STRUCTURAL DRONES OFFER HI-TECH BUILDING OPTION
A NEW hi-tech construction solution aims to provide much-needed emergency shelter in disaster-hit areas, while paving the way for a new approach to Australia’s cities and urban areas.
Breatheblocks is the brainchild of Bond University second-year architecture students Chisomo Banzi and Nelson Michaels.
The pair teamed up to work on the Breatheblocks concept, which grew from one of Mr Banzi’s projects in his final assessment.
They describe Breatheblocks as a system of self-assembling structural drones.
“They work collaboratively to form a wide range of architectural spaces … a little like flying lego bricks”, Mr Banzi said.
The blocks can be used to construct anything from a relief shelter in disaster-prone or remote areas to portable lifesaving ICUs and hi-tech labs, and even structures for daily use.
The hard plastic frame of each Breatheblock is made from 100 per cent recycled Polyethylene, with internal electronics comprised of standardised drone parts to minimise cost.
Each Breatheblock uses an “iris” mechanism to enclose the structure and provide a skin when the blocks are combined.
The blocks are solar-powered and also generate a small amount of electricity, enough to lessen the structure’s carbon footprint.
“A hallmark of good design is that form should follow function. Yet currently, we adapt our activities to conform to fixed spaces. Imagine if our buildings could not only adapt to our rapidlychanging needs in real time, but also the ever-changing external environment at large,” Mr Banzi said.
Mr Banzi and Mr Michaels are confident Breatheblocks can be part of the solution for Pacific Island settlements at risk from rising sea levels, caused by climate change.
“Easily flexible and adaptable systems like Breatheblocks allow for a new way to reconsider how villages, cities and communities can live without compromising their quality of life,” Mr Banzi said.
They hope to establish relationships with multinational NGOs to provide them with the networks to eventually distribute Breatheblocks into the South Pacific and other areas that need them.
The pair hope to have a small working prototype built sometime within the next few months, and long-term hope to have Breatheblocks’ base of operations in the Gold Coast.