Building Blocks

Abstract

A building block for a system builder's house, the building block comprising a first composite structural support layer, a second composite structural support layer, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Examples of the present disclosure relate to building blocks, some of which are for use as part of a system builder building. [Background technology]

[0002] Building blocks can be used to build houses. Building blocks can be crafted exclusively from concrete. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a construction block for a system builder building is provided, the construction block comprising: an insulation layer; a composite structural support layer adjacent to the insulation layer; an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface comprising at least one male portion and the lower surface comprising at least one female portion, or the upper surface comprising at least one female portion and the lower surface comprising at least one male portion; a first side; and a second side spaced apart from the first side along a depth dimension of the construction block, the first side comprising at least one male portion and the second side comprising at least one female portion, or the first side comprising at least one female portion and the second side comprising at least one male portion, the male and female portions of the first and second sides configured to connect with corresponding male or female portions of another construction block, thereby limiting relative movement between the construction block and another construction block along the depth dimension of the block.

[0004] At least one male portion or at least one female portion of the first side can include an abutment surface configured to abut against an abutment surface of at least one male portion or at least one female portion of the second side, thereby limiting relative movement of the construction block and another construction block along the depth dimension.

[0005] At least a portion of the abutment surface of the at least one male portion or the at least one female portion of the first side can extend from the first side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the depth dimension.

[0006] The top surface may include a blind hole configured to receive the leveler.

[0007] The top and bottom surfaces may be separated by a width dimension of the building block, and the extent of the blind holes in the depth dimension may be greater than the extent of the blind holes in the width dimension.

[0008] The building block may include a second composite structural support layer, with the thermal insulation layer sandwiched between the composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer.

[0009] The composite structural support layer may comprise aggregate.The composite structural support layer may comprise concrete.

[0010] The thermal conductivity of the insulating layer may be less than 1 W / mK. The insulating layer may comprise a fiber reinforced plastic.

[0011] The building block can include a connector extending from the composite structural support layer through the insulation layer to the second composite structural support layer, the connector being configured to support a structural load greater than the insulation layer.

[0012] The thickness of the insulation layer may be greater than the thickness of each of the first and second composite structural support layers, and may be in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm, and the thickness of each of the first and second composite structural support layers may be in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm.

[0013] The composite structural support layer can include a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and at least one channel defined in the first surface, extending from the second surface to the third surface, and positioned to support a conduit in the first surface. The conduit can be an indoor pipe.

[0014] The channel extending from the second surface to the third surface may be elongated in the first dimension.

[0015] The building block may include a further channel defined in the first face, the further channel intersects the channel.

[0016] The channel may comprise a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit.

[0017] The additional channel may at least intersect the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

[0018] The building block may include a fourth side and a fifth side, with the further channel extending from the fourth side to the fifth side.

[0019] A further channel may extend from the fourth surface to the fifth surface in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

[0020] The further channel may be elongated in the second dimension.

[0021] The channel and the further channel may define an intersection that allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

[0022] The building block can include a plurality of channels defined in a first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

[0023] The upper surface can be at least partially defined by a first composite structural support layer and a second composite structural support layer, and the upper surface can comprise a plurality of male and female portions, at least one male or female portion defined by the first composite structural support layer and at least one male or female portion defined by the second composite structural support layer.

[0024] The building blocks may be substantially rectangular in shape and may have a length, a width and a thickness, the length and width being greater than the thickness.

[0025] The length may range from 200mm to 1500mm and the width may range from 200mm to 1000mm.

[0026] The building block may include feet extending from the underside and configured to contact a flat base surface, such that when the feet contact the flat base surface, a cavity is defined by the feet, the underside and the flat base surface, and through holes extending from the upper surface through the lower surface into the cavity so as to allow leveling material to be received from the upper surface into the cavity.

[0027] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a system builder house is provided that includes a plurality of building blocks according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0028] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a construction block for a system builder building is provided, the construction block comprising: an insulating layer; and a composite structural support layer adjacent to the insulating layer, the composite structural support layer having a surface and a plurality of channels defined in the surface, the plurality of channels configured to support at least one conduit in the surface, the composite structural support layer being arranged in a grid.

[0029] The conduit may comprise an indoor pipe. The indoor pipe may comprise a water supply or drainage pipe. The indoor pipe has a diameter greater than 10mm.

[0030] The building block may include a second surface spaced apart from the surface along a depth dimension of the building block, with the insulating layer adjacent the second surface.

[0031] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a construction block for a system builder building is provided, the construction block comprising: an insulating layer; a composite structural support layer; upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces being at least partially defined by the insulating layer and the composite structural support layer, respectively; feet extending from the lower surfaces and configured to contact a flat base surface, the feet contacting the flat base surface such that a cavity is defined by the feet, the lower surface, and the flat base surface; and through holes extending from the upper surface through the lower surface into the cavity to allow for receipt of leveling material from the upper surface into the cavity.

[0032] The feet may be closer to the periphery of the lower surface than the through holes.

[0033] The building block may include a further foot extending from the lower surface, the foot and the further foot defining a closed channel when the foot and the further foot contact the flat base surface.

[0034] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a systems builder building is provided, the building block having a first side, a second side, and a third side, the first side being formed at least in part from aggregate, and at least one channel defined in the first side and extending from the second side to the third side, the channel positioned to support a conduit in the first side.

[0035] The channel extending from the second surface to the third surface may be elongated in the first dimension.

[0036] The building block may include a further channel defined in the first face, the further channel intersecting the channel.

[0037] The channel may comprise a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit.

[0038] The additional channel may at least intersect the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

[0039] The building block may further comprise a fourth side and a fifth side, with the further channel extending from the fourth side to the fifth side.

[0040] The further channel may extend from the fourth face to the fifth face in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The further channel may be elongated in the second dimension.

[0041] The channel and the further channel may define a common portion that allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

[0042] The building block can include a plurality of channels defined in a first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

[0043] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a system builder building is provided, the building block having a face formed at least in part from aggregate and a grid of channels defined in the face and arranged to support conduits in the face.

[0044] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a system builder building is provided, the building block comprising a first composite structural support layer, a second composite structural support layer, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer.

[0045] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a method of manufacturing a building block for a system builder is provided, the method including: connecting at least one connector to an insulation layer such that the at least one connector extends from at least one surface of the insulation layer; and forming a first composite structural support layer in contact with at least one surface such that the first composite layer and the insulation layer are connected via the connector.

[0046] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a system builder building is provided, the building block comprising a first composite structural support layer, a second composite structural support layer, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer.

[0047] The first composite structural support layer can include aggregate. The first composite structural support layer includes concrete.

[0048] The thermal conductivity of the insulating layer may be less than 1 W / mK. The insulating layer may comprise a fiber reinforced plastic.

[0049] The building block may include a connector extending from the composite structural support layer through the insulating layer to the second composite structural support layer.

[0050] The thickness of the thermal insulation layer may be greater than the thickness of each of the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer.

[0051] The thickness of the insulation layer may be in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm, and the thickness of each of the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer may be in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm.

[0052] The composite structural support layer can include a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and at least one channel, the channel defined in the first surface, extending from the second surface to the third surface, and positioned to support the conduit in the first surface.

[0053] The channel, which can extend from the second surface to the third surface, is elongated in the first dimension.

[0054] The building block may include a further channel defined in the first face, the further channel intersecting the channel.

[0055] The channel may comprise a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit.

[0056] The additional channel may at least intersect the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

[0057] The building block can have a fourth side and a fifth side, and the further channel can extend from the fourth side to the fifth side. The further channel can extend from the fourth side to the fifth side in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The further channel can be elongated in the second dimension.

[0058] The channel and the further channel may define a common portion that allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

[0059] The building block can include a plurality of channels defined in a first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

[0060] The building block may have an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having at least one male portion and the lower surface having at least one female portion, or the upper surface having at least one female portion and the lower surface having at least one male portion.

[0061] The upper surface can be at least partially defined by a first composite structural support layer and a second composite structural support layer, the upper surface comprising a plurality of male and female portions, at least one male or female portion defined by the first composite structural support layer and at least one male or female portion defined by the second composite structural support layer.

[0062] The building blocks may be substantially rectangular in shape, with a length, a width and a thickness, the length and width being greater than the thickness. The length may be in the range of 200mm to 1500mm, and the width may be in the range of 200mm to 1000mm.

[0063] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a systems builder building is provided, the building block having a first side, a second side, and a third side, the first side being formed at least in part from aggregate, and at least one channel defined in the first side and extending from the second side to the third side, the channel positioned to support a conduit in the first side.

