Development Density / Infill Sites

Channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure.

While the specific criteria for many rating systems pertain to urban density and surrounding services, the goal is explicit to existing infrastructure and at the very least implicit to infill sites. Certain product systems inherently provide value in support of this goal by their performance properties or flexibility in design and construction.

Concrete masonry walls intrinsically provide fire and separation walls. In our region, walls are typically solid-grouted; therefore, a common 8-inch thick concrete masonry wall meets a 4-hour resistance rating just as it is. Stud-based systems must add significant layers for fire resistance.

Unitized materials such as these are ideal for sites with limited access and working space.