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- TWiC technology has been under research and development
since 1973. It is now proven and commercially available.
- TWiC buildings consist of one or more room-sized TWiC
modules.
- TWiC modules are manufactured by TWiC plants using
locally available materials.
- TWiC plants may be permanently located or transportable.
- TWiC plant sales are accompanied by on-site supervision,
training and technology transfer in regard to both plant
operation and module assembly.
- TWiC modules may be 4- or 5-sided. They are produced by
spraying concrete onto rectangular steel moulds. Provision
is made for windows, doors and other openings. A 4-sided
module is effectively a rectangular cross-section tube; a
5-sided module resembles a box. Additional sides are
added as needed.
- TWiC modules have a nominal wall thickness of 2 inches
(5 cm). They are reinforced throughout with heavy steel wire
mesh and by integrated external concrete ribs.
- TWiC modules may be produced in various Imperial and
metric sizes. A typical size, which forms the basic structural
component for a wide range of building requirements, has
internal dimensions of 16 ft by 12 ft by 8 ft high (4.9 m by
3.7 m by 2.5 m high).
- TWiC construction typically employs about half as much
concrete as conventional construction, making it more
economical. Globally, this translates into a structural
cost of less than $5 US per sq ft ($54 US per sq m).
- TWiC modules can be used singly or in combination to
meet a full range of housing needs from single-family,
single-storey houses to 16-storey apartment blocks and
offices.
- TWiC construction, in combination with conventional
construction methods, may be employed for buildings
requiring large open spans, such as a school gymnasium
or auditorium.
- TWiC modules have internal surfaces as smooth as
gypsum wallboard and may be directly primed and
painted.
- TWiC buildings may be finished to any level from the
most basic to the most luxurious using all available
finishing materials.
- TWiC modules are precision-made, allowing for rapid
assembly and excellent fit of finishing components such
as windows, no building site waste and a minimum of on-site
labour.
- TWiC buildings are intrinsically energy efficient and may
be insulated to any level. Together with a reduced
requirement for concrete and lack of wastage at the building
site this makes them environmentally friendly.
- TWiC modular construction allows buildings to be
architecturally distinctive (with cantilevers and offsets to
create terraces and balconies, etc.) at far less cost
than with conventional construction, or they may be
externally and internally indistinguishable from conventional
concrete or frame construction.
- TWiC buildings are highly resistant to earthquake, fire,
hurricane and heavy levels of daily use. Their low
maintenance requirements cause them to retain their
value and make them a good long-term investment.
- TWiC buildings in use in the Vancouver, Canada area
include townhouses, a 6-storey apartment block, a luxury
home and a mini-storage warehouse. Located on the
Northerly extension of California's San Andreas fault
system, this area of Canada is the one most likely to be
affected by earthquake activity.
- TWiC buildings meet or exceed all Canadian building
standards which are universally recognized and accepted.
- TWiC construction is rapid, versatile and durable. It is the
answer to the world's affordable housing needs.
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