Week notes #21
This week’s update is all about our recent build in the Peak District. Here is a summary of the lessons learned - and just so you know, this project took 5 days on site to complete, from blocks arriving to completion of the chassis.
For project managing, Gantt charts with clear milestones and responsibilities are invaluable - this is especially helpful for people who are new to project management, listing out all the necessary tasks with its respective owners in a project. In fact, we are currently creating a mega Gantt chart for WikiHouse projects that we will use as a template going forward. We'll share that with everyone.
Designing a chassis after planning approval can be more complicated and costly - so we will always encourage people to agree a design first, before obtaining planning permission. Otherwise they might need to create a number of bespoke blocks to fit the planning constraint.
If you're building a concrete ground floor slab (like this project), we have drawn a detail to show how the wall blocks can be connected to the slab. One thing we've learnt here is to use a narrower sole plate (<245mm width) so that the wall blocks can be slotted much easier on top of it.
180kg pieces are HARD work. We had a bespoke block over 100 kg (a 180 kg rooflight block!). We would like to avoid them if at all possible.
Always pay attention to the parts that need to be (or not) mirrored when preparing the cutting files.
...And get a second pair of eyes to check the files!
One of the biggest issues we encountered was putting pegs through the wall blocks. They were mostly obstructed by the insulation (it may look fluffy but it is actually quite solid). So we had to spend a lot of time removing and replacing the insulation to allow the pegs to go through and ensure no cold bridging around the pegs. This was painful to say the least! (in fact you can see my efforts below as I tried to remove insulation!) We are currently finding ways to resolve this but any suggestions are welcome.
Unloading all the blocks from the lorry took 3.5 hours! Always make sure that time is taken into account and there are enough people around to help unloading.
Print the assembly manual - it’s no fun running around with a laptop in the bright sunshine.
On top of the list of materials and equipment we have listed on our assembly guide, as a minimum you will also need on site: wood files, stray nail cutters, straps, wooden / metal mallets, knife, rope, spirit level. Plus: first aid kit (including plasters!), fire extinguisher, multitool cutter, power.
Specify the genie lift: 4m+ (with wheels/extenders) especially when you need to lift the floor / roof blocks.
Ensure the site is safe from obstacles (like rocks, etc)
Have dedicated stations for tools, pegs and ties. We had over 550 ties and over 350 pegs so need to ensure we don't lose them!
And here are some of the positives:
The bow ties work beautifully!
All the blocks (91 in total, from 248 sheets) were present
Almost everything fitted as it should
The weather was glorious!
Do you want to hear more about this build and ask us lots of questions? I was thinking perhaps we could have a community session in a few weeks to share these learnings more in depth...what do you think?
On other news, the engineering guide has been updated with further data about the panel to panel connections. You can have a look here: https://www.wikihouse.cc/guides/engineering#stitch-joints