Published July 23rd, 2010 at 10:59 am in Great Green Building Blocks, World, architecture with no comments
Tagged with acrylic cement, Brad Wells, Denver, George Nez, Glenn Meyers, Haiti, hypar roofs, hyperbolic paraboloid, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, TSC Global, TSC roof, Uganda
TSC Global's hypar roof is located next to the light ril tracks, just south of downtown Denver
Evidence of new buildings featuring an innovative and cost-effective roof can now be seen in a growing number of African nations, including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan, as part of a Roofs for the World initiative.
This roof is called a Thin Shell Composite Hyperbolic Paraboloid, or TSC Hypar, thus the name, TSC Global, which proclaims the building methodology using this roof has the potential for revolutionizing roofing and construction in the most impoverished and remote parts of the globe. TSC Global executive director, Brad Wells, says that compared to the corrugated steel roof structures seen everywhere in the developing world, TSC roof construction requires a minimum in cut lumber, demands no power machinery for construction, and leaves almost no carbon footprint. In addition, buildings featuring these roofs are significantly quieter in rain and windstorms, and can be earthquake resistant.
Denver-based TSC Global was created to build, promote and fully develop this construction method, with the belief that there is real potential to dramatically enhance the overall quality and affordability of structures used by millions if not billions of people worldwide. It is now focusing on a potential rebuilding program for Haiti.
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Published June 14th, 2010 at 8:21 am in Great Green Building Blocks, World, architecture with 2 comments
Tagged with Denver, George Nez, grmeyers, hyperbolic paraboloid, latex concrete, Nez roof, Romania, roofs, roofs first, Rwanda
Taking the roofs-first approach, a kitchen is built in Rwanda. Source: George Nez
On one Denver, Colorado back lot a visitor will encounter an unorthodox-looking roof that just might help meet the housing needs of displaced people worldwide.
The roof, shaped like a hyperbolic paraboloid, was constructed on the ground and then lifted in place by African student builders who wanted to build similar structures in locales like Rwanda and Sudan.
Remarkably strong and weather resistant, this new age shelter contains few structural elements, can be constructed without electrical power, and costs very little money.
George Nez is the developer of this roof system, simply calling it a “hypar roof.” Those familiar with his work – especially those builders in Rwanda and Sudan – fondly refer to this structure as the “Nez roof.” The roof is built using latex-modified concrete that is painted over a mesh backing. A video interview with Mr. Nez can be seen here. Read more of this >>