[0064] The channel, which can extend from the second surface to the third surface, is elongated in the first dimension.

[0065] The building block may include a further channel defined in the first face, the further channel intersecting the channel.

[0066] The channel may comprise a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit, and a further channel may at least intersect the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

[0067] The building block can have a fourth side and a fifth side, and the further channel can extend from the fourth side to the fifth side. The further channel can extend from the fourth side to the fifth side in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The further channel can be elongated in the second dimension.

[0068] The channel and the further channel may define a common portion that allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

[0069] The building block can include a plurality of channels defined in a first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

[0070] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a system builder building is provided, the building block having a face formed at least in part from aggregate and a grid of channels defined in the face and arranged to support conduits in the face.

[0071] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a method of manufacturing a building block for a system builder is provided, the method including: connecting at least one connector to an insulation layer such that the at least one connector extends from at least one surface of the insulation layer; and forming a first composite structural support layer in contact with at least one surface such that the first composite layer and the insulation layer are connected via the connector.

[0072] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a building block for a systems builder is provided, the building block comprising a face, a further face and another face, and at least one channel configured to receive a conduit, the channel comprising an open channel portion formed by a recess in the face, a closed channel portion extending from an opening in the further face to the open channel portion of the face, and a closed channel portion extending from the open channel portion to an opening in the other face.

[0073] The further plane can be substantially orthogonal to the additional plane.

[0074] The first composite structural support layer can have an additional surface that is substantially parallel to the other surface and substantially perpendicular to the surface and the additional surface, and an additional channel, the additional channel having an open channel portion in the surface that is a recess, a closed channel portion extending from the other surface to an opening in the open channel portion of the surface, and a closed channel portion extending from the open channel portion to an opening in the additional surface.

[0075] The first composite structural support layer may include a plurality of channels formed at least in part from a plurality of closed channel portions and a plurality of open channel portions.

[0076] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, there is provided a method of constructing a system-built house using building blocks as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, the method including forming a foundation for the system-built house and connecting a first building block as described in any of the preceding paragraphs and a second building block as described in any of the preceding paragraphs to form at least a portion of a wall of the system-built house.

[0077] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, a system builder house is provided that includes a plurality of building blocks according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0078] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples, there is provided a method of constructing a system-built house using building blocks as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, the method including forming a foundation for the system-built house and connecting a first building block as described in any of the preceding paragraphs and a second building block as described in any of the preceding paragraphs to form at least a portion of a wall of the system-built house. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0079] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary system architect house with multiple building blocks. [Figure 2A] 1 shows a perspective view of a first example of a building block; [Figure 2B] 1 shows a top view of a first example of a building block. [Figure 2C] 1 shows a bottom view of a first example of a building block. [Figure 2D] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a horizontal channel of a first example of a building block. [Figure 2E] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vertical channel of a first example of a building block. [Figure 3A] 1 shows a perspective view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3B] 1 shows a top view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3C] 1 shows a rear view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3D] 1 shows an end view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3E] 1 shows a front view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3F] 1 shows a cross-sectional front view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3G] 1 shows a bottom perspective view of a second example of a building block. [Figure 3H] 3D shows an end view of the second example building block shown in FIG. 3D. [Figure 4] 1 shows a perspective view of a third example of a building block. [Figure 5A] 1 shows a perspective view of a fourth example of a building block. [Figure 6] 10 shows a perspective view of a fifth example of a building block. [Figure 7] 10 shows a side view of a sixth example of a building block. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a partial perspective view of an exemplary foundation of an exemplary systems architect house. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a seventh example of a building block. [Figure 9B] 10 shows an end view of a seventh example of a building block. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an eighth example of a building block. [Figure 10B] 10 shows a top view of an eighth example of a building block. [Figure 11] 10 shows a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary foundation including the building blocks of the seventh and eighth examples. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a ninth example of a building block. [Figure 12B] 10 shows an end view of a ninth example of a building block. [Figure 13A] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a tenth example of a building block. [Figure 13B] 10 shows an end view of a tenth example of a building block. [Figure 14]10 shows a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary foundation including building blocks of the ninth and tenth examples. [Figure 15] 1 illustrates an exemplary method for forming an exemplary building block. [Figure 16] 1 illustrates an exemplary method for forming at least a portion of a systems architect house. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] The figures are not necessarily to scale. For clarity and conciseness, certain features and aspects of the figures may be shown diagrammatically or exaggerated in scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid in illustration. Like reference numerals are used in the figures to denote like features. For clarity, not all reference numerals are necessarily shown in every figure.

[0082] Embodiments of the present invention relate to building blocks for system architect houses, such as the building blocks shown in Figure 1. The building blocks can be used as part of a system architect house 810. Several examples of building blocks can be used to construct the system architect house 810. While the following examples are directed to building blocks for a system architect house 810, it should be understood that any type of building can be constructed using the building blocks, such as residential, commercial, and / or industrial buildings.

[0083] Systems-built buildings are constructed using some kind of systemized construction process. Systems-built buildings differ from typical buildings (i.e., site-assembled housing that is constructed on-site one building at a time) in that the process of constructing the building is at least partially automated. For example, the process can be partially automated by constructing at least a portion of the building at a location away from the site / site on which the building will be constructed, thereby making systems-built buildings more easily constructed on-site.

[0084] Construction of housing, such as social housing, typically requires skilled labor (e.g., plumbers, electricians, bricklayers) to install. In the UK, employing more skilled labor increases the cost of housing construction. The system builder 810 may need to be easy to assemble (e.g., to employ fewer skilled labor). The system builder 810 may need to be quick to assemble.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary system architect house 810 comprising a plurality of building blocks. The system architect house 810 may comprise any of the building blocks described below. The system architect house 810 shown in FIG. 1 comprises at least one of the examples of building blocks 100, 500 shown in FIGS. 2A-3G and each of the building blocks 200, 300, 400 shown in FIGS. 4-6. It should be understood that the system architect house 810 may comprise at least one of the building blocks 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 shown in FIGS. 7-14.

[0086] The system architect house 810 includes a plurality of walls 811-814 (a front wall 811, a back wall 812, a left wall 813, and a right wall 814), a foundation 815, and a ceiling 816. It should be understood that the walls 811-814, the foundation 815, and the ceiling 816 may each be of any suitable shape or size. The walls 811-814 include a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of lintels (building blocks) 400. Each lintel 400 may define at least a portion of a window and / or door 821, 822. The walls 811-814 may each include any suitable number of openings (of any suitable size) for forming any suitable number of windows and / or doors. In the illustrated example, the front wall 811 includes six openings. Each opening is configured to receive a lintel 400. The system architect house 810 may also include a roof (not shown).

[0087] 2A to 7 and 9 to 14 show some examples of building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000.

[0088] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show perspective, top, and bottom views of a first example building block 500. To help the reader understand the relative orientation of the figures, Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C (as well as the other figures) show Cartesian coordinate axes 130. The Cartesian coordinate axes 130 include an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, each of which defines a different orthogonal dimension. The z-axis can be thought of as defining a width / height dimension. The x-axis can be thought of as defining a length dimension. The y-axis can be thought of as defining a depth / thickness dimension.

[0089] The building block 500 comprises a first composite structural support layer 101, a second composite structural support layer 102, and an insulating layer 103 sandwiched between the first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102. While some of the illustrated examples of the building blocks 100, 200, 300, 500 comprise the second composite structural support layer 102, it should be understood that the second composite structural support layer 102 is optional. The building block 500 may comprise the insulating layer 103 and the (first) composite structural support layer 101 adjacent to the insulating layer 103 (e.g., without the second composite structural support layer 102).

[0090] The first composite structural support layer 101 and / or the second composite structural support layer 102 can be configured to provide structural support to the building block 500. Advantageously, the composite structural support layers 101, 102 increase the strength and durability of the building block 500. The first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102 can each include multiple materials (e.g., concrete or equivalent). The first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102 can each include at least one aggregate (e.g., sand, gravel, crushed stone, and / or slag). The at least one aggregate can be bonded together via a binder such as cement. The first composite structural support layer 101 and / or the second composite structural support layer 102 can include concrete. The first composite structural support layer 101 and / or the second composite structural support layer 102 comprising concrete can provide the benefit of acting as a heat sink (e.g., absorbing thermal energy during warmer periods of the day (e.g., during the day) and releasing thermal energy during cooler periods of the day (e.g., at night)).

