Future formwork construction: Practical custom designs, occupational safety and sustainable building
The requirements for formwork have never been as comprehensive as they are today. The construction industry is evolving day by day, and free forms and exposed concrete are now part of the standard design. While the focus on construction sites remains on cost effectiveness, occupational safety is increasingly taking center stage, along with sustainability aspects such as certifications from organizations like Breeam and DGNB. The formwork manufacturer is now involved in the entire process, from the first idea and concept to production, delivery, and ongoing support.
Historically, sustainability was merely a planning process for the formwork manufacturer. For instance, the initial checks were whether all door and window openings had the same dimensions, and whether all walls were brought to a standard grid length. Any significant deviations from the system solution were marked with the famous “to be solved by the client” comment. The main goal was to assist the customer with a rental solution based on rigid systems or standard materials. While this approach is valid, the mindset needs to evolve. Neither construction sites nor the environment would favor wood-intensive traditional solutions. In some cases, site managers are forced to choose between cost effectiveness and sustainability. The image Fig. 1 illustrates a practical solution that can be adapted to various widths, heights, and wall thicknesses through modular attachments. This approach caters to environmental aspects and financial considerations alike.
As formwork manufacturers, we need to be as flexible as the designers in these modern times. Adaptability, modifiability, and flexibility are the future of formwork construction. There needs to be a transparent connection between the client, designer, construction contractor, and formwork manufacturer. While this works well in a few cases, particularly in large projects, there is still considerable room for improvement.
