100 Tuna Posted By: steveleigh.. no matter how many intellectual games of tennis are played on this forum.

Hold on, I don't think you should read the comments being made as 'intellectual games of tennis', nor as damning criticism of ASMET. There are people on this forum with a fantastically wide knowledge of the building industry, as well as those will great real world experience of using new and old technologies to make usable living spaces. A successful home is more than the material used to construct it, however wondrous it might be. When you introduce a radically new idea, you have to consider the many questions people will ask, and the practicalities of using it in a way that will make them want to join you. Discussions like these should be useful to you because they're asking questions that many builders would potentially ask.]]> ASMET monocoque building system https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2238#Comment_2238 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=174&Focus=2238#Comment_2238 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:58:37 +0100 Guest I have been following Steveleigh posts. I can understand his frustration. He has given up an IT career to push sustainability. He is not a building expert like others on this forum (he admits this) but he has made a good case for asmet. He is not saying that intellectual games of tennis are a bad thing, (all debate is an intellectual game of tennis) its just that in this case they are not going to resolve anything because the issues cannot be resolved by UK alone. I read this more as a wake up call to look at the bigger picture and not a criticism.

The building trade attracted clever practical people in the old days but then the job image was down-graded to low status. We now need more clever practical people, like most on this forum, to spark this industry up again.]]>