[0091] The insulation layer 103 can be configured to provide insulation to a structure (e.g., system architect house 810) formed from the building blocks 500. The insulation layer 103 can be sandwiched between the composite structural support layers 101, 102 such that the composite structural support layers 101, 102 protect the insulation layer 103 (e.g., from structural loads supported by the composite structural support layers 101, 102, weather, debris, etc.). That is, the composite structural support layers 101, 102 are positioned on either side of the insulation layer 103 in the depth (y) dimension.

[0092] The building block 500 may include at least one connector (not shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C) connecting the first structural support layer 101 with the second structural support layer 102. Such a connector may penetrate the insulation layer 103 to connect the two composite structural support layers 101 and 102. The building block 500 may include, for example, at least one of the connectors described below with respect to the exemplary building block shown in FIGS. 3A-3G.

[0093] The thermal conductivity of the insulating layer 103 may be lower than that of the first composite structural support layer 101 and / or the second composite structural support layer 102. The insulating layer 103 may, for example, have a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W / mK or less than 0.5 W / mK. The insulating layer 103 may also have a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W / mK, such as less than 0.04 W / mK. The insulating layer 103 may comprise at least one of fiber reinforced plastic, polystyrene, and an enclosure configured to contain a vacuum and / or partial vacuum. The insulating layer 103 may comprise at least one enclosure configured to contain a partial vacuum and / or vacuum.

[0094] The insulation layer 103 may include steel (eg, rust-resistant steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, etc.) to improve the structural integrity of the insulation layer 103 .

[0095] The building block 500 can have multiple surfaces 121-126. In the illustrated example, the building block 500 has an upper surface 121, a lower surface 122, an inner surface 123, an outer surface 124, a first side surface 125, and a second side surface 126. The upper surface 121 and the lower surface 122 are (primarily) defined in the length (x) dimension and the depth (y) dimension, and are spaced apart from each other in the height (z) dimension. The inner surface 123 and the outer surface 124 are (primarily) defined in the length (x) dimension and the height (z) dimension, and are spaced apart from each other in the depth (y) dimension. The first side surface 125 and the second side surface 126 are (primarily) defined in the depth (y) dimension and the height (z) dimension, and are spaced apart from each other in the length (x) dimension.

[0096] In the illustrated example, the inner surface 123 and the outer surface 124 are each larger than the upper surface 121, the lower surface 122, the first side surface 125 and the second side surface 126, respectively.

[0097] The inner surface 123 is so named because it is configured to face the interior (i.e., inside) of the house 810 formed by the building blocks 500. The inner surface 123 may also be characterized as the first major surface 123 or first main surface 123 of the construction black 500. The inner surface 123 may form a portion of the interior or innermost (structural) wall of the system architect house 810. The inner surface 123 may be at least partially covered with one or more of paint, plaster, plasterboard, etc. The outer surface 124 is so named because it is configured to form a portion of the exterior or outermost (structural) wall of the house 10. The outer surface 124 may also be characterized as the second major surface 124 or second main surface 124 of the construction black 500. The outer surface of the outer surface 124 may be at least partially covered with one or more of paint, primer, brick tile, tile, cladding (such as block cladding), etc.

[0098] In the illustrated example, the upper surface 121 and the lower surface 122 are substantially parallel to each other, the inner surface 123 and the outer surface 124 are substantially parallel to each other, and the first side surface 125 and the second side surface 126 are substantially parallel to each other. The upper surface 121 and the lower surface 122 are each substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 123, the outer surface 124, the first side surface 125, and the second side surface 126, respectively. The inner surface 123 and the outer surface 124 are each substantially perpendicular to the first side surface 125 and the second side surface 126, respectively.

[0099] The faces 121-126 can have any suitable shape. In the example shown in Figure 2A, the building block 500 shown in Figure 2A is substantially rectangular in shape, although the building block 500 can have alternative shapes, such as the shapes of any of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 described herein.

[0100] The first composite structural support layer 101 itself can have a first face 111, a second face 112, a third face 113, a fourth face 114, and a fifth face 115, each of which forms at least a portion of the inner face 123, the first side face 125, the second side face 126, the top face 121, and the bottom face 122, respectively. In the illustrated example, the inner face 121 of the building block 500 is the first face 111 of the first composite structural support layer 101, while the second face 112, the third face 113, the fourth face 114, and the fifth face 115 form a portion of the first side face 125, the second side face 126, the top face 121, and the bottom face 122, respectively.

[0101] The building block 500 can include at least one channel 11-13, 21-24, which is defined in the first surface 111 of the first composite structural support layer 101 and the inner surface 121 of the building block 500, as shown in FIG. 2A . The channels 11-13, 21-24 can be arranged to support electrical wiring or water supply and drainage pipes (e.g., plumbing or wiring). The channels 11-13, 21-24 can be arranged to support conduits (e.g., wiring, plumbing, etc.) on the first surface 111 / inner surface 123, respectively. The pipes can be household plumbing, such as water supply and drainage pipes. The diameter of the conduits can be greater than 10 mm, such as 15 mm or 22 mm, and / or less than 70 mm. Such conduits can be advantageously retained in the channels 11-13, 21-24 (e.g., partially and / or completely retained therein).

[0102] Each channel 11-13, 21-24 may be defined by a recess in first surface 111, as shown. That is, each channel 11-13, 21-24 may be a portion of first surface 111 that is recessed relative to raised portions 50 positioned on either side of channels 11-13, 21-24. For clarity, only some of the raised portions 50 are labeled with the reference numeral 50 in FIG. 2A.

[0103] The plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24 can be configured to support a plurality of conduits on the first surface 111. The plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24 can be arranged in rows and columns and / or in a grid (e.g., a network of lines that intersect with one another to form a series of squares and / or rectangles). In the illustrated example, raised portions 50 arranged in rows and columns and / or in a grid form (at least in part) the plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24. The channels 11-13, 21-24 can be routed around the raised portions 50, as shown.

[0104] Some of the channels 11-13 extend from the second face 112 / first side 125 to the third face 113 / second side 126. They have inlets or outlets 31-33 positioned on the second face 112 / first side 125 and inlets or outlets 34-36 positioned on the third face 113 / second side 126. The locations labeled 31-36 can be considered to be inlets or outlets, respectively. These locations (inlets or outlets) 31-36 represent points at which conduits can enter or exit the channels 11-13.

[0105] The channels 11-13 extending from the second surface 112 to the third surface 113 are aligned in the length (x) dimension in the illustrated example and can be considered horizontal channels. That is, the channels 11-13 are elongated in the length (x) dimension. However, in other examples, this may not be the case. The channels 11-13 extending from the second surface 112 to the third surface 113 can also be considered essentially linear because they each extend in a straight line from the second surface 112 to the third surface 113. However, in other examples, this may not be the case.

[0106] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, in the illustrated example, there are three horizontal channels 11-13, although in other examples there may be a different number of horizontal channels 11-13.

[0107] FIG. 2D shows a cross section of a horizontal channel 11. While FIG. 2D shows a single horizontal channel 11, the illustration equally applies to the other horizontal channels 12, 13. The channel 11 is positioned between adjacent ridges 50 in the height (z) dimension. Each ridge 50 provides a support surface 4, 8 for supporting a conduit within the channel 11. The length of each support surface 4, 8 defines the depth of the channel 11 in the depth (y) dimension. The channel depth may be greater than 10 mm, such as 15 mm or 22 mm, and / or less than 70 mm. An additional support surface 6 provided on the first face 111 defines the height of the channel 11 in the height dimension. The channel height may be greater than 10 mm, such as 15 mm or 22 mm, and / or less than 70 mm. The support surface 6 may prevent the conduit from penetrating the first structural support layer 101. Each ridge 50 defines an (outermost) surface on the inner surface 123 / first face 111 that is spaced apart from an (innermost) surface on the inner surface 123 / first face 111 defined by the channel 11 / support surface 6. The support surfaces 4, 6, 8 each form part of the channel 11.

[0108] The support surfaces 4, 6, 8 can support a conduit positioned in the channel 11 by reducing or preventing movement of the conduit positioned in the channel 11 during installation of the conduit, for example, thereby aiding in the installation of the conduit within the channel 11. One of the support surfaces 4 can also support the weight of the conduit, thereby maintaining the conduit in position after installation. In some examples, several of the support surfaces 4, 6, 8 can maintain the conduit in position after installation (e.g., if the conduit is an interference fit).

[0109] The channel 11 has openings 7 between the ridges 50. Conduits can be inserted into or removed from the channel 11 through the openings 7 or through the inlets or outlets 31, 34 of the channel 11.

