Patent ID: 8365473

Claim:
A prefabricated, self-supporting construction element ( 6 ) for use in the construction of a multi-storey building where a plurality of such construction elements are assembled alongside and on top of one another, wherein: the construction element ( 6 ) has a plurality of sides comprising a substantially rectangular floor side ( 32 ), at least two substantially parallel wall sides ( 26 ) standing upright from said floor side ( 32 ), and a ceiling side ( 34 ) above the wall sides ( 26 ); each of said sides has an internal surface ( 12 ) and an external surface ( 14 ); each of said internal surfaces ( 12 ) is a finished surface; each of said external surfaces ( 14 ) is profiled with protruding ribs ( 16 ) such that adjacent external surfaces ( 14 ) of adjacent construction elements ( 6 ) form, in use, a plurality of horizontally-oriented and vertically-oriented channels ( 60 ) for in-situ casting of a flowing, hardening material for the formation of a supporting structure in the form of columns ( 94 ) and beams for supporting a plurality of construction elements ( 6 ) on top of one another and for the leading of supply lines, pipes and cables to the building; said external surfaces ( 14 ) comprise insulating material ( 18 ) which, when brought together with corresponding external surfaces ( 14 ) of adjacent construction elements ( 6 ), creates a stable element that forms a permanent insulating cladding for the subsequently in-situ cast supporting structure; and the protruding ribs ( 16 ) on said external surfaces ( 14 ) are formed in the insulating material ( 18 ).