Case Study: APS Build & Ecodome – Efficient Eco-Friendly Foundations
1. Overview
This case study highlights a recent successful collaboration between Ecodome and APS Build for a new residential project located in Kinloch. The project showcased Ecodome's significant advantages in material efficiency, thermal performance, and streamlined design compliance, delivering a superior foundation solution for Andrew and his team at APS Build.
2. Challenge
APS Build required a foundation system that was not only structurally sound and compliant but also offered tangible benefits in terms of construction efficiency, material usage, and environmental responsibility. Key considerations for the project included:
Achieving a specified thermal R-value of 1.5 for the foundation.
Optimising concrete consumption to manage costs and reduce environmental impact.
Ensuring a straightforward and reliable design and installation process, particularly given the "good ground" conditions, which presented an opportunity for efficient design.
3. The Ecodome Solution
Ecodome delivered a comprehensive solution tailored to meet and exceed APS Build's requirements:
The Ecodome System: The core solution involved the supply of Ecodome's innovative pods, made in New Zealand from 100% recycled plastic. Our unique, patented dome design provides exceptional structural strength while requiring significantly less concrete than traditional slab methods.
CodeMark Certified Design Pathway: With the site confirmed as "good ground," APS Build was able to leverage Ecodome's robust CodeMark certification and detailed technical manual for the foundation design. This streamlined the design process, negating the need for a site-specific design (SED) for the slab design itself, saving time and costs.
Superior Inherent Benefits: The Ecodome system inherently offered excellent thermal performance, easily surpassing the R-value target, and its zero on-site waste design aligned perfectly with building on "green foundations."
5. Outcomes
The implementation of the Ecodome system for the APS Build project yielded outstanding results:
Massive Concrete Efficiency: A standout achievement was the minimal concrete usage – only 43 cubic meters for a 278m² foundation. This translates to significant material cost savings, reduced transport emissions, and a lighter overall slab.
Thermal Performance Exceeded: The Ecodome foundation easily surpassed the required R-1.5, contributing to a more energy-efficient and comfortable building envelope.
Simplified & Compliant Design: The ability to use Ecodome's CodeMark certification on "good ground" simplified the design and compliance process for APS Build, ensuring a robust and technically sound foundation without unnecessary engineering complexities for the slab.
Sustainable Build: The use of 100% recycled materials and the elimination of on-site polystyrene waste meant APS Build was genuinely "building on green foundations."
6. Conclusion
This project with APS Build in Kinloch effectively demonstrates Ecodome's compelling value proposition for modern construction. By providing a foundation system that is not only environmentally responsible (100% recycled, zero waste) but also delivers quantifiable efficiencies in material use, superior thermal performance, and a streamlined design pathway thanks to robust CodeMark certification, Ecodome empowers builders like APS Build to construct higher quality, more sustainable buildings with greater ease and confidence. It stands as a testament to building smarter, greener, and stronger from the ground up.