[0110] Some of the channels 21-24 extend from the fourth face 114 / upper face 121 to the fifth face 115 / lower face 122. They have inlets or outlets 41-44 positioned on the fourth face 114 / upper face 121 and inlets or outlets 45-48 positioned on the fifth face 115 / lower face 122. The locations labeled 41-48 can be considered to be inlets or outlets, respectively. These locations (inlets or outlets) 41-48 represent points at which conduits can enter or exit the channels 21-24.

[0111] Channels 21-24 extending from fourth surface 114 to fifth surface 115 are aligned in the width dimension in the illustrated example and can be considered vertical channels. That is, channels 21-24 are elongated in the height (z) dimension. However, this may not be the case in other examples. Channels 21-24 extending from fourth surface 114 to fifth surface 115 can also be considered essentially linear because they extend in a straight line from fourth surface 114 to fifth surface 115, respectively. However, this may not be the case in other examples.

[0112] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, in the illustrated example there are four vertical channels 21-24, although in other examples there may be a different number of vertical channels 21-24.

[0113] FIG. 2E shows a cross section of vertical channel 23. While FIG. 2E shows a single vertical channel 23, the illustration equally applies to the other vertical channels 21, 22, and 24. Channel 23 is positioned between adjacent ridges 50 in the length (x) dimension. Each ridge 50 provides a support surface 4, 8 for supporting a conduit within channel 23. The length of each support surface 4, 8 defines the depth of channel 11 in the depth (y) dimension. The channel depth may be greater than 10 mm, such as 15 mm or 22 mm, and / or less than 70 mm. An additional support surface 6 provided on first face 111 defines the width of channel 11 in the length (x) dimension. The channel width may be greater than 10 mm, such as 15 mm or 22 mm, and / or less than 70 mm. The support surface 6 may prevent the conduit from penetrating first structural support layer 101. Each ridge 50 defines an (outermost) surface on the inner surface 123 / first face 111 that is spaced apart from an (innermost) surface on the inner surface 123 / first face 111 defined by the channel 11 / support surface 6. The support surfaces 4, 6, 8 each form part of the channel 23.

[0114] The support surfaces 4, 6, 8 can support a conduit positioned in the channel 23 by reducing or preventing movement of the conduit positioned in the channel 23 during installation, for example, thereby aiding in the installation of the conduit within the channel 23. One of the support surfaces 6 can also support the weight of the conduit, thereby maintaining the conduit in position after installation. In some examples, several of the support surfaces 4, 6, 8 can maintain the conduit in position after installation (e.g., if the conduit is an interference fit).

[0115] The channel 23 has openings 7 between the ridges 50. Conduits can be inserted into or removed from the channel 23 through the openings 7 or through the inlets or outlets 43, 47 of the channel 23.

[0116] At least two channels 11-13, 21-24 can intersect at a common portion 61. For clarity, only some common portions 61 are labeled with the reference numeral 61 in FIG. 2A . In some examples, such as that shown in FIG. 2A , channels 11-13, 21-24 can intersect with some other channels at some common portions 61. For example, in the illustrated example, horizontal channels 11-13 intersect with some vertical channels 21-24 at some common portions 61. Vertical channels 21-24 intersect with some horizontal channels 11-13 at some common portions 61. Each common portion 61 forms part of two intersecting channels 11-13, 21-24. In the illustrated example, channels 11-13, 21-24 intersect each other at substantially right angles, but this need not be the case in other examples.

[0117] Each of the ridges 50 provides at least one discontinuous support surface 4, 8 of the channels 11-13, 21-24 that is separated from at least one other discontinuous support surface 4, 8 by a common portion 61. In the example shown, one pair of discontinuous support surfaces 4, 8 of the channels 11-13, 21-24 is separated from another pair of discontinuous support surfaces 4, 8 by a common portion 61.

[0118] In the illustrated example, the discontinuous support surfaces 4, 8 of the horizontal channels 11-13 are spaced apart from one another in the length (x) dimension, and the discontinuous support surfaces 4, 8 of the vertical channels 21-24 are spaced apart from one another in the height (z) dimension.

[0119] When a channel 11-13, 21-24 intersects another channel 11-13, 21-24, it does so by extending between at least one pair of discontinuous support surfaces 4, 8.

[0120] In use, an installer can install conduits within the first surface 111 such that the conduits are at least partially positioned in several different channels 11-13, 21-24. For example, the conduits can be positioned partially in horizontal channels 11-13 and partially in vertical channels 21-24. In this regard, the conduits may follow nonlinear paths from the inlets 31-36, 41-48 to the outlets 31-36, 41-48. For example, the conduits may follow linear paths from the inlets 31-36, 41-48 to the common portion 61, change direction (e.g., substantially 90 degrees) at the common portion 61, and then follow a further linear path to the outlets 31-36, 41-48, such that the overall paths from the inlets to the outlets 31-36, 41-48 are nonlinear.

[0121] In some examples, the channels 11-13, 21-24 may be curved, and the conduits positioned in such channels 11-13, 21-24 may follow corresponding curved paths.

[0122] In use, the channels 11-13, 21-24 allow a user to more easily install and / or maintain conduits within the channels. For example, when multiple building blocks 500 are assembled to form at least a portion of a system builder house 810, a skilled worker (e.g., plumber, electrician, etc.) may not need much time to install conduits within the system builder house. Because a layperson (e.g., an unskilled worker) may be able to install the conduits, skilled workers may not be required at all to install the conduits. Advantageously, the channels 11-13, 21-24 may be air channels 11-13, 21-24, thereby improving insulation of the building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. The channels 11-13, 21-24 being air channels 11-13, 21-24 can also promote airflow in the building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, thereby reducing humid and cold spots.

[0123] Each of the horizontal channels 11-13 may be uniformly spaced from one another, and / or each of the vertical channels 21-24 may be uniformly spaced from one another. Advantageously, uniformly spacing the channels 11-13, 21-24 reduces loss of structural integrity caused by the presence of the channels 11-13, 21-24 in the first composite structural support layer 101.

[0124] In the illustrated example, the top surface 121 of the building block 500 can include at least one male portion (protrusion) 171-178 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B), and the bottom wall (bottom surface) 122 can include at least one female portion (recess) 191-198 (see FIG. 2C). In other examples, the top wall (top surface) 121 can include at least one female portion 191-198 (in addition to or instead of the at least one male portion 171-178), and the bottom wall 122 can include at least one male portion 171-178 (instead of or in addition to the at least one female portion 191-198).

[0125] 2A-2C, at least one male portion 171-178 extends outward from the upper surface 121. At least one female portion 191-198 extends inward into the lower surface 122. In the illustrated example, the outer surface is generally flat in shape.

[0126] Each male portion 171-178 can extend from the top wall 121 in a direction away from the top wall 121 in the height (z) dimension. If present, each male portion 171-178 can extend from the bottom wall 122 in a direction away from the bottom wall 122 in the height (z) dimension.

[0127] Each male portion 171-178 may be tapered. For example, each male portion 171-178 may be tapered in the height (z) dimension such that the male portion narrows in a direction away from the upper surface 121 or the lower surface 122. Each male portion 171-178 may have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of each male portion 171-178 may comprise the portion of the male portion 171-178 closest to the upper surface 121 and / or the lower surface 122. The distal end of each male portion 171-178 may comprise the portion of the male portion 171-178 furthest from the upper surface 121 and / or the lower surface 122.

[0128] Each female portion 191-198 can extend in the height (z) dimension from the lower surface 122 in a direction into the building block 100. Each female portion 191-198 can extend in the height (z) dimension from the upper surface 121 in a direction into the building block 100.

[0129] Each female portion 191-198 may be tapered. Each female portion 191-198 may be tapered such that the female portion 191-198 narrows in a direction away from the upper surface 121 or the lower surface 122. Each female portion 191-198 may have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of each female portion 191-198 may comprise the portion of the female portion 191-198 closest to the upper surface 121 and / or the lower surface 122. The distal end of each female portion 191-198 may comprise the portion of the female portion 191-198 furthest from the outer surface of the upper surface 121 and / or the lower surface 122.

[0130] The building blocks 500 are configured so that the building blocks 500 can be stacked one on top of the other. When doing so, the male portions 171-178 of one block 500 fit into the female portions 191-198 of another block 500. For example, in the illustrated example, all of the male portions 171-178 extending from the top surface 121 of one building block 500 fit into all of the female portions 191-198 extending into the bottom surface 122 of another building block 500.

[0131] Advantageously, the connectivity of the male portions 171-178 with the female portions 191-198 provides the benefit of not having to construct supports on walls formed from the building blocks 500. The connectivity of the male portions 171-178 with the female portions 191-198 may also provide the benefit of not requiring adhesives (e.g., mortar) when assembling the system building house 810 from the building blocks 500.

