AEC Schools

Those involved in building new schools must look to provide a safe, sturdy and efficient learning environment for students, while still controlling time and economic factors. Where “old-school” methods of construction leave off, new technologies can help create spaces wherein structural integrity meets cutting-edge and cost-saving ingenuity. For over 25 years, Simple Building Solutions has created new and innovative technology to bring concrete and metal framing construction to a higher level, while reducing costs and greatly expediting the speed of building enclosure. These systems use less metal and concrete to achieve design expectations in precast or sitecast work for improved costs and schedules.
The company’s SteelCrete method is the combination of thin, conventional concrete and conventional light gauge metal framing with an embedment in thin concrete. This industry was founded by Tony Ruiz using a continuous embedment he replaced with a “temporary” MetalStudCrete “strip” that depends on friction and fasteners that SteelCrete I, II and III render obsolete. In this new and improved strip method, slots are punched out of standard stud and track flanges. Concrete is then placed around and between the studs and track, exceeding all the latest building code. In addition, patent-pending CIPS will enable Cast-In-Place SteelCrete to form a new, better 'solid wall' with numerous advantages over poured-in-place concrete walls, wood or metal framing, concrete block, ICF, SIPS or any other foam core. The evolution of the SBS SteelCrete technology has brought about vast improvements in its strength. The SCIII strip doesn't require fasteners, and is formed with hole-punched “peaks” that pass through the studs and track from the back side, snapping into place, and additional reinforcing can be passed through them. Simple Building Solutions combines Light Gauge Metal Framing and Standard Concrete for composite Thinshell panels that optimize the best structural properties of each where the whole exceeds the sum of its parts. This is the strongest method of these “Thinshell” systems and comes with the numerous advantages of using the “strip,” including:
• Control over the amount used
• Can use conventional, standard studs and track
• Slots punched by the manufacturer or on the jobsite using an inexpensive punch press
• CIPS–Cast-In-Place SteelCrete with no mesh, cranes, casting tables, trucking or joints

With their SteelCrete III and CIPS–Cast-In-Place Thinshell systems, as well as the company ’s many other ground-breaking products and services, Simple Building Solutions (SBS) is dedicated to improving the methods by which today’s school buildings are constructed by advancing innovative building systems, methods, materials and equipment. Their goal is to provide durable, cost-effective, quality, simple building solutions to the industry.