EP4100584A1

EP4100584A1 - Building system

Info

Publication number: EP4100584A1
Application number: EP21703752.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Lazarus SINCLAIR
Original assignee: Dvlp International Ltd
Current assignee: Dvlp International Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-03
Filing date: 2021-01-28
Publication date: 2022-12-14
Also published as: GB202001437D0; WO2021156603A1; US20230078431A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a building system for building a structure such as a dwelling, garage, shop, school, hall or the like comprising a number of interconnecting components whose assembly is dictated by their size and shape, the invention extends to components of said building system; a kit of parts thereof; and a method for building dwellings, garages, shops, schools, halls or the like.

Description

Building system

Field of the Invention

Background of the Invention

Working with traditional building bricks is becoming increasingly out-dated. In some parts of the world, such as Africa, there are many issues surrounding the production of such building bricks and their sustainability. Moreover, it is often the case that most traditional bricks produced in Africa are not regulated this, in turn, creates a series of problems with regards to the longevity of construction projects. Furthermore, the production of bricks requires the use of wood burning ovens, and so has contributed to deforestation and environmental damage.

An alternative to traditional bricks is Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks [ISSB] They do not involve heating to increase their strength and so their environmental impact is less destructive. Additionally, ISSBs are produced in a mould under pressure, therefore, their quality is consistent. Finally, ISSBs are constructed to be interlocking, thus, they do not require mortar to act as a bonding agent between adjacent bricks, resulting in huge savings on cement.

ISSBs are also favoured because 100% of their production materials can be sourced locally, indeed, approximately 90% of their production materials can be extracted locally from the region where the building project is located. Further, due to their interlocking design, ISSBs are very easy to use; one can become proficient in the use of ISSBs after a single day of induction. Therefore, their use can create an unprecedented amount of job opportunities for local unskilled workers. The Malay Soil Block (MYSB) is another type of interlocking soil block. It is widely used in Asia and is starting to be used in Africa. It is like ISSBs, especially with regard to mix, design and material composition. However, compared to ISSBs, the MYSB only interlocks on the top and on the bottom, whereas the ISSB interlocks on all sides, making it more versatile and effective for modular construction. Secondly, the MYSB is hollow. Thus, additional concrete and steel is required to increase strength and stability. This negates the material savings made from removing mortar due to the higher cost of concrete and steel. Lastly, ISSBs have been proven and tested by UN habitat, making them the most reliable construction product.

The building system herein described has been designed for use with ISSBs, though it can be used with any soil block or a suitably fashioned building component. We believe that when soil blocks are used with our building system productivity will be improved and the quality and consistency of the final product will improve significantly.

Accordingly, we herein disclose a building system for use with ISSBs, or the like, which minimises environmental impact, makes use of local resources and provides job opportunities for local, unskilled workers.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a building system comprising: i) a plurality of ground engaging stakes at least one of which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation for receiving a mating member and also having an inner channel having a rectilinear cross-section at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion and/or indentation, which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; ii) a plurality of ground engaging elongate members wherein at least one end of each member is provided with a protrusion or indentation for mating with said stake; iii) a plurality of upstanding members having a rectilinear cross-section and at least one side thereof has a protrusion and/or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake; and iv) a plurality of capping members adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member.

In a preferred embodiment said building system further comprises at least one and ideally a plurality of ground engaging stake(s) at least one of which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation for receiving a mating member, notably this stake has no central channel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said stakes may be of uniform cross-section along their length, or the upper part may be as claimed and the lower part tapered to assist in ground penetration.

Preferably, the protrusions or indentations of said stakes or ground engaging elongate members or upstanding members are dovetailed to assist in mating.

Most ideally said stakes, at said upper part thereof, are square-sectioned and have a dovetailed protrusion or indentation, ideally an indentation, provided on one, two, three or each side(s) of the square-section. These stakes provide the ground engaging corner features in a building.

In a preferred embodiment said ground engaging elongate members have at least one protrusion or indentation at each end for mating with two spatially remote stakes. These ground engaging elongate members provide the elongate supports on which walls are built using ISSBs. More preferably still, said channel in said stake is centrally or substantially centrally provided and ideally each channel is square-sectioned with a protrusion or indentation, on one, two, three or each side of the square-section. In this arrangement, the upstanding member that mates with said channel is also square-sectioned and it has a corresponding protrusion or indentation, on one, two, three or each side of its square-section. More particularly, where said channel has a protrusion or indentation, on one, two, three or each side of its square-section said upstanding member is fashioned in a complementary manner.

