Archimede construction systems are
construction techniques achieving
rhombic dodecahedral shapes, a
space-filling geometry
In geometry, a honeycomb is a ''space filling'' or ''close packing'' of polyhedral or higher-dimensional ''cells'', so that there are no gaps. It is an example of the more general mathematical ''tiling'' or ''tessellation'' in any number of dime ...
. In America, most of these systems generate
building envelopes made up of as little as two panel shapes and sizes, this feature allowing for maximum
industrialization
Industrialisation ( alternatively spelled industrialization) is the period of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society. This involves an extensive re-organisation of an econo ...
. These panels are generally pressure injected with a rigid structural
insulating foam
Building insulation is any object in a building used as insulation for thermal management. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insul ...
like
polyurethane. In
Europe and
Asia, post and beam structure often create a dodecahedral shape that is later filled with different
cladding materials. Although the basic
geometry sometimes contains an entire house, most applications of the system are an agglomeration of cells each forming a rhombic dodecahedral living space that can be a room or a larger living area when combined with adjacent dodecahedral modules.
History
The peculiar three-dimensional structure of the
honey bee comb has intrigued for thousands of years. It is quite possible that some isolated construction project used a scaled-up version of this
zonohedron, however a largely visible use of these shapes only appeared in the early 1980s.
Les Systèmes Archimede Inc. of Tring Junction QC started to produce applying US4462191, a patent owned by J. Poirier who also co-founded the manufacturing firm with
Placide Poulin
Placide Poulin (born 1938 in Saint-Jules, Quebec, Canada) is a Canadian businessman. He was the founder of MAAX Inc., a company producing bathroom products, kitchen cabinets and outdoor spas. An influential man in the Beauce, Poulin is a member ...
.
Prefabricated dwelling of the modular type
/ref>
References
External links
High-Tech Housing, Popular Science Magazine
Why Rhombic Dodecahedral shells are so strong, text and illustrations by J.B. Poirier,arch.
Arctic Refuges on Stilts, Forbes Magazine
Housing Industry Takes Some Tips From The Bees, The Montreal Gazette
Prefabs Doing Well, The Montreal Gazette
Architecture
Prefabricated buildings
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