Smart IT solves 5,000 year old construction problem

"I definitely want one! Fantastic idea", was the response of judge and Agricultural Scientist Chris Russell when introduced to the Rocksolver construction technology on the latest New Inventors program. Rocksolver is a highly innovative software-driven construction method that solves a problem which has plagued builders for thousands of years; how to overcome the difficulty of using their cheap and durable local resource of unprocessed rock as a building material.

On 6th April on ABC TV's New Inventors program the inventor of Rocksolver, Malcolm Lambert, demonstrated how software can solve the jigsaw puzzle of building with irregular-shaped rocks by building a small wall following the computer generated lay out. At 10% of the price and 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions compared to competing products, unprocessed rock presents itself as a viable and important alternative in a world where building activity is increasing while carbon emissions need to be going down.

Although Rocksolver didn't win on the night judges comments indicated their recognition of a smart solution to an age-old problem; Designer and teacher Alison Page said, "You are bringing an ancient tradition right into the 21st century, especially with the phone application and I love that a novice can do it". Eco designer Leyla Acaroglu gave her vote to Rocksolver, saying "Based on the fact that we're really looking at saving massive amounts of raw materials and the capacity to really revolutionise how we build structural walls I'm going to give it to the Rocksolver".

Rocksolver is being developed by Australian R&D company Intresto Pty Ltd, based in Armidale, NSW. Rocksolver is currently undergoing prototype testing in preparation for the first release of a 2-dimensional application for paving later in 2011 then a release for 3D structures like seawalls, retaining walls and houses in 2013. Intresto's founder, Malcolm Lambert, said, "This is the first time Rocksolver has appeared on TV so it's great way to introduce a highly innovative and green building technique to a public who are becoming increasingly concerned about their environmental impact".