For example, a channel provided with a protrusion on a first side is used with an upstanding member having a complementary indentation on one of its sides; a channel provided with an indentation on a first side is used with an upstanding member having a complementary protrusion on one of its sides; a channel provided with a protrusion on a first and a second side is used with an upstanding member having a complementary indentation on its mating first and second sides; a channel provided with an indentation on a first side and a second side is used with an upstanding member having a complementary protrusion on its mating first and second sides; a channel provided with a protrusion on a first side and an indentation on a second side is used with an upstanding member having a complementary indentation on its mating first side and a complementary protrusion on its mating second side; and a channel provided with an indentation or protrusion on one or more of its sides is used with an upstanding member having a complementary protrusion or indentation on one or more of its mating sides.

In all the above examples, said channels and said upstanding members are fashioned to have a complementary cross-section whereby they can mate theretogether. In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a selected number and combination of the afore stakes, ground engaging elongate members, upstanding members and capping members for the purpose of building a particular sized and shaped structure.

In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a component of the afore building system in accordance with any aspect or embodiment of the invention, or as herein described, comprising a component selected from one or more of the following: i) a stake; ii) a ground engaging elongate member; iii) an upstanding member; and iv) a capping member.

In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for building a structure such as a dwelling, garage, shop or the like comprising: i) positioning stakes at the corners of the structure wherein each stake has an upper part that is rectilinear in cross-section and at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation for receiving a mating member; optionally, at least one stake also has a central channel that is rectilinear in cross-section and at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation, which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; ii) positioning a plurality of ground engaging elongate members between said stakes, at least one end of said ground engaging elongate member is provided with a protrusion or indentation for mating with said stake and mating same together using said protrusions or indentations; iii) positioning an upstanding member in a channel provided in said stake wherein said upstanding member has a rectilinear cross- section and at least one side of which has a protrusion or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake; and iv) positioning soil blocks on said ground engaging elongate members and between said upstanding members whereby a soil block wall is built; v) positioning at least one capping member on at least one upstanding member and the adjacent soil block wall wherein said capping member is adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to” and do not exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

All references, including any patent or patent application, cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Further, no admission is made that any of the prior art constitutes part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following examples. Generally speaking, the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims and drawings). Thus, features, integers, characteristics, compounds or chemical moieties described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. Moreover, unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose.

The Invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the Examples below and to the following Figures wherein:

Figure 1. Shows a perspective, plan and side view of a number of stakes (A- E) in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2. Shows perspective, plan and side view of an elongate ground engaging member (A-C) in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3. Shows a perspective, plan and side view of a capping member (A- B) in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4. Shows a number of upstanding members (A-F) in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the frame or lattice is being assembled;

Figure 6. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the walls are being added to the frame or lattice;

Figure 7. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the structure is nearing completion and capping members are being added;

Figure 8. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the structure is nearing completion and windows then capping members are being added;

Figure 9. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the structure is nearing completion and roof members are being added; Figure 10. Shows a perspective view of the building system when in use and the structure is being adapted to add an additional upper storey;

Figure 11. Shows the completed structure; and

Figure 12. Shows a number of upstanding members (A’-D’) for creating an upper storey in accordance with the invention;

Referring now to the figures and, firstly, to Figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a number of stakes in accordance with the invention. The stakes are usually, but not exclusively, made from concrete and/or other cementitious composites and are typically, but not exclusively, square in section. An upper part thereof [1] is fashioned so that each one of the four sides is provided with an indentation or cut-out [2], typically dovetailed, that runs at least partially along the upper length of each stake. In this respect all the stakes A-E are the same, this is best seen having regard to the plan view of figure 1 . However, stakes A-E differ having regard to their inner or central parts/cross-section. Stakes A-D have a central channel [3] which is square in section but provided, on at least one side with a protrusion or cut-out [4] that extends outwardly with respect to the centre of each channel. Stake A has a single protrusion on a first side, stake B has a single protrusion on a first, second and third side, stake C has a single protrusion on a first side and a second opposite side; stake D has a single protrusion on a first side and a second adjacent side; whereas, stake E has solid centre and so is without a central channel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that whilst stakes A-D are described having regard to a central channel having at least one protrusion on at least one side these stakes may, instead, have at least one indentation that extends inwardly with respect to the centre of each channel. The purpose of the channel and its protrusions/indentations is to securing mating engagement with a complimentarily fashioned member. Stakes A-D are typically used to anchor the upstanding members of Figure 4 whereas stake E is typically used intermittently under the elongate ground engaging members shown in Figure 2 to add extra support.

