An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

A construction block unit includes a construction block and a lid. The construction block includes a bottom plate having a shape, a sidewall extending perpendicularly from the bottom plate at an outer edge of the bottom plate to form a container configured to receive and contain a weight, and fasteners coupled to a top edge of the sidewall opposite the bottom plate. The lid has a congruent shape to the shape such that the lid is fastenable to the top edge of the side wall via the fasteners to enclose the container. An interlocking portion of the construction block is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion, interlocking the construction block and the second construction block to prevent separation by a horizontal force.

A construction block unit includes a construction block and a lid. The construction block includes a bottom plate having a shape, a sidewall extending perpendicularly from the bottom plate at an outer edge of the bottom plate to form a container configured to receive and contain a weight, and fasteners coupled to a top edge of the sidewall opposite the bottom plate. The lid has a congruent shape to the shape such that the lid is fastenable to the top edge of the side wall via the fasteners to enclose the container. An interlocking portion of the construction block is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion, interlocking the construction block and the second construction block to prevent separation by a horizontal force.

A facing building member, a method of forming a facing building member and a method of forming a cladding panel. The facing building member is usable with other building members in forming a cladding panel. The building member has a front face and a rear side, the rear side being profiled by cutting with a water jet so as to provide at least one mechanical key on the facing building member.

A facing building member, a method of forming a facing building member and a method of forming a cladding panel. The facing building member is usable with other building members in forming a cladding panel. The building member has a front face and a rear side, the rear side being profiled by cutting with a water jet so as to provide at least one mechanical key on the facing building member.

A building block comprises a rigid housing defining a chamber and plant fibers contained within the chamber. A construction system comprises a plurality of such building blocks, selectively stackable to form a wall. A method of construction comprises obtaining a plurality of such building blocks, inserting plant fibers into the chamber, and stacking the plurality of building blocks to form one or more walls.

A building block comprises a rigid housing defining a chamber and plant fibers contained within the chamber. A construction system comprises a plurality of such building blocks, selectively stackable to form a wall. A method of construction comprises obtaining a plurality of such building blocks, inserting plant fibers into the chamber, and stacking the plurality of building blocks to form one or more walls.

An artificial insulated log that has outer and inner wood members that are glued to an inner core of rigid insulation. In addition to the glue, structural connectors are fitted on the top of the logs at specified intervals to provide additional structure support, Each of the wood pieces has a tongue and groove formed to receive other logs. In addition, the insulated core is also fitted with a tongue and groove for alignment. The outer, or exterior, wood member is curved to look like a natural log, The inner wood members are cut flat to for a flat interior wall. Formed corner logs can be used with regular logs to make a finished looking assembly for the building. The corners can be alternated or stacked, as desired.

Building blocks, wall structures made therefrom, building systems made therefrom, structures made therefrom, and methods of constructing a structure therewith, are described.

Building blocks, wall structures made therefrom, building systems made therefrom, structures made therefrom, and methods of constructing a structure therewith, are described.