[0132] In some examples, the first and second structural support layers 101, 102 can each include at least one male portion 171-178 or one female portion 191-198 on the upper and lower surfaces 121, 122, as shown in Figures 2A-2C.

[0133] The first side 125 can include at least one male portion (protrusion) 511, 512, and the second side 126 can include at least one female portion (recess) 501, 502 (see FIGS. 2A-2C). In other examples, the first side wall (side) 125 can include at least one recess 501, 502 (in addition to or instead of the at least one protrusion 511, 512), and the second side wall (side) 126 can include at least one protrusion 511, 512 (in addition to or instead of the at least one recess 501, 502).

[0134] 2A-2C, each protrusion 511, 512 extends outward in the length (x) dimension from the first side 125. Each recess 501, 502 extends inward in the length (x) dimension into the second side 126. In the illustrated example, the sides 125, 126 are generally flat in shape.

[0135] Each protrusion 511, 512 may be tapered. For example, each protrusion 511, 512 may be tapered in the length (x) dimension such that the male portion narrows in a direction away from the first side 125 or the second side 126.

[0136] Each recess 501, 502 may be tapered. For example, each recess 501, 502 may be tapered in the length (x) dimension such that the recess 501, 502 narrows in a direction away from the first sidewall 125 or the second sidewall 126.

[0137] The building blocks 500 are configured so that each building block 500 can be keyed to another adjacent building block 500. When so done, the protrusions 511, 512 of one block 500 fit into the recesses 501, 502 of another block 500. For example, in the illustrated example, all of the protrusions 511, 512 extending from the first side 125 of one building block 500 fit into all of the recesses 501, 502 extending into the second side 126 of another building block 500, providing a mating connection between the two building blocks 500. The connection between the male portions (protrusions) 511, 512 of one building block 500 and the female portions (recesses) 501, 502 of another building block 500 limits relative movement of the connected building blocks 500 along the depth (y) dimension, as the blocks 500 being constructed remain keyed to one another.

[0138] 2B, each male portion (protrusion) 511, 512 can include one or more abutment surfaces 511 a, 511 b, 512 a, 512 b. To limit movement of the building block 500 and another building block along the depth dimension, the one or more abutment surfaces 511 a, 511 b, 512 a, 512 b can be configured to abut against the abutment surfaces 501 a, 501 b, 502 a, 502 b of the female portion (recess) 501, 502 of the other building block 500.

[0139] The abutment surfaces 501 a, 501 b, 502 a, 502 b, 511 a, 511 b, 512 a, 512 b of the protrusions 511, 512 or recesses 501, 502 can extend from the sides 125, 126 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the depth dimension (e.g., in the x-dimension as exemplified in FIG. 2B ). Reference numerals for the abutment surfaces are not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C for the sake of clarity.

[0140] Advantageously, the connectivity between the protrusions 511, 512 and the recesses 501, 502 can provide the benefit of not having to construct supports (e.g., footing) on ​​the walls formed from the building blocks 500. Although the protrusions 511, 512 and recesses 501, 502 on the side walls 125, 126 are only shown in Figures 2A-2C, it should be understood that any of the exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can include the protrusions 511, 512 and / or recesses 501, 502 on their sides.

[0141] The building blocks 500 may be substantially rectangular in shape. The building blocks 500 may have a length (e.g., in the length / x-dimension), a width (e.g., in the width / z-dimension), and a thickness (e.g., in the depth / y-dimension). The length and width may be greater than the thickness. The length of the building blocks 500 may be in the range of 200 mm to 1500 mm. The length of the building blocks 500 may be in the range of 800 mm to 1300 mm. The length may be 300 mm. The length may be 900 mm. The length may be 1200 mm. The width of the building blocks 500 may be in the range of 200 mm to 1000 mm. The width of the building blocks 500 may be in the range of 500 mm to 1000 mm. The width may be 300 mm. The width may be 600 mm. The width may be 900 mm.

[0142] The thickness of the insulation layer 103 may be greater than the thickness of each of the first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102. The thickness of the insulation layer 103 may be in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm. The thickness of the insulation layer 103 may be in the range of 130 mm to 170 mm. The thickness of the insulation layer 103 may be 100 mm. The thickness of each of the first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102 may be in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm. The thickness of each of the first composite structural support layer 101 and the second composite structural support layer 102 may be in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm. During testing, the inventors have found that a preferred thickness of the insulation layer 103 is approximately 150 mm. During testing, the inventors have also found that a preferred thickness of each of the composite structural support layers 101, 102 is approximately 50 mm. During testing, the inventors have also found that the preferred thickness of each of the composite structural support layers 101, 102 is about 75 mm.

[0143] The second composite structural support layer 102 may include at least one channel (not shown). The at least one channel may be configured to receive at least one component of a heat exchange system. The at least one component of the heat exchange system may be elongated.

[0144] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, and 3G show a perspective view, a top view, a rear view, an end view, a front view, a cross-sectional front view, and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of a second example building block 100. Figure 3H shows an end view of the second example building block 100 shown in Figure 3D.

[0145] 3A-3H illustrate Cartesian coordinate systems 130 with x-, y-, and z-axes defining length, depth, and height dimensions, as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2B. The second example building block 100 includes several features that are the same or similar to those of the first example building block 500 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise noted, it should be understood that the second example building block 100 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0146] For example, the second example building block 100 shown in Figures 3A-3H is similar to the first example building block 500 in that the second example building block 100 includes a first composite structural support layer 101, a second composite structural support layer 102, an insulating layer 103, a plurality of sides 121-126, and male and / or female portions 171-173, 174-177, 191-193, 194-197 on the upper and lower sides 121, 122, as described above with respect to the first example building block 500. The second example building block 100 may include protrusions 511, 512 and recesses 501, 502 on the first and second sides 125, 126, although these are not shown in Figures 3A-3H.

[0147] The second example building block 100 is also similar to the first example 500 in that the second example (block) 500 includes at least one channel 11-12, 21-23 or multiple channels 11-12, 21-23 defined in the first face 111 / inner face 123. Although the illustrated second example 100 shows fewer channels 11-12, 21-23, the second example 100 may actually have more, fewer, or the same number of channels as the illustrated first example (block) 500.

[0148] Channels 11-12, 21-23 of second example 100 are similar to the channels of first example 500 in that they are oriented similarly to the channels described above as a plurality of elongated horizontal and vertical channels that intersect one another, possibly arranged in columns and rows and / or a grid. Channels 11-12, 21-23 of second example 100 are similar to the first example in that they have inlets and outlets 31-32, 34-35, 41-42, 45-47, as described above. Inlets and outlets 31-32, 34-35, 41-42, 45-47 are openings / apertures in top surface 121, bottom surface 122, and first and second side surfaces 125, 126.

[0149] The channels 11-12, 21-23 of the second example 100 differ from the channels shown in the first example 500 in that each channel 11-12, 21-23 is not entirely formed from a recess in the outermost surface of the first face 111 / inner face 123. Instead, only portions of the channels 11-12, 21-23 are formed from recesses, such that those portions are open and easily accessible to the user, while other portions of the channels 11-12, 21-23 are closed and less easily accessible. The recesses can be considered equivalently openings or blind holes in the first face 111 / inner face 123 of the second example 100. These recessed "open channel portions" provide a common portion 61 where multiple channels 11-12, 21-23, such as a pair of channels, intersect. The intersecting channels 11-12, 21-23 may be horizontal channels 11-12 and vertical channels 21-23 as described above.

[0150] The "closed channel portions" of channels 11-12, 21-23 can be considered to be tunnels 62. Tunnels 62 provide discontinuous support surfaces 4, 6, 8, which can have the same characteristics as described above with respect to first example 500, except that openings 7 are absent.

[0151] The closed channel portions (tunnels) 62 extend below the outermost surface of the first face 111 / inner face 123. Each channel 11-12, 21-23 may in fact be formed by a plurality of open channel portions (common portions) 61 and closed channel portions 62.

[0152] In the illustrated example, each channel 11-12, 21-23 has a closed channel portion 62 that is positioned on or adjacent to the plane of the inlet or outlet 31-32, 34-35, 41-42, 45-47. Each channel 11-12, 21-23 also includes at least one other closed channel portion 62 positioned intermediate the closed channel portion 62 at the inlet or outlet 31-32, 34-35, 41-42, 45-47.

