Recommended X-Frame™ Use-Cases
X-Frame™ is an adaptable, reconfigurable, flexible and light-weight wall framing system. Explore some of our recent built projects below…
Structural Walls
Partition Walls
DIY Kit-Sets
Event Infrastructure
Ashbourne Prototype
Built in July and August 2020 this seventeen square meter X-Frame™ prototype adopted X-Frame™ Series 5 and was our first test of the system outside of New Zealand.
The Ashbourne prototype tested the X-Frame™ technology in an Australian context. Using Australian grown and manufactured H2 treated structural plywood X-Frame™ components were manufactured by Workspace and assembled by a licensed builder. This prototype tested X-Frame™ Series 5 (5.14) which was based on a 1200mm module with a wall thickness of 120mm. The design integrated solid timber members at 1200mm centers in the roof with the X-Frame™ acting as a lateral bracing element and fixing interface for the interior linings.
Prototype Building Specifications:
6.0m long by 3.6m wide.
Mono-pitch ceiling (front to back) using custom X-Frame™ parts for the raked walls (between 2.56m and 2.96m high).
R2.6 Rock-Wool insulation (high density).
12mm untreated BD grade non-structural internal plywood wall linings in full sheet panels for wall linings (fixed using hidden X-Frame Fir-Tree clips and screws).
12mm particle board ceiling linings in 840mm square panels for ceiling linings (fixed using hidden X-Frame™ Fir-Tree clips and screws).
21mm IBS strand-board floor deck.
0.6m high & 2.4m wide double glazed aluminum framed window.
1.9m wide & 2.3m high double glazed aluminum framed sliding door unit.
Built in 3.6m2 deck (north facing).
Corrugated Steel Cladding & Flashing.
Conventional raised timber floor foundations.
Ardmore Prototype
Built in October 2019 this ten square meter X-Frame™ prototype adopted X-Frame™ Series 3.
Construction of the Ardmore prototype was made possible through the generous support of the Norman Barry Foundation (administered through the KiwiNet emerging innovator program). This project was also supported by Steel and Tube New Zealand (sponsorship of the metal cladding, roofing and flashing’s), Abodo (supply at cost price of thermally modified plywood cladding), Fastmount (supply internal wall lining clips), Jacobson’s (supply of cradle to cradle certified flooring tiles) and the Faculty of Architecture at Unitec (use of CNC routing equipment).
Prototype Specifications:
4.2m long by 3.36m (external footprint).
Mono-pitch ceiling (between 2.56m and 2.96m high).
R3.0 (115mm) Terra Lana Sheep Wool Blend Blanket Insulation.
12mm untreated CD grade non-structural internal plywood wall linings in 600mm square tiles (fixed using hidden Fastmount panel clips).
21mm IBS strand-board floor deck.
0.6m wide & 1.4m high double glazed aluminum framed window.
1.4m wide & 1.95m high double glazed aluminum framed french door unit.
Built in 2.84m2 deck (north facing).
Colorsteel CustomORB Corrugated Steel Cladding & Flashing (courtesy of Steel and Tube New Zealand Limited).
Abodo Thermally Modified 12mm Vulcan Ply Cladding in 594m shingles with a hidden fixing bracket.
Watergate Plus pliable building membrane.
4x 100mm by 200mm Macrocarpa Sleepers on 0.5m square concrete pads.
Galloway Prototype
Built between December 2019 and January 2020 this ten square meter X-Frame™ prototype adopted X-Frame Series 4™.
Construction of the Galloway prototype was made possible through the generous support of the Norman Barry Foundation (administered through the KiwiNet emerging innovator program). This project was also supported by Steel and Tube New Zealand (sponsorship of the metal cladding, roofing and flashings), Abodo (supply at cost price of thermally modified plywood), and Autex (supply of recycled polyester insulation).
Prototype Specifications:
3.5m long by 2.8m wide.
Mono-pitch ceiling (between 2.4m and 3m high).
R2.6 (140mm) Autex GreenStuf Recycled Polyester Insulation.
12mm Straw-board Internal Wall Linings (exposed bolt fix).
24mm BD grade untreated plywood flooring.
1.1m wide & 1.7m high double glazed SmartFit Window.
1.6m wide & 2.3m high double glazed SmartFit Door.
Built in 4.6m2 deck (north facing).
Colorsteel CustomORB Corrugated Steel Cladding & Flashing (courtesy of Steel and Tube New Zealand Limited).
Abodo Thermally Modified 12mm Vulcan Ply Cladding in 1200m shingles.
Abodo Thermally Modified 12mm Vulcan Ply 2nds as rigid sheathing.
4x 100mm by 200mm Macrocarpa Sleepers on 0.5m square concrete pads.
8x ground driven steel anchor rods.
MicroPro® treated castellated cavity battens.
User benefits of the X-Frame™ system;
Allow building’s to be adapted to accommodate future change, from minor renovations to large-scale additions and subtractions.
Adds value for resale to future building owners who may wish to make adaptations or removals (through reduced renovation expenses).
Allows for ease of maintenance and repair of components, and enables product leasing/take-back.
Reduced material toxicity through a focus on end-of-life reuse and recycling capability and thus reduced occupant exposure to environmental and health impacts from materials.
Reduced future liability and waste disposal costs.
Preserves the embodied energy that is invested in building materials.
Facilitates the substitution of recovered materials for virgin resource-use.
Makes deconstruction cost effective in developed economies by reducing time and labor requirements.
Enables tax benefits to commercial building owners by the segregation of building components, enabling a classifications of personal property for building components with a much shorter depreciation life than as fixed real property.
With reference to Guy and Ciarimboli, 2017.
Note that all X-Frame is made from 12mm/18mm F8 (minimum) Structural Plywood (to AS/NZS 2269) with CD or BD grade face finishes.