Thats good to see, heaven knows there is a need for simple, efficient and economic housing.

Can they resist earthquakes??

I agree. It would be helpful, however, if the homes were multi-family structures to avert urban sprawl; that deadly seed of many a modern development in nations across the world.

They probably are not 'earthquake proof' as no such thing exist. But I'm sure they will build them as strong as they can based on the budget they have. Its better than a tent, thats for sure.

Key factor: how much will it sell for?

'Cause this product is targeting low-income families, and low income in DR is the lowest of the low.

hmm I don't know.. these houses look pretty small and are more like doll houses.

I am not sure if a U.S. company has the experience to build concrete homes given that most of their current homes are built with 2x4 woods and plywood and only southern states like Florida may have harder structures since thet also have plaster (yeso)

Also, "Wind Resistant Concretes System" (WRCS)... isn't that an oxymoron?, aren't concrete walls supposed to be wind resistant?

I certainly hope they do a good job, and that these houses are built with a non-obsolete layout.

THEY look kind of small from the photo.
they look like the size of the portable bano's outside of a construction site,
i saw a show on t.v last month that china is now building pre-fab office buildings. they had put one together in a matter of hours. maybe this is the way of the future, well at least it might be for the poor to be able to get a brand new house.
new is always nice to move into.

What is the roof made of? DR has the hot sun

@lovingit
The US is a very big place and construction materials very by the area, you will find almost every type of construction somewhere in the US. Yes, there is plenty of experience in concrete construction in the US.
In addition to homes there is a huge amount of commercial construction that uses concrete.

@xwill7
If not concrete then there would be sufficient insulation, I lived in Redding Ca for over 30 years. The temperature there can get over 120f, much hotter than it gets in the DR

No car port?

The house is designed seismic-resistant (high risk) as the code for Dominican Republic stated and 165+ mph winds. Our company is the leader in construction of reinforced concrete roofs and floors in south florida aproved in Miami, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Miami Beach, etc and the only one with more than 11 US. Patent. The entire house is reinforced concrete and is designed to hold a second floor as our country is very probably to have that once you turn the key to the owner.

www.wrcscorp.com

The house exceed all the requirement of insulation of U.S., in fact our products had been used in more than 10 projects LEED certified from bronze to platinium.

xwill7,

The roof have EPS (expanded polystyrene) in the bottom and reinforced concrete on top, so you will not feel anything in terms of heat transfer to the interior of the house. The house is extremely efficient thermal wise, and due to such efficiency you can obtain the maximum credits for LEED Certification. In DR case will be very comfortable to live in.

!wow! egypts ruler for 33 years is out as of today he left office.
after 33years of ditatorship. in egypt the people have won. my hats off to them god-bless them and their country and their future

SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE CAN DO? STAND UP IF U WANT TO SOAR LIKE A EAGLE, THEN GET RID OF THE TURKEYS.
WITH A DECENT EDUCATION THE YOUNG ARE ROBBED OF IN THE DR THEY WITH THIS CHANCE CAN ALSO SOAR HIGH AS THE EAGLE.

I can tell that ultimately the owner will pay from US$80 to $120 monthly for the mortgage of the house
The house is 43 sq. mts (include electricity pipes and fixtures, plumbing pipes and fixtures, windows, doors, stove, refrigerator, kitchen cabinetry, lavatory, space for washer and dryer and space for battery and power inverter for solar panels). The house is designed to have a second floor on top, hurricane and seismic resistant.

There is a lot of more detailed information for promoters and developers that would like to use this construction technology.

info@wrcscorp.com
www.wrcscorp.com

WRCSCORP,

Glad to see Dominicans invest in the DR!

You're homes are needed in the country for those homeowners who needed a dignified dwelling. I hope this will eliminate all tin houses on riverbanks and around the country.

Also, Haiit will benefit greatly from these homes!!

ny4life,

That's the vision, we are already dealing to get this technology also to Haiti and we want to see the idea to get expanded eventually to all Latinamerica.

$80 to $120 is still a big price tag for some people. Will there be any gov grants?

"They probably are not 'earthquake proof' as no such thing exist. But I'm sure they will build them as strong as they can based on the budget they have. Its better than a tent, thats for sure."


Actually Bernard in case of an earthquake a tent is much better ,besides nobody said earthquake "proof" since we all know such a thing does not exist but did they even take it into account or is the only thing being taken into account is the price?

The house is designed to be seismic-resistant, meaning meet or exceed the codes requirements for earthquake design in the worst case scenario in Dominican Republic (Northwest area of D.R, Santiago, Puerto Plata etc.). Because of its design can easily dissipate earthquake forces thanks to a patented foundation system. Also the house is designed with the latest U.S. codes for reinforced concrete on high seismic areas such as California.