Referring now to Figure 2 there are shown three elongate ground engaging members (A-C) in accordance with the invention. These members are rectilinear, typically with a flat upper and lower surface and at an end thereof, typically each end thereof, a mating member is provided [5] that is adapted to mate with one of stakes A-E. Thus, given stakes A-E have at least one, ideally dovetailed, indentation or cut-out [2] on at least one and typically each of its four sides, the mating member [5] of the elongate ground engaging members A-C is/are dovetailed extensions whose size and shape is such that they mate securely with stakes A-E.

Elongate ground engaging member A has a flat upper surface on which there is provided, at either end, upstanding supports [6] terminating inwardly of said member in a well [7] Supports [6] are sized and shaped to engage with soil blocks [8], described below.

Elongate ground engaging member B has a flat uninterrupted upper surface.

Elongate ground engaging member C has a flat upper surface on which there is provided a single upstanding support [6] that runs the entire length of the upper surface. Supports [6] is sized and shaped to engage with soil blocks [8], described below.

Referring now to Figure 3, there are shown capping members A & B in accordance with the invention. Capping member A comprises a three-part member [9-11] wherein part [10] is sandwiched between parts [9] and [11] but in a staggered fashion whereby an upper side of part [10] stands proud of the capping member and a lower side of part [10] creates a channel [12] Typically, but not exclusively, members [9-11] are of approximately equal size. Further, parts [9] and [11] have a lower, outwardly projecting lip for engaging with ceiling structures. Capping member B also comprises a three-part member [13-15] wherein part 14 is sandwiched between parts [13] and [15] but part [14] is of a lesser depth whereby when the three parts are brought together and aligned on a first upper side part [14] creates a channel [16] on a lower side. Although capping members A-B have been described having regard to three parts, those skilled in the art will appreciate these members can be made as a single integral component.

Referring now to Figure 4, there are shown upstanding members A-F in accordance with the invention. Each one of the upstanding members comprises three parts [17-19] which parts are brought theretogether to provide an assembled, square-sectioned member having a protrusion on at least one side thereof. Referring now to figure 4 in the order in which the images are presented.

Upstanding member A comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same width is of a shorter length and a greater depth, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether and aligned on one side, part [18] projects out from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length thus creating a square-sectioned member with a protrusion along one side. This is best seen from the plan/top view. Flowever, given member [18] is shorter in length than members [17] and [19] there is an end (shown as upper in the figure) of the assembled structure that comprises an inner channel.

Upstanding member B comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same width is of a shorter length and a greater depth, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether and aligned on one side, part [18] projects out from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length. Flowever, in addition, parts [17] and [19] also have an upstanding ridge along their opposing outer sides. Thus, the assembled structure creates a square-sectioned member with a protrusion along three of its four sides. This is best seen from the plan/top view. However, given member [18] is shorter in length than members [17] and [19] there is an end (shown as upper in the figure) of the assembled structure that comprises an inner channel.

Upstanding member C comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same width is of a shorter length and a greater depth, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether and aligned on one side, part [18] projects out from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length. However, in addition, one of parts [17] and [19] also has an upstanding ridge along its outer side. Thus, the assembled structure creates a square-sectioned member with a protrusion along two adjacent sides of its four sides. This is best seen from the plan/top view. Moreover, given member [18] is shorter in length than members [17] and [19] there is an end (shown as upper in the figure) of the assembled structure that comprises an inner channel.

Upstanding member D comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same width is of a shorter length and a greater depth, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether and part [18] is positioned evenly between parts [17] and [19], part [18] projects out from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length on both sides creating a square-sectioned member with a protrusion along two opposing sides. This is best seen from the plan/top view. Moreover, given member [18] is shorter in length than members [17] and [19] there is an end (shown as upper in the figure) of the assembled structure that comprises an inner channel.

Upstanding member E comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same width is of a longer length and a shorter depth, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether and aligned on one side, part [18] sits inwardly from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length thus creating a channel resulting in a square- sectioned member with an indentation along one side. This is best seen from the plan/top view. Moreover, given member [18] is longer in length than members [17] and [19] there is an end (shown as upper in the figure) of the assembled structure that comprises an extension, best seen in the perspective view.

