No Pipe Dream-Home Building by Automated Machine Concept Spreads in Disaster States

Nov. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- SEE PICTURES AT NJ.COM http://media.nj.com/photogallery/photo/11800787-small.jpg, http://media.nj.com/photogallery/photo/11800786-small.jpg, http://media.nj.com/photogallery/photo/11800785-small.jpg

Nov. 2…..Rumors of an automated house building demonstration in Louisiana that could herald a quick solution to housing replacement in all flood state sites has encouraged some facing a long residence in temporary trailers or moving elsewhere. Details in flyers seeking participants in a planned showing of a portable factory producing wall sections that can be immediately attached to foundations after removal of a flood destroyed home have created a stir among government disaster agencies and political officials. Discussions with state Economic Development and interest from financial sources in Louisiana have already taken place.

With the huge task of rebuilding and cold weather facing disaster agencies and those suddenly without homes pressing for results, any immediate solution would be welcomed. Relief agencies, FEMA, and HUD may be working on temporary ways to offer alternatives but an immediate automation solution for producing permanent housing may be in the offing. Rumors of a high tech portable factory developed by a building science “think tank” called “Quikie Home Maker” which can produce houses in less than two weeks is already planning a demonstration in Louisiana. It could offer a very short-term alternative to temporary housing instead of FEMA trailers using an extruded wall system that produces a complete 1500 sq.ft. home from “aromatic co-polymer and aggregate mix.

No pipe dream, development of the movable factory has been under way for five years with two prototype homes in Texas already proven to withstand hurricanes. Both were intact although homes miles around were destroyed.

The building concept is far different than the normal “stick built” method. According to a media briefing released today (Nov. 2); the mixture of aromatic elastic co-polymer and aggregate is mated to steel supports and mesh inside a 53 foot transportable platform, and then assembled on a foundation that once held a flood damaged home, making the complete shell in about two weeks. Unskilled labor and pre-installed utilities makes for a simple assembly process.

Although lightweight structures assembled from components are often built in Europe, the “QUIKIEHOME” concept produces very solid sections unlike earlier attempts at component building. The technical description states “solid sections resist water, fire, termites, and even drive-by shootings”; and “the dense sections provide substantial insulation against outside temperatures making for more efficient HAVAC results”; and “utility connections are built into the surface for easy connection to services”. Pre-built kitchen and bath modules, complete with fixtures do not require on-site experts and easily hook to utility services in the original foundation or built into the wall sections.

With a $50,000 cost for the complete shell placed on an existing foundation after removal of the damaged home, the “Quikiehome” cost is well below any other replacement alternative.

The nonprofit Emerging Growth Institute is mentoring the project.

MEDIA CONTACT: emerginggrowthinstitute@gmail.com

Web at Quikiehome.com