A construction system for a wall or floor or roof uses a set of studs having panel engagement features protruding from opposed edges of the stud. Panel elements having apertures receive these features so that they protrude through the panel element apertures. Retainers engage the panel engagement features and press against an outside surface of a panel element and towards the studs with a compression force to form a compression joint. There may be rails to form a mesh with the studs, and the panel elements may not be wide enough to abut each other, narrow panel elements providing sufficient structural strength in combination with the compression joints and the studs.