A device for lifting a framework (65) optionally together with a portion of a building resting on said framework (65), and in particular a roof, relative to underlying walls. The device (63) is designed to be used as one of a plurality of such devices distributed around the framework (65) and it includes a wall plate (1) suitable for being fixed to the wall (3) and connected to guides (64) for guiding a cursor (76) suitable for co-operating with the framework (65), and controlled thruster (108) for said cursor (76) by common connections (42) that ensure they are identically oriented. The device is particularly applicable to lifting two-slope or four-slope roofs, or floors, or bare frameworks, by suitable adaptations to the cursor (76).

A temporary frame system includes four masts arranged outside of a building to be constructed. The frame system includes a climbing mechanism mounted on each mast for upward and downward movement thereon, a canopy frame fixed at four corners by respective climbing mechanisms and horizontally covering the entire upper surface of the building, a plurality of overhead traveling cranes arranged on the lower surface of the canopy frame, and a jib crane movable along a guide rail provided on an upper surface of the canopy frame. The overhead traveling crane includes a main rail positioned on a lower surface of the canopy frame and subsidiary rails arranged on both sides of the main rail in parallel thereto. A transporting girder is movably supported on the main rail and subsidiary girders are movably supported on the subsidiary rails. A plurality of hoists are provided on the overhead traveling crane. The transporting girder is a dual type which has two, first and second girders.

A method of building a house or the like on a previously provided foundation, starting from a packaged structure comprising a plurality of panels, wherein, after the deposition of the package on the foundation, in successive stages a superjacent part of the package is hoisted up, and in the space thus formed the panels are unfolded, and packaged structure for use in said method.

Apparatus and method for raising a roof including at least two lifting beams which are generally parallel to the peak or highest point of the roof and at least two pairs of lifting towers which are arranged about the building. Each pair of lifting towers has one tower disposed along one face of the building and the other tower disposed along the opposite face of the building. The lifting beams are interconnected with the roof portion and the lifting towers; the selected roof portion is then severed from the building and lifting means raises the lifting beams and the attached selected portion of the roof. After installing walls under the raised portion of the roof, the roof is lowered and attached to the newly constructed walls to form the additional expanded space of the building.

A method of building a free standing or building wall using prefabricated wall panels (10, 12, 14) wherein the assembly is accomplished at a factory from traditional or conventional building bricks or blocks. Each panel has an integral support means (26) to resist separation of the bricks or blocks when lifted for transport. A joint element (118) is provided between adjacent edges of adjacent panels and serves a labyrinth seal (102) with interleaved seal elements extending lengthwise of the joint. Springs (124) act between opposite sides (120, 122) of the joint so that it is resiliently compressed to accommodate differing spacings between the panels. A thermal insulation compartment (126, 128) is provided between the joint elements.