[0153] The channels 11-12, 21-23 of the second example building block 100 can be arranged to support electrical wiring or water supply and drainage pipes (e.g., plumbing or wiring). The channels 11-12, 21-23 of the second example building block 100 can receive and hold conduits (e.g., wiring, plumbing, etc.) as described above with respect to the first example 500. Such conduits can be received via the inlets and outlets 31-32, 34-35, 41-42, 45-47 of the channels 11-12, 21-23.

[0154] 3A-3H, a second example building block 100 includes at least one connector 161-167 connecting a first structural support layer 101 to a second structural support layer 102. The first structural support layer 101 can be fixedly connected to the second structural support layer 102, for example, by the connectors 161-167.

[0155] Each connector 161-167 may be configured such that a first end of the connector 161-167 is configured to connect to the first composite structural support layer 101 and a second end of the connector 161-167 is configured to connect to the second composite structural support layer 102. Each connector 161-167 may be configured to penetrate the insulation layer 103.

[0156] Each connector 161-167 may be an elongated member (e.g., a rod). Each elongated member may have any suitable shape. For example, the elongated member may be substantially rectangular. The elongated member may be substantially cylindrical (i.e., rod-shaped). Each connector 161-167 may be formed from any suitable material. Each connector 161-167 may be formed at least in part from a metal and / or plastic material. Each connector 161-167 may be configured to support a structural load greater than the insulation layer 103. For example, each connector 161-167 may be formed from a material capable of supporting a structural load greater than the insulation layer 103.

[0157] 3A-3H show that each connector 161-167 extends from the first composite structural support layer 101, through the insulation layer 103, and to the second composite structural support layer 102. The building block 100 may include any suitable number of connectors 161-167. In the exemplary building block 100 shown in FIGS. 3A-3H, the building block 100 includes twelve connectors 161-167, although only seven of the connectors 161-167 are shown.

[0158] 3H shows an apparatus 350 configured to move a building block 100. The apparatus 350 comprises a clamp 352 configured to grip the building block 100.

[0159] During testing, the inventors have found that clamping the construction block 100 with the clamps 352 (e.g., by applying opposing forces in the y-dimension) at positions on the exterior and interior surfaces 123, 124 of the construction block 100 that are substantially aligned in the z-dimension with the connectors 161-167 of the construction block 100 reduces damage to the construction block 100 when the construction block 100 is being moved by the apparatus 350. This can occur when the connectors 161-167 are configured to support a structural load greater than the insulation layer 103. The connectors 161-167 and the composite structural support layers 101, 102 provide a bridging effect that helps prevent damage to the insulation layer 103.

[0160] 4 shows a perspective view of a third example building block 200. The third example building block 200 includes several features that are the same or similar to the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the third example building block 100 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0161] The faces 121-126 of the third example building block 200 shown in Figure 4 differ from the first and second examples 100, 500 in that the inner and outer faces 123, 124 are substantially triangular in shape. The building block 200 shown in Figure 4 is triangular in shape. Other than its overall shape, the building block 200 shown in Figure 4 may include any of the features of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 300, 400, 500, 600 detailed herein.

[0162] 5A shows a perspective view of a fourth example building block 300. The fourth example building block 300 includes several of the same or similar features as the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the fourth example building block 100 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0163] The top surface 121 and bottom surface 122 differ from the first and second examples 100, 500 in that the top and bottom surfaces 121, 122 are L-shaped as shown in Figure 5A. The building block 300 shown in Figure 5A is a prism that is L-shaped in shape. Other than its overall shape, the building block 300 shown in Figure 5A can include any of the features of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 400, 500, 600 detailed herein.

[0164] Advantageously, different shaped building blocks allow for the construction of different shaped portions of the system architect house 810. In the illustrated example, the front wall (first side) 111 comprises a plurality of building blocks as shown in Figures 3 and 5A to provide a rectangular parallelepiped structure. In the illustrated example, the upper portions of the left and right walls (third and fourth sides) 113, 114 comprise a plurality of building blocks as shown in Figure 4 to support the roof.

[0165] 6 shows a perspective view of a fifth example building block 400. The fifth example building block 400 includes several features that are the same or similar to the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the fifth example building block 400 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0166] The inner surface 123 and outer surface 122 differ from the first and second examples 100, 500 in that the upper and lower surfaces 121, 122 are hollow squares as shown in Figure 6. The building block 400 shown in Figure 6 includes twelve male portions 171-182. Other than the overall shape, the building block 300 shown in Figure 5A can include any of the features of the other example building blocks 100, 200, 300, 500, 600 detailed herein.

[0167] 7 shows a side view of a sixth example building block 600. The sixth example building block 600 includes several of the same or similar features as the second example building block 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the sixth example building block 600 can include any of the features of the second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0168] 7 illustrates that the first composite structural support layer 101 includes a support 601. The support 601 is configured to support at least a portion of the floor. The support 601 may be formed from the first composite structural support layer 101. The support 601 may be an additional portion configured to be supported by the building block 600 (e.g., by the male portions 171-182). Other than the overall shape, the building block illustrated in FIG. 7 may include any of the features of the other building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 detailed herein.

[0169] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of an exemplary foundation 815 of an exemplary systems architect house 810. The foundation 815 comprises a plurality of building blocks. The foundation 815 may comprise any of the building blocks described below. The foundation 815 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises at least one of the examples of building blocks 700, 800, 900, and 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 9A-13B.

[0170] 8, the exemplary foundation 815 includes a platform 815a. The platform 815a may be formed using any suitable material that complies with building regulations (e.g., UK Building Code), such as concrete. The exemplary foundation 815 includes a support layer 815b. The support layer 815b may be configured to support the walls 811-814 of the system architect house 810.

[0171] In the exemplary foundation 815, the support layer 815b comprises building blocks 700, 800, 900, 1000, which are seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth examples.

[0172] 9A and 9B show perspective and end views of a seventh example building block 700. The seventh example building block 700 includes several of the same or similar features as the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the seventh example building block 700 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0173] 9A and 9B show a Cartesian coordinate system 130 with x, y and z axes defining length, depth and height dimensions, as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0174] The building blocks can include feet 911-914. The feet 911-914 can extend from the lower surface 122. The feet 911-914 can be configured such that when the feet 911-914 contact a flat base surface (e.g., platform 815a), a void is defined (at least in part) by the feet 911-914, the lower surface 122, and the flat base surface.

[0175] 9A and 9B includes a plurality of legs 911-914 extending from the lower surface 122. In the z dimension, the legs having reference numbers 911 and 912 extend farther (i.e., are longer in the z dimension) than the legs having reference numbers 913, 914. When the longer legs 911, 912 contact a flat base surface, a void 920 is defined (at least in part) by the longer legs 911, 912, the lower surface 122, and the flat base surface.

[0176] The longer legs 911, 912 define a cavity 920 that becomes a closed channel 940 when in contact with a flat base surface (e.g., the channel is at least partially constrained in the z dimension by the upper surface (e.g., the lower surface 122)).

[0177] The building block 700 may include through holes 931, 932 that extend from the upper surface 121 through the lower surface 122 and into the cavity 920. The through holes 931, 932 that extend in this manner allow leveling material to be received into the cavity from the upper surface 121. The feet 911, 914 that at least partially define the cavity may be closer to the periphery of the lower surface 122 than the through holes 931, 932. The periphery of the lower surface may be defined by the inner surface 123.

[0178] The building block 700 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B includes a plurality of through holes 931, 932 that extend from the upper surface 121 through the lower surface 122 into the cavity 920.

[0179] 9B, foot 911 is closer to the periphery of lower surface 122 (in the x dimension) than through-holes 931, 932 are to the periphery of lower surface 122 (in the x dimension). Thus, foot 911 at least partially helps contain within base 815 the leveling material poured into through-holes 931, 932.

[0180] The leveling material may include any suitable material, such as concrete, to improve the leveling of the building blocks 700, 800, 900, 1000 in the foundation 815. The leveling material may be poured into the void 920 through the through-holes 931, 932. The through-holes 931, 932 allow a user to pour the leveling material into the void 920 after the building blocks 700, 800, 900, 1000 have formed at least a portion of the foundation 815.

[0181] The building block 700 shown in Figures 9A and 9B may include any of the features of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 detailed herein.

[0182] 10A and 10B show perspective and top views of an eighth example building block 800. The eighth example building block 800 includes several features that are the same or similar to the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the eighth example building block 800 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0183] 10A and 10B show a Cartesian coordinate system 130 with x, y, and z axes defining length, depth, and height dimensions, as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0184] The top surface 121 of the construction block 800 may include blind holes 811-814 configured to receive a leveler. The leveler may be a device used to help level the construction block 800 with another construction block that is placed on the top surface 121 of the construction block 800.

