U.S. Senator Hatch Surveys Rhinorock’s Lightweight Concrete House For Haiti

Feb. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- PROVO, UTAH, FEB. 9, 2010: U.S. Senator Hatch visited Utah based RhinoRock’s facility on Feb. 6, to look at a house constructed of lightweight concrete panels intended for use in Haiti. Over the past ten years, Utah based RhinoRock has developed a proprietary manufacturing process that eliminates 90% of the concrete material used in a typical concrete building panel.  Originally developed for lightweight concrete fence panels, RhinoRock has modified the fence panel to be used as the exterior walls of a house designed for earthquake devastated Haiti.  Since the panels are light enough to be handled by hand, the building components can be shipped economically and installed by two men.  Brian Morrow of RhinoRock, says “it is important that everything can be installed without heavy equipment, especially in Haiti where resources are extremely limited and very expensive.”

Engineering for the new structure is rated for both seismic and high wind speeds, both important for a fast approaching hurricane/rainy season.  Bonnie Morrow of RhinoRock, says “we can actually build these houses in a compound configuration with an interior courtyard, where the exterior walls of the compound can even be designed to stop bullets. The compound structure would be especially well suited for orphanages, which would provide a safe environment for the children.”

All of the components for the entire building structure are manufactured in Provo, Utah and can be shipped in containers.  A 1400 square foot building can be shipped in one 40’ container and can be built in approximately one week.  

Not only can the building be erected in a short period of time, but all of the building components are very economical and can be constructed for much less than a typical home.  Jon Purcell’s office of the United Nations is currently reviewing and evaluating the new RhinoRock building structure for use in Haiti.  The Red Cross and the I.O.M has also been given plans for the building.

Brian Morrow says “when I heard the news of the terrible tragedy in Haiti, I knew that we could use our innovative technology to help the Haitian people.  We are just trying to get the word out that there are other options besides tents available for Haiti.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MaR-sw0IWg



# # #

RhinoRock manufactures a lightweight concrete fence and modular buildings constructed of lightweight concrete building panels. Modular buildings and fences can be constructed completely by hand without any heavy equipment. http://www.rhinorock.com