Florida Company Develops Innovative Building Technology to Tackle Housing Crisis

By ScinventDaily - Friday, February 21, 2025 - No Comments

The bricks are a composite made of glass, recycled plastic and other materials. / Credit: CBS News

As natural disasters continue to wreak havoc on communities, a Florida-based company is pioneering a faster and more cost-effective method for rebuilding homes. In January alone, California’s wildfires destroyed more than 16,000 structures, highlighting the urgent need for resilient and affordable housing solutions.

Renco, led by former Florida congressman Patrick Murphy, claims its innovative construction technology can rebuild entire homes in weeks at a fraction of the typical cost. Drawing inspiration from Lego bricks, the company developed modular building blocks made of a composite of glass, recycled plastic, and other materials.

Rapid Construction and Resilience

At Renco’s Jupiter, Florida, facility, set to scale up in April, the company aims to produce up to 16 homes per day. The modular bricks allow homes to withstand 240 mph winds, offering superior fire and water resistance compared to traditional materials.

"We chose to start in one of the toughest environments and spent years testing to ensure the homes could endure Category 5 hurricanes," Murphy said.

The technology is already in use. Yessica Coronado, who lives near Palm Beach, Florida, was unaware that her apartment complex, comprising 96 units, was built using Renco’s method. Eleven workers constructed the walls, floors, and ceilings of the four buildings in just eight weeks—a significant reduction in time compared to conventional wood or concrete construction.

Cutting Costs and Labor

While Renco’s bricks are more expensive upfront, the overall project costs are reduced by 20% due to quicker build times and lower labor needs. The construction process also requires fewer skilled workers

Murphy notes that a 2,000-square-foot home can be assembled by just two people in a single day.

Additionally, the durability of the materials contributes to lower insurance costs. "Our first building’s insurance is about 20% cheaper," Murphy added. "The material doesn’t rot or rust, and pests like termites can’t damage it."

Currently, the technology is best suited for buildings up to five stories high.

A Shift in Construction Practices

Illya Azaroff, an architect and sustainable construction expert at City University of New York, believes innovations like Renco’s signal a transformative moment for the construction industry.

"With 114 million people displaced globally last year due to natural and man-made disasters, this must be a time of change," Azaroff said.

While acknowledging design limitations—Renco's modular structures can appear blocky—Azaroff emphasized the importance of structural strength and efficiency.

"New methods like this allow us to build with resistance to fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather," he said. "We just need the political will and the courage to embrace these new approaches."

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