[0185] The leveller may comprise a spacer member such as a shim. The leveller may comprise a spacer member as described in UK Patent Application No. 0713837.3. The leveller may comprise a spacer device as described in UK Patent Application No. 1707963.3.

[0186] The extent of the blind holes 811-814 in the depth dimension and / or length dimension may be greater than the extent of the blind holes in the width dimension. In other words, the blind holes 811-814 may be shallow.

[0187] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary foundation 815 including building blocks 700, 800 of the seventh and eighth examples.

[0188] The dashed line indicated by reference numeral 1101 is the common portion between the seventh example building block 700 and the eighth example building block 800. As shown in Figure 11, the (shorter) feet 913, 914 contact the top surface 121 of the eighth example building block 800. The male portion 172 of the eighth example building block 800 is at least partially received in the corresponding female portion of the seventh example building block 700.

[0189] The dashed line indicated by reference numeral 1102 is the intersection of the seventh example building block 700 with the flat base surface.

[0190] 12A and 12B show perspective and end views of a ninth example building block. Ninth example building block 900 includes some of the same or similar features as first example 500, second example 100, and seventh example (block) 700 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that ninth example building block 900 can include any of the features of first example building block 500, second example building block 100, and seventh example building block 700 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0191] The top surface 121 and bottom surface 122 differ from those of the first, second and seventh examples 100, 500, 700 in that the top and bottom surfaces 121, 122 are L-shaped as shown in Figures 12A and 12B. The building block 900 shown in Figures 12A and 12B is a prism that is L-shaped in shape.

[0192] The lower surface 122 differs from that of the seventh example 700 in that the lower surface 122 comprises two legs 911, 912 instead of four legs. The surface 122 differs from that of the seventh example 700 in that the lower surface 122 is not flat but rather defines an at least partially U-shaped cavity 920.

[0193] Other than the overall shape and lower surface 122, the building block 900 shown in Figures 12A and 12B may include any of the features of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000 detailed herein.

[0194] 13A and 13B show perspective and top views of a tenth example building block 1000. The tenth example building block 1000 includes several of the same or similar features as the first example 500 and second example 100 described above, which features will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. Unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the tenth example building block 1000 can include any of the features of the first example building block 500 and second example building block 100 described and / or illustrated herein. Corresponding reference numerals have been used where appropriate.

[0195] The top surface 121 and bottom surface 122 differ from those of the first and second examples 100, 500 in that the top and bottom surfaces 121, 122 are L-shaped as shown in Figures 13A and 13B. The building block 1000 shown in Figures 13A and 13B is a prism that is L-shaped in shape. Other than its overall shape, the building block 1000 shown in Figures 13A and 13B can include any of the features of the other exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 detailed herein.

[0196] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional end view of an exemplary foundation including building blocks 900, 1000 of the ninth and tenth examples.

[0197] The dashed line indicated by reference numeral 1401 is the common portion between the ninth example building block 900 and the tenth example building block 1000. As shown in Figure 14, the feet 911, 912, the lower surface 122 and the flat base surface define a cavity 920. The male portion 172 of the tenth example building block 1000 is at least partially received in the corresponding female portion of the ninth example building block 900.

[0198] 15 illustrates an exemplary method 1500 of forming any of the exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 as described above. The method includes step 1502, which includes connecting at least one connector 161-167 to the insulation layer 103 such that the at least one connector 161-167 extends from at least one surface of the insulation layer 103. The method further includes step 1504, which includes forming a first composite structural support layer 101 against at least one surface such that the first composite structural support layer 101 and the insulation layer 103 are connected via the connectors 161-167. The method 1500 can further include vibrating at least the first composite structural support layer 101. For example, if the first composite structural support layer 101 comprises concrete, vibrating the first composite structural support layer 101 reduces the amount of air held by the first composite structural support layer 101, thereby improving the strength of the first composite structural support layer 101.

[0199] The construction blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 can be considered to be for the system architect house 810 because layers 101, 102, 103 of the construction blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 can be processed into the construction blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 before they reach the site for building the system architect house 810. Advantageously, the building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 comprising the first composite structural support layer 101, the second composite structural support layer 102, and the insulation layer 103 facilitate assembly of the system-built house 810 because each separate layer does not need to be constructed separately on-site, but rather each building block 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 comprising those layers is prefabricated before construction of the house 810 begins.

[0200] 16 illustrates an exemplary method 1600 for forming at least a portion of a system-built house 810. The method includes step 1602, which includes forming a foundation 815 for the system-built house 810. For example, the foundation 815 can be formed using any suitable method that complies with building codes. The method further includes step 1604, which includes connecting a first building block 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 to a second building block 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 to form at least a portion of the walls 811-814 of the system-built house 810. The method further includes connecting any suitable number of building blocks 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 to form a system architect house 810 .

[0201] An exemplary building block (not shown) for the system builder 810 includes a first face 111, a second face 112, and a third face 113, with the first face 111 being at least partially formed from aggregate. The exemplary building block may also include at least one channel 11-13, 21-24 defined in the first face 111, extending from the second face 112 to the third face 113 and positioned to support a conduit in the first face 111. The example building block may include at least one layer 101, 102, 103 (i.e., one of the composite structural support layers 101, 102 or the insulation layer 103). The exemplary building block may also consist of a single layer 101, 102, 103.

[0202] Exemplary building blocks may include any of the features of exemplary building blocks 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 shown in Figures 2A through 7 and 9 through 14. For example, channels 11-13 extending from second surface 112 to third surface 113 may be elongated in a first dimension. The exemplary building block may include additional channels 21-24 defined in first surface 111, where the additional channels intersect with channels 11-13. Channels 11-13 may include a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces 4, 6, and 8 positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support a conduit. The additional channel may at least intersect the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces 4, 6, and 8 positioned along the first dimension. The building block can include a fourth surface 114 and a fifth surface 115, with the additional channel extending from the fourth surface 114 to the fifth surface 115. The additional channels 21-24 can extend from the fourth surface 114 to the fifth surface 115 in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The additional channels can be elongated in the second dimension. The channels and the additional channels can define an intersection 61 that allows conduits to be routed in the channels 11-13 and the additional channels 21-24. The building block can include a plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24 defined in the first surface 111, with the plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24 configured to support a plurality of conduits on the first surface. The plurality of channels 11-13, 21-24 are arranged in a grid.

[0203] A further exemplary building block (not shown) for the system builder house 10 may include faces 111-116 formed at least in part from aggregate and a grid of channels 11-13, 21-24 defined in the faces 111-116 and arranged to support conduits in the faces 111-116.

[0204] The term "comprise" is used in this document in an inclusive rather than exclusive sense, i.e. a reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. Where the exclusive sense of "comprise" is intended, this will be made clear in the context by a reference to "comprising only one ..." or by the use of "consisting".

[0205] As used herein, the terms "connect," "couple," and "communication," along with their derivatives, mean to be operatively connected / coupled / in communication. It is understood that any number or combination of intervening components can be present (including no intervening components), i.e., to enable direct or indirect connections / couplings / communications. Any such intervening components can include hardware and / or software components.

[0206] As used herein, the term "determine / determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, among other things, calculation, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, identifying, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or another data structure), ascertaining, etc. "Determining" can also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), obtaining, etc. "Determining" can also include resolving, selecting, choosing, setting, etc.

[0207] Various examples have been referenced herein. The description of a feature or function with respect to an example indicates that the feature or function is present in that example. Whether explicitly stated or not, the use of the terms "example" or "for example" or "can" or "may" in a document indicates that such feature or function is present in at least the described example, whether or not it is described as an example, and may, but is not necessarily present in, some or all of the other examples. Thus, "example," "for example," "can," or "may" refers to a particular instance within a class of examples. The characteristics of that instance may be characteristics of that instance alone, or of the class, or of a subclass of that class that includes some but not all of the instances of the class. Thus, a feature described with reference to one example without reference to another example is implicitly disclosed to be usable in that other example, if possible, as part of a workable combination, although not necessarily used in that other example.

[0208] Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it will be understood that modifications to those examples can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0209] Features described in the preceding specification may be used in combinations other than those expressly set out above.

[0210] Although functionality has been described with reference to particular features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether or not described.

[0211] Although features have been described with reference to particular examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether or not described.

[0212] The terms "a," "an," or "the" are used herein in an inclusive, rather than exclusive, sense. That is, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, any reference to X comprising a / an / the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise two or more Ys. Where "a," "an," or "the" is intended to be exclusive, this will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances, the use of "at least one" or "one or more" may be used to emphasize an inclusive sense, but their absence should not be construed as implying an exclusive sense.

