BISF (British Iron and Steel Federation) houses are a type of non-traditional, prefabricated housing built in the UK between the 1940s and 1950s. The primary goal behind their construction was to address the post-World War II housing shortage. These houses were designed by Frederick Gibberd, a British architect, in collaboration with the British Iron and Steel Federation, which is where the name “BISF” comes from.
BISF houses are characterised by their steel frame construction, which provides the main structural support. The frame is typically made from lightweight steel sections and is designed to be strong and durable. The ground floor walls of a BISF house are usually constructed using traditional brick, while the upper floor and roof are made with prefabricated steel panels. The steel panels are often covered with an external layer of render or metal cladding for weather protection and insulation.
One of the key advantages of BISF houses was their speed of construction, as the prefabricated components could be manufactured off-site and quickly assembled on-site. This allowed for rapid and cost-effective house-building in a time of great demand.
However, BISF houses have also faced some challenges over time. They can suffer from issues such as corrosion of the steel frame, poor thermal insulation, and difficulties in obtaining mortgages and insurance due to their non-traditional construction. Over the years, various repair and refurbishment schemes have been introduced to address these issues and improve the structural integrity, energy efficiency, and overall living conditions of BISF houses.
