The historical, the fun and the quirky facts about construction

This is Construct IQ, a dynamic portal to the weird, the unexpected, the ingenious, and the downright fascinating within the world of construction. This is the ultimate website for unusual, weird and fun facts about the building business. This is where we spotlight the history of construction and much more. Forget the predictable. This is where we crack open the curiosity cabinet and delve into the quirky, the cutting-edge and the mind-bending innovations that are reshaping construction.

Think outside the brick-and-mortar box. This is where you will find stories that illustrate the weird, the quirky and the fun facts and myths about construction. Imagine living walls that breathe and heal, homes conjured from pixels in a day, or underwater metropolises shimmering beneath the waves. We're talking mushrooms powering structures, AI predicting construction hiccups before they happen, and even robots waltzing on job sites. The only limit is your imagination. Welcome to Construct IQ - your place to explore unusual, quirky, historical and fun facts about construction and much more.

The strange world record attempts in construction

Construction is usually about precision, safety, and long-term performance, but sometimes, the industry takes a playful turn. Over the years, builders, engineers and even communities have attempted...

Why Gargoyles were the original rainwater management systems

Gargoyles are purpose-built rainwater spouts - ingenious, sculpted drainpipes that kept torrents off fragile masonry long before gutters and downpipes existed. In the wet, wind-lashed climates where...

Ancient Babylon and the first-ever recorded building regulations

The first known building regulations in history dates back nearly 4,000 years to the city of Babylon, in Mesopotamia and it was recorded in what is now regarded as one of the most influential...

Why stonemasons were once considered a secret society

Walk past a medieval cathedral, a castle, or even a centuries-old town hall and you’re looking at the work of stonemasons - the master builders of the Middle Ages. These skilled craftsmen designed...

The unexpected life of a concrete truck driver

Concrete is the most used man-made material on the planet. Every major city, road, bridge, and housing development depends on a reliable supply. While architects, engineers and contractors often take...

How forensic engineers discover the invisible flaws in construction

Structural failures remain a persistent challenge in the built environment. However, beyond the dramatic collapses that dominate headlines, countless subtle defects and lesser-known incidents...

Why our early builders hid shoes as they worked

For many homeowners and renovators of historic properties, finding a single, worn-out shoe tucked away in a dusty void, is a surprisingly common occurrence. From the stately manors of the landed...

Construction and the World’s first recorded labour strike

Buried within the history of ancient Egypt is a lesser-known, yet profoundly important milestone - the first recorded labour strike in human history. Far from a modern invention, organised worker...

Did our ancient builders use cow’s blood and beer as mortar additives?

In the long and varied history of construction, few details are as surprising - or as intriguing - as the unusual substances added to building materials. Among the most enduring legends are claims...