[0213] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) per se, as well as to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). Equivalent features include, for example, features that are variations and features that achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. Equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

[0214] In this specification, when referring to various examples, adjectives or adjective phrases are used to describe properties of those examples. Describing a property in this manner with respect to an example indicates that in some instances the property is present exactly as described and in other instances the property is present substantially as described.

[0215] While the foregoing specification describes several examples of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize possible alternative structures and method features that provide equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above, and that have been omitted from the above description for brevity and clarity. Nevertheless, unless such alternative structures or method features are expressly excluded in the above description of examples of the present disclosure, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features that provide equivalent functionality.

[0216] Although the preceding specification has sought to draw attention to features believed to be important, it is understood that applicant may seek protection through the claims with respect to any patentable feature or combination of features previously mentioned herein and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not emphasis is placed thereon.

Claims

1. A building block for a system architect, A thermal insulation layer; a composite structural support layer adjacent to the thermal insulation layer; an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises at least one male portion and the lower surface comprises at least one female portion, or the upper surface comprises at least one female portion and the lower surface comprises at least one male portion; A construction block having a first side and a second side spaced apart from the first side along a depth dimension of the building block, wherein the first side comprises at least one male portion and the second side comprises at least one female portion, or the first side comprises at least one female portion and the second side comprises at least one male portion, the male and female portions of the first and second sides being configured to connect with corresponding male or female portions of another building block, thereby limiting relative movement between the building block and the other building block along the depth dimension of the building block.

2. 2. The construction block of claim 1, wherein the at least one male or at least one female portion of the first side comprises an abutment surface configured to abut against an abutment surface of the at least one male or at least one female portion of the second side, thereby limiting relative movement between the construction block and another construction block along the depth dimension.

3. 3. The building block of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the abutment surface of at least one male portion or at least one female portion of the first side extends from the first side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the depth dimension.

4. 4. A building block according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the top surface comprises blind holes configured to receive levellers.

5. 5. The building block of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are separated by a width dimension of the building block, and the extent of the blind holes in the depth dimension is greater than the extent of the blind holes in the width dimension.

6. 6. A building block according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second composite structural support layer, said insulating layer being sandwiched between said composite structural support layer and said second composite structural support layer.

7. The building block of claim 6 , wherein the composite structural support layer comprises aggregate.

8. 8. The building block of claim 7, wherein the composite structural support layer comprises concrete.

9. A building block according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insulating layer has a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W / mK.

10. 10. The building block of claim 9, wherein the insulating layer comprises fiber reinforced plastic.

11. A building block according to any preceding claim, wherein the building block comprises a connector extending from the composite structural support layer through the insulation layer to a second composite structural support layer.

12. 12. The building block of claim 11, wherein the connector is configured to support a structural load greater than the insulation layer.

13. A building block according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the thermal insulation layer is greater than the thickness of each of the first and second composite structural support layers.

14. 14. The building block of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the insulation layer is in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm, and the thickness of each of the first and second composite structural support layers is in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm.

15. 15. The building block of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the composite structural support layer comprises a first side, a second side, a third side, and at least one channel defined in the first side, extending from the second side to the third side, and positioned to support a conduit in the first side.

16. 16. The building block of claim 15, wherein the conduit is an indoor pipe.

17. 17. A building block according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the channel extending from the second face to the third face is elongated in a first dimension.

18. 19. A building block according to claim 16, 17 or 18, further comprising a further channel defined in said first surface, said further channel intersecting said channel.

19. 20. The building block of claim 18, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit.

20. 20. The building block of claim 19, wherein the further channel at least intersects the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

21. 20. A building block according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising a fourth side and a fifth side, the further channel extending from the fourth side to the fifth side.

22. 22. The building block of claim 21, wherein the additional channel extends from the fourth face to the fifth face in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

23. 23. The building block of claim 22, wherein said further channel is elongated in said second dimension.

24. 24. A building block according to any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the channel and the further channel define a common portion which allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

25. 26. A building block according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the building block comprises a plurality of channels defined in the first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

26. 26. A building block according to any preceding claim, wherein the top surface is at least partially defined by a first of the composite structural support layers and a second of the composite structural support layers, the top surface comprising a plurality of male and female portions, at least one male or female portion defined by the first of the composite structural support layers and at least one male or female portion defined by the second of the composite structural support layers.

27. 27. A building block according to any preceding claim, wherein the building block is substantially rectangular in shape and has a length, a width and a thickness, the length and width being greater than the thickness.

28. 28. A building block according to claim 27, wherein the length is in the range 200mm to 1500mm and the width is in the range 200mm to 1000mm.

29. a foot extending from the lower surface and configured to contact a flat base surface, wherein a cavity is defined by the foot, the lower surface, and the flat base surface when the foot contacts the flat base surface; a through hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface into the cavity so as to be able to receive a leveling material from the upper surface into the cavity; 29. A building block according to any preceding claim, further comprising:

30. A system-built house comprising a plurality of the building blocks according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. A building block for a system architect, A thermal insulation layer; a composite structural support layer adjacent to the insulation layer, the composite structural support layer comprising a surface and a plurality of channels defined in the surface, the plurality of channels configured to support at least one conduit in the surface and arranged in a grid; and A building block comprising:

32. 32. The building block of claim 31 , wherein the conduit comprises an indoor pipe.

33. 33. The building block of claim 32, wherein the interior pipe comprises a water pipe.

34. 34. A building block according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the indoor tube has a diameter greater than 10 mm.

35. 35. A building block as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, further comprising a second surface spaced apart from the surface along a depth dimension of the building block, the insulating layer adjacent to the second surface.

36. A building block for a system architect, A thermal insulation layer; a composite structural support layer; upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces being at least partially defined by the insulation layer and the composite structural support layer, respectively; a foot extending from the lower surface and configured to contact a flat base surface, wherein a cavity is defined by the foot, the lower surface, and the flat base surface when the foot contacts the flat base surface; a through hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface into the cavity so as to be able to receive a leveling material from the upper surface into the cavity; A building block comprising:

37. 37. A building block according to claim 36, wherein the feet are closer to the periphery of the lower surface than the through holes.

38. 38. A building block according to claim 36 or 37, further comprising a further foot extending from the lower surface, the foot and the further foot defining a closed channel when the foot and the further foot contact the flat base surface.

39. A building block for a system architect, a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the first surface being formed at least in part from aggregate; at least one channel defined in the first surface and extending from the second surface to the third surface, the channel positioned to support a conduit on the first surface; A building block comprising:

40. 40. The building block of claim 39, wherein the channel extending from the second surface to the third surface is elongated in a first dimension.

41. 41. The building block of claim 40, further comprising an additional channel defined in said first surface, said additional channel intersecting said channel.

42. 42. The building block of claim 41, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension and arranged to support the conduit.

43. 43. The building block of claim 42, wherein the further channel at least intersects the channel by extending between at least two of the discontinuous support surfaces positioned along the first dimension.

44. 44. A building block according to claim 42 or 43, further comprising a fourth side and a fifth side, the further channel extending from the fourth side to the fifth side.

45. 45. The building block of claim 44, wherein the additional channel extends from the fourth face to the fifth face in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

46. 46. ​​The building block of claim 45, wherein said further channel is elongated in said second dimension.

47. 47. A building block according to any of claims 41 to 46, wherein the channel and the further channel define a common portion which allows a conduit to be routed in the channel and the further channel.

48. 48. A building block as described in any of claims 40 to 47, wherein the building block comprises a plurality of channels defined in the first surface, the plurality of channels configured to support a plurality of conduits in the first surface and arranged in a grid.

49. A building block for a system architect, a surface formed at least in part from aggregate; a grid of channels defined in said surface and arranged to support a conduit on said surface; A building block comprising:

50. A building block for a system architect, a first composite structural support layer; a second composite structural support layer; a thermal insulation layer sandwiched between the first composite structural support layer and the second composite structural support layer; A building block comprising:

51. 1. A method for manufacturing building blocks for a system builder, comprising: connecting at least one connector to the insulation layer such that the at least one connector extends from at least one surface of the insulation layer; forming a first composite structural support layer in contact with the at least one surface such that the first composite structural support layer and the thermal insulation layer are connected via the connector; A method comprising:

52. 51. A method for constructing a system-built house using building blocks according to any one of claims 1 to 50, comprising the steps of: forming a foundation for said system architect; connecting a first building block according to any one of claims 1 to 50 with a second building block according to any one of claims 1 to 50 to form at least a part of a wall of the system-built house; A method comprising:

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