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What is the wooden block system that allows houses to be built in seven days without using cement? - La Nacion Propiedades
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www.lanacion.com.ar
April 10, 2025
Inspired by Lego blocks, the Belgian Gablok system offers a fast, ecological and precise alternative to building houses without heavy tools or cement.
A view of the house created with Gablok's Lego-like block system
Building a house like a child's play is no longer just a fantasy. If you've ever felt the satisfaction of fitting two Lego pieces together until you hear that perfect "click," you may be closer to building your own home than you think. Inspired by the playful and precise logic of these iconic Danish blocks, some engineers began to translate that same idea into architecture: modular, simple, fast, and sustainable structures.
This is how Gablok was born , a Belgian system that offers an ecological and efficient alternative to cement and steel. These prefabricated wooden blocks are assembled without mortar or complex tools. The result: the structure of a 200 m² house can be completed in just seven days , as if it were a full-scale Lego construction.
The inventor behind this proposal is Gabriel Lakatos , an expert with more than 25 years of experience in the sector who patented this modular system in 2018. His goal was clear from the start: to allow anyone to build their own home easily, quickly, and sustainably. The kit includes eight basic blocks for floors and walls, along with connecting pieces that fit together, like a construction set.
Like Lego pieces, the blocks developed by the Belgian firm Gablok allow a house to be built in six days with a self-taught system that reduces the amount of waste.
Each piece fits together precisely without mortar, speeding up assembly and reducing waste.Gablok Latam
One of the system's most notable features is its thermal insulation capacity : its thermal conductivity is 0.15 W/m²K, making it an excellent option for low-energy homes. This translates into lower heating and cooling costs, and therefore, less environmental impact and lower bills.
Made with OSB wood and a polystyrene core, the blocks combine thermal insulation and low weight. Gablok Latam
On two-story projects, materials arrive in three staggered deliveries: first the blocks for the ground floor, then the beams and mezzanine elements, and finally the components for the upper floor. This allows for order and smooth progress on the construction site.
Assembly can be done without heavy machinery: a ladder, a screwdriver, and the instruction manual are sufficient. This system not only democratizes construction , but also shortens timeframes and reduces the noise and discomfort of conventional construction . Although erecting the structure takes a week, the full completion time is around four months.
Thanks to the modular system, the structure of the house can be completed in just one week, without wet works or delays.Gablok Latam
The blocks are assembled without cement or special tools and offer thermal and acoustic insulation.Gablok Latam
Gablok technology also follows the trend of off-site prefabrication : it is produced in the factory and assembled at the final location, ensuring precision, reducing waste, and improving process efficiency.
Ultimately, this Belgian innovation proves that sometimes great ideas are born from the simplest games . And that perhaps, with the right building blocks, anyone can build much more than a house: a paradigm shift.
www.buysellba.com
Source:
Cómo es el sistema de bloques de madera que permite construir casas en siete días sin usar cemento
Inspirado en los bloques de Lego, el sistema belga Gablok propone una alternativa rápida, ecológica y precisa para levantar viviendas sin herramientas pesadas ni cemento
www.lanacion.com.ar
April 10, 2025
Inspired by Lego blocks, the Belgian Gablok system offers a fast, ecological and precise alternative to building houses without heavy tools or cement.
A view of the house created with Gablok's Lego-like block system
Building a house like a child's play is no longer just a fantasy. If you've ever felt the satisfaction of fitting two Lego pieces together until you hear that perfect "click," you may be closer to building your own home than you think. Inspired by the playful and precise logic of these iconic Danish blocks, some engineers began to translate that same idea into architecture: modular, simple, fast, and sustainable structures.
This is how Gablok was born , a Belgian system that offers an ecological and efficient alternative to cement and steel. These prefabricated wooden blocks are assembled without mortar or complex tools. The result: the structure of a 200 m² house can be completed in just seven days , as if it were a full-scale Lego construction.
The inventor behind this proposal is Gabriel Lakatos , an expert with more than 25 years of experience in the sector who patented this modular system in 2018. His goal was clear from the start: to allow anyone to build their own home easily, quickly, and sustainably. The kit includes eight basic blocks for floors and walls, along with connecting pieces that fit together, like a construction set.
How does it work?
The blocks are made with OSB (oriented strand board) wood panels and a graphitized expanded polystyrene (EPS) core . This combination allows for a lightweight, insulating, and resistant structure, both thermally and acoustically. They are manufactured in three lengths (30, 60, and 90 cm), but always with the same depth and height measurements: 30 cm. The medium-sized block weighs only 7.5 kg, and none exceeds 9 kg, eliminating the need for cranes or other heavy equipment.
Like Lego pieces, the blocks developed by the Belgian firm Gablok allow a house to be built in six days with a self-taught system that reduces the amount of waste.
Each piece fits together precisely without mortar, speeding up assembly and reducing waste.Gablok Latam
One of the system's most notable features is its thermal insulation capacity : its thermal conductivity is 0.15 W/m²K, making it an excellent option for low-energy homes. This translates into lower heating and cooling costs, and therefore, less environmental impact and lower bills.
One step closer to circular construction
Beyond energy efficiency, Gablok also embraces sustainability. EPS is an inert, non-polluting material, and OSB is recyclable and reusable . This combination helps reduce waste and fosters a more conscious construction model.Fast, clean and without surprises
The entire process begins with project plans drawn up by an architect. Gablok then adapts them to the format of their blocks and generates a 3D model for the client to visualize the final result. Four weeks after approval, a complete kit is delivered with all the necessary components—except the base and roof—ready to be assembled.
Made with OSB wood and a polystyrene core, the blocks combine thermal insulation and low weight. Gablok Latam
On two-story projects, materials arrive in three staggered deliveries: first the blocks for the ground floor, then the beams and mezzanine elements, and finally the components for the upper floor. This allows for order and smooth progress on the construction site.
Assembly can be done without heavy machinery: a ladder, a screwdriver, and the instruction manual are sufficient. This system not only democratizes construction , but also shortens timeframes and reduces the noise and discomfort of conventional construction . Although erecting the structure takes a week, the full completion time is around four months.
Versatile, ergonomic and safe
The blocks are ergonomic and easy to handle, which improves working conditions and reduces the risk of accidents. Furthermore, the system is flexible enough to adapt to a variety of projects: from family homes to extensions, studios, workshops, or garages .
Thanks to the modular system, the structure of the house can be completed in just one week, without wet works or delays.Gablok Latam
The blocks are assembled without cement or special tools and offer thermal and acoustic insulation.Gablok Latam
Gablok technology also follows the trend of off-site prefabrication : it is produced in the factory and assembled at the final location, ensuring precision, reducing waste, and improving process efficiency.
Ultimately, this Belgian innovation proves that sometimes great ideas are born from the simplest games . And that perhaps, with the right building blocks, anyone can build much more than a house: a paradigm shift.
www.buysellba.com
