The above example is intended to show that it is possible to design unconventionally framed structures to save labor, but they must be properly engineered.
Agreed and without dispute. In this particular case, the owner wanted to explore different ideas/designs with respect to labor costs.
Relative to Bobk207's answer of; Pretty hard to beat stick framing & wood sheathing for speed of construction & minimal labor. Gun nails are faster than screws.
While the above is true, the owner has no desire to include interior/exterior wood sheating. In addition, it's faster, and less expensive, (material/labor) to build the walls on a slab and fasten diagonal shear metal banding (interior/exterior?) with screws then to cut/install diagonal 2x6 shear bracing into the walls.
There's no doubt in my mind a Licensed Engineer needs to look at this and approve of it, for comfort of mind if nothing else. Irrespective of that, I still have a need to know whether this would a viable alternative. In my mind, I don't see the 1x4 proposal being as solid as stick framed with exterior wood sheathing. To that degree, I wonder how much structural integrity will be lost by using the 1x4's on the face of the studs, with structural metal ribbed panels on those, as opposed to using OSB on the studs. I can 'see' the metal panels being worth next to nothing (shear) as they would depend on the 1x4 connections to the wall studs.
I have no idea where this will wind up, but if it gets wierd, out of scope and approved, I'll definitly post some dwg's someplace for all to see.
Thnx to all for posts.......................
Dan