Upstanding member F comprises parts [17-19] wherein part [18] is sandwiched between parts [17] and [19] and whilst having the same rectangular cross- sectional shape as parts [17] and [19] is positioned between same so that its longest edge is rotated by 90° and also so that it protrudes from an upper end of the assembled structure, this means that when parts [17-19] are brought theretogether part [18] sits inwardly from parts [17] and [19] along its entire length thus creating two opposing channels resulting in a square-sectioned member with two indentations or channels along two opposing sides. This is best seen from the plan/top view. Moreover, given member [18] is made to protrude from an upper end of the assembled structure the upper end comprises an inner extension or protrusion and the lower end an indentation, best seen in the perspective view.

Although upstanding members A-F have been described having regard to three parts, those skilled in the art will appreciate these members can be made as a single integral component.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown a stake A positioned at a corner point within a structure. Stake A is either driven into the ground or dug into the ground and secured with earth, concrete or the like. Elongate ground engaging member A is attached to stake A via end mating member [5] and elongate ground engaging member C is attached to the opposite side of stake A via end mating member [5] Optionally, a concrete slab [20] may be positioned between the ends of members A and C to add further strength to the structure.

Upstanding member A whose cross-sectional profile is complementary with the channel in stake A is then inserted in said channel. At its upper end it may be sealed using a sealing member [21] whose cross-sectional profile is the same as inner part [18] but its length corresponds with that of the upper inner channel of upstanding member A. Sealing member [21] is used when a single storey construction is to be built.

It can be seen in Figure 6 that the frame structure shown in figure 5 is now ready to take building blocks [8] These blocks have a lower channel of the same size and shape as the supports or ridge members [6] on the upper side of elongate ground engaging members A and C. They thus fit comfortably on same and can be built one upon the other in conventional manner using their interlocking features to aid with assembly.

Once the wall parts have been built, upstanding members with side indentations [22] can be used to cap the side of a wall thus provided a partition on which a door may be hung. Alternatively, at suitably spaced positions in a long wall a number of upstanding members, with indentations on opposing sides [23], may be used to add intermediate structural support. Figure 6 shows that using elongate ground engaging members with only supports [6] towards their outer edges provides for gaps in walls to accommodate access into another space.

It can be seen in Figure 7 that once the walls have been built a capping member B of equal width to the wall is added to finish the walls. Flowever, where a window is to be created a shorter capping member is used in both the two spaced horizontal and vertical sides of the window to thus provide a frame about a gap in the soil blocks [8] A capping member B of equal width to the wall is then added to finish the walls, Figure 8.

Finally, as shown in Figure 9, ceiling blocks [24] are added and they are sized and shaped to fit on the lower lip provided on capping member A.

To complete the structure, it can be seen in Figure 9 that a pitched-roof [25] is added and it comprises a number of spaced gable structures whose wall engaging parts are fashioned to engage with capping member A. Once secured in place roof cladding can be added.

For the purpose of development, it is possible to increase the height of this structure, at the time it is being built or at some point thereafter, this involves using the building system to add additional upstanding members. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, sealing members [21] are either omitted or removed from the top of the upstanding member of the invention and a further upstanding member, whose cross-sectional profile is the same as that of the lower or original upstanding member, but having an extending middle part [18] that is sized and shaped to be inserted into the gap normally occupied by the seal [21] This is shown in Figure 12 where an upstanding member corresponding to the upstanding members A-E of Figure 4 are shown. These upstanding members of Figure 12 are for use with the upstanding members of Figure 4, specifically, A of Figure 12 is for use with A of Figure 4, B’ of Figure 12 is for use with B of Figure 4, C’ of Figure 12 is for use with C of Figure 4, D’ of Figure 12 is for use with D of Figure 4 and E’ of Figure 12 is for use with E of Figure 4. The only difference between upstanding members A-D and A’-D’ is that member [18] in A-D’ is greater in length than member [18] in A-D such that when the upstanding member is assembled/made, member [18] extends from the lower part of the upstanding member by an amount that enables the extended lower part of member [18] to fit within the upper inner channel of A- D. A sealing member [21] can then be inserted into the upper channel of upstanding member A-D’. The difference between upstanding member E and E’ is that member [18] in E’ is shorter in length than member [18] in E such that when the upstanding member is assembled/made a lower channel is created that is sized and shaped to sit on top pf upstanding member E of Figure 4, thus accommodating the upper part of member 18 of E. Thus, E’ is fashioned to fit on top of E.

In this way the building system provides for the addition of further floors. The components and techniques described above for the single storey version are then reused until the final structure is complete as shown in Figure 11 .

Claims

1. A building system comprising: i) a plurality of ground engaging stakes at least one of which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member and also having a channel [3] having a rectilinear cross-section at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion and/or indentation [4], which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; ii) a plurality of ground engaging elongate members wherein at least one end of each member is provided with a protrusion or indentation [5] for mating with said stake; iii) a plurality of upstanding members [17, 18, 19] having a rectilinear cross-section and at least one side thereof has a protrusion or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake; and iv) a plurality of capping members [9] adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member.

