Some construction fails to have the DiY folks here waking in a cold sweat!

Reminds me a little of New Home Quality Control except less Welsh and with some bigger problems!

I liked this comment!

Build in stupid places, win stupid structures.

I presume it's to do with views, being above the smog, and land prices. But there seem to be a lot of very expensive houses, built on very precarious slopes.

https://youtube.com/shorts/DNRiaXVRBgU?si=inDv5n-si9Juy62V

Acros are great but must be plumb both ways and on a solid base

Living in an earthquake zone the idea of balancing an RSJ so it's only supported in two dimensions seems a bit flimsey. Around here we have to do this and then pour a lot of concrete, and then add lots of insulation because it creates a thermal bridge:

Someone locally was concreting this week......in minus 7 degrees centigrade!

(Day temperature)

Living in an earthquake zone the idea of balancing an RSJ so it’s only supported in two dimensions seems a bit flimsey

If it helps... They aren't balanced.

@Edukator - the French, like many European countries, have been seriously addicted to concrete for 70 years. Given what's involved making concrete, how are they going to adjust  building practices for a greener future ?

When you consider that those bricks are glued together with a very thin layer of mortar-glue the saving in cement compared with a traditional British brick and mortar build more than makes up for the cement in the reinforced concrete needed in seimic regions. Go out and measure the proportions of brick and mortar in the wall in your house. And then consider the proportions of cement and sand (1 : 2) in mortar, and cement, sand and gravel (1 : 2 : 3) in concrete.

Wooden houses are possible but not popular in these parts as the annual rainfall and humidity are higher than most of the UK.

In my own build adjustments include:

Wood fibre insulation - waste from saw mills to make insulation panels in various thincknesses. Rodents don't like it so it's a good first or last layer depending how you look at it.

Cotton, lin and hemp insulation panels in various thicknesses. Good for sound insulation and springy.

Wood paneling rather than plasterboard.

Using second hand materials where possible. I've sourced roof tiles, a garage door, many of those bricks, some of the roof timbers, render... .

I think you're kidding yourself if you think the UK uses less cement in builds than European neighbours, take a walk around Birmingham! 😉

Building isn't green, just as driving any kind of car isn't green. Living isn't green. I'm am therefore I pollute - but as little as reasonable which means living in a house not connected to gas that produces more electricty than it uses.