Buildings are responsible for more than 40% of global carbon emissions, yet the construction industry continues to rely on timber-based floor systems that have remained largely unchanged for over two centuries. These systems are not only energy-inefficient but also contribute to deforestation, high-carbon emissions, combustible materials and high-emission manufacturing processes.

My innovation — Smart Hydronic Screed Panels (SHSP) — represents a transformative advancement in sustainable construction. The SHSP system replaces traditional timber floorboards and joists with modular, recyclable, non-structural cement-based panels that combines performance, energy efficiency, and intelligent fire safety. Far beyond replacement of a traditional floorboard, these panels function as a thermally active layer capable of storing and redistributing heat, integrating hydronic pipes for underfloor heating, and incorporating AI-monitored fire suppression channels (hollow-core) that enhance occupant safety and building resilience.

Historical and Architectural Inspiration

The SHSP concept draws inspiration from key milestones in architectural and engineering history. It pays tributes to Swiss architect Le Corbusier, also known as the father of modern architecture, whose philosophy of functional simplicity and environmental harmony continues to shape contemporary design today. SHSP panels embody this vision by circulating heating or cooling water powered by air-source heat pumps or solar energy through embedded pipes within panels. This enables interiors to stay warm in winter and cool in summer, capturing Le Corbusier’s timeless ideals of adaptable, climate-responsive design.

SHSP revives the ingenuity of Roman hypocaust system, one of the earliest known forms of radiant floor heating, which circulated hot water beneath stone floors to provide even warmth across living spaces and bathhouses.  It also draws inspiration from the 1950s British “Economy 7” system, which stored heat in thermal rocks and released it gradually over a seven-hour period, hence the name “Economy 7.”