2. The building system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one or a plurality of ground engaging stake(s) at least one of which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member.

3. The building system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said stakes are of uniform cross-section along their length, or the lower part is tapered to assist in ground penetration.

4. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said stakes are square-sectioned and have a protrusion or indentation [2] provided on one, two, three or each side of their sides.

5. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said stakes have an indentation [2] provided on one, two, three or each side of their sides.

6. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said ground engaging elongate members have at least one protrusion or indentation [5] at each end.

7. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said channel [3] in said stake is centrally or substantially centrally located.

8. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said channel is square-sectioned with a protrusion or indentation, on one, two, three or each side of its sides.

9. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upstanding member that mates with said channel is square-sectioned and it has a protrusion or indentation [4], on one, two, three or each side of its square-section.

10. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said protrusions or indentations [4] are dovetailed to assist in mating.

11. The building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein i) said stakes and said ground engaging members; and/or ii) said channel in said sakes and said upstanding members; and/or iii) said capping members and the upper end of at least one upstanding member; are fashioned in a complementary manner for mating theretogether.

12. A kit of parts comprising a selected number and combination of the following for the purpose of building a structure: i) at least one or a plurality of ground engaging stake(s) which has/have, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member and a central channel [3] having a rectilinear cross-section at least one side thereof is provided with a protrusion or indentation [4], which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; ii) at least one ground engaging elongate member, at least one end of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [5] for mating with said stake; iii) at least one upstanding member [17, 28, 19] having a rectilinear cross-section and at least one side thereof has a protrusion or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake; and iv)at least one capping member adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member.

13. The kit according to claim 12 further comprising at least one or a plurality of ground engaging stakes which has/have, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member.

14. The kit according to claim 12 or 13 further comprising at least one or a plurality of rectilinear upstanding members each one with an indentation or channel along at least one of its elongate sides [22] or an indentation or channel along opposite elongate sides [23] wherein said indentation or channel is fashioned for mating with soil blocks.

15. In, or for use in, a building system according to claims 1-11 or the kit of parts of claims 12 - 14 a component selected from one or more of the following: i) a stake which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member; ii) a stake which has, at an upper part thereof, a rectilinear cross-section, at least one side of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member and a central channel [3] having a rectilinear cross-section at least one side thereof is provided with a protrusion or indentation [4], which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; iii) a ground engaging elongate member, at least one end of which is provided with a protrusion or indentation [5] for mating with said stake; iv) an upstanding member [17, 18, 19] having a rectilinear cross- section and at least one side of which has a protrusion or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake of part ii); v) a capping member [9] adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member and vi) a rectilinear upstanding member with an indentation or channel along at least one of its elongate sides [22] or an indentation along opposite elongate sides [23] wherein said indentation or channel is fashioned for mating with soil blocks.

16. A method for building a structure such as a dwelling, garage, shop, school, hall or the like comprising: i) positioning stakes in the ground at the designated corners, or underneath the designated walls, of said structure wherein each stake has an upper part that is rectilinear in cross- section and at least one side thereof is provided with a protrusion or indentation [2] for receiving a mating member; optionally, at least one stake also having an inner channel [3] that is rectilinear in cross-section and at least one side thereof is provided with a protrusion and/or indentation [4], which channel is for mating with an upstanding member; ii) positioning a plurality of ground engaging elongate members between said stakes, at least one end of said ground engaging elongate member being provided with a protrusion or indentation [5] for mating with said stake and mating same together using said protrusion or indentation; iii) positioning an upstanding member in a channel [3] provided in said stake wherein said upstanding member has a rectilinear cross-section and at least one side thereof has a protrusion or indentation for mating with said channel in said stake; iv) positioning soil blocks on said ground engaging elongate members whereby a soil block wall is built; and v) positioning at least one capping member [9] on at least one upstanding member and an adjacent soil block wall wherein said capping member is adapted to mate with the upper end of at least one upstanding member.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein part iv) may be undertaken before part iii) but in either case a soil block wall is built between a pair of upstanding members or to the side of at least one upstanding member.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17 wherein at selected distances along a wall an upstanding member is inserted to add extra support wherein said upstanding member is rectilinear and has an indentation or channel along at least one of its elongate sides [22] or an indentation along opposite elongate sides [23] and further wherein said indentation or channel is fashioned for mating with soil blocks.