Custom Multi-Family Polycore Project, Edmonton Alberta before final cladding and finishes Photo supplied by Polycore
NP-UN
Western Bureau
Two Albertans are proposing a post-war reconstruction program for Ukraine using a unique system developed in Canada.
This system, called Polycore, integrates structure and insulation into pre-designed and pre-cut building sections that can be handled without special lifting or placement equipment, while still retaining cost effectiveness for residential and commercial projects.
“Thus, a project will require less time, less funding, and less hassle and still finish with a high quality and longer lasting structure,” according to the developers.
Mark Cunningham, owner of Polycore, and architect Yarema Shulakewych say the benefits of utilizing this system in Ukraine are as follows:
• It is very energy efficient saving on fuel because it keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer;
• It uses polystyrene and metal studs for the wall structure that saves on the environment in that no wood (trees) are used;
• Construction time is cut at least by 50% and thus the cost savings in construction time are very substantial;
• Construction can be carried out by unskilled labor;
• Scale ability of manufacturing is straightforward in that the project can start small and grow quickly to a large production facility.
• Very little concrete is required which makes scheduling much less complicated.
Other construction components such as wood trusses, windows, finishing materials can be easily sourced locally and are complementary to the Polycore system Cunningham has had 19 years experience manufacturing with Polycore projects in Canada, USA and Poland and has constructed 1,600 homes plus many commercial projects with this system.
Shulakewych has over 45 years experience in design and construction including two major projects as project manager in Ukraine for the Canadian Government. These are the rehab of Dnipro River in Kyiv with the International Development Research Centre (IRDC), and Small Business and Economic Development in Ivano-Frankivsk with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The scope of the project is to provide technical transfer in 3 general phases.
Phase 1 will cover the design and construction of housing examples to be organized in Canada and later transferred to Ukraine. The aim is to start with two manufacturing facilities and eventually have multiple small and movable units manufacturing Polycore panels throughout Ukraine for foundation and wall system.
Phase 2 will involve setting up and developing a business plan and implementation of this unique system in Ukraine by Canadians.
Phase 3 will involve setting up two model factories – one in western Ukraine and the other in eastern Ukraine, for the production of Canadian style housing.
Total cost for the project is estimated at $10 million.
“The $10 million budget is very basic as a great deal of money for housing construction will be required in many areas of Ukraine. This budget figure can be expanded by the Canadian government depending on government priorities. More likely the finances will be programmed by the Ukrainian government or even through private investment. The financial aspect of the proposal could be negotiated on a federal government to government basis,” states a proposal prepared by Cunningham and Shulakewych.
“The full scale attack by the Russian Federation on Ukraine starting on February 24, 2022 is continuing and has had a devastating effect on the life of the civilian population, destruction of infrastructure and buildings. Eventually the war, as all wars, will come to an end and it will be time to rebuild. Churches, schools, factories, and especially housing that has been decimated by bombs will need to be repaired or be reconstructed. Assistance in way of money, materials and expertise has is already being contributed by various countries. At the same time this also presents an opportunity for innovative solutions. All indications are that the west, including Canada, can and probably will be instrumental in this process.
“One area of assistance that will certainly be a priority is housing for obvious reasons. Canada can play a leading role in this sector because of extensive knowledge in house construction developed over time,” they add.
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