The factory should add bars to the windows and doors. No house in DR is without burglar bars except a few in gated communities

another total f--k up

ANOTHER TOTAL F--K UP for a real housing alternative check out greenhomesnow.net now this is real energy efficiency, sustainability, modern, AFFORDABLE housing that could build real jobs in the DR

ronthewolfman,

With all due respect, I personally would not consider serious any recommendation from anybody talking like you, much less, of something so technical and specific like sustainability, resistance, mass production and thermal resistant. Anyway, I check the website that you suggest and I have some questions...How many projects have that company completed? Have that company LEED projects or have some kind of "green" certification? Are they approved in South Florida? Have that company patents? Have that company any idea how develop any kind of program to integrate the local people to help in the construction with the system and motivate the local economy?....If you have at least one of this answer let us know, and help make this world better. If not refrain to discredit without any base, that just hurt you reputation.

For more information of our system:

info@wrcscorp.com
www.wrcscorp.com

well i have patents to my designs and assemblies and i have spent 30 years undoing temp crap like this, you have no real sustainability and NO ENERGY EFFICIENCY and your not in the least bit GREEN this is as lacking as EPS homes, and so what is YOUR LABOR METHODOLOGY ???
as to our certification it's in the process, and our engineering REVITS concludes we will beat all standards of wind and earthquake specs. by 3

looked at your site and i built one of these same type structures in Mexico when i worked for similar type builder, that's EXACTLY why i came up with my design concepts there's was not any better than yours same EPS CRAP It's time for a total redesign i did mine and developed my concept, but your still in the past, I'M WAY IN THE FUTURE

2010 technology...., 11 USPTO brand new patents.... no research = ignorance.

Prove everything stated..... and stop wasting time, discrediting proved, certified, approved, and built technology. More than 100+ projects back this. Btw, funny talking to you, but really worthless.... :-)

NY, at 120$US a month, once again, these houses are not for families living in actual one room tin shacks or worse on river banks! It certainly doesn't solve the slum situation. And what about the land on which they will be installed? Will the land legally belong to the owner of the house?

Initially these houses are intended for families earning between 250 to
400 hundred dollars a month supplying the kits from our plant in US
later after the Dominican plant is installed families will end paying from 65 to 85
monthly. The mortgage include the land already provided by the developers that we
are working with in conjunction with a program that will facilitate the homeowners
with the downpayment.

This looks like a good plan to make affordable housing for a lot of people living in makeshift homes which are not safe from the elements at all. I hope it allows a lot of people to finally own a home that can survive a hurricane.Best of luck.

WRCSCORP, you handle yourself like a gentleman. You would be better off not conversing with ronthewolfman. Anyone can see that those that knock the product of others to sell their own are NOT going anywhere. Also II would like to thank you for your quick responses to my questions regarding your product!

To the others who expect this to solve all the problems of the Dominican Republic. These homes won't solve the electrical problems, the lack of potable water problem, the lack of education problem nor the crooked public servant problem in case you were wondering.

This is not a getgood pill you take once a day nor is it the cure all for everybodies woes. It is a good alternative that will help a portion of the population. Nope not the entire country, nope it won't make a broke dope live the life of luxury. It will offer an alternative to some that they didn't have before. These prefabs go up QUICK, are decent quality yet at very affordable prices. The company is also NOT a non for profit and believe it or not will need to make a few bucks while doing these homes!

LOL, some of you folks are real funny, outrageous but still funny.

Ron, I also went to your webpage. Wordpress blog? Ok a lot of people have to do things on the cheap, no problem. Your website tells little other than this is a startup with nothing going on at the moment. You have a dream and possibly a good plan but nothing is shown on that site.

I was putting up panelized homes 20 years ago in the states. Smallest home I built was the size of the largest size you claim to offer. One thiing I can tell you is it won't be a done deal in 30 days even in the US let alone in the DR where although there are basically NO CODES to follow as there are in the states. Your 30 days is a dream but hope you have sweet ones!

I find it hard to respect someone who knocks someone elses product to sell their own. Makes for a lack of credibility. Your product has to stand on its own.

This being said, I wish you good luck. Try to refine your marketing skills first though.

Thanks for the advice Escott, I will keep it in mind ;-)

Seems like good idea and could improve aesthetics dramatically over what we see in barrios.

Is there a variety of styles available, so as to avoid "cookie cutter" look?

As a private undertaking, I applaud this initiative, and hope it will materialize.

MJEV.

WR, your explanations are interesting. True, it won't solve all lodging problems (and not one project can) but it is very much a step ahead.

WRCS:
This sounds like a very good plan!
When is the first one being put up and where is it located?
Thank you!
Tommy.

WRCSCORP

Is a good initiative, but why are the homes so small?

43 sq meters is roughly 462 sq feet., I would say for a family to live comfortably with children, they need at least 800 sq feet.

I am just afraid that this initiave, because of the house size, may eventually convert the area where these homes are employed into well constructed slums.

I mean, it's still better then barrio housing with stairs on the middle of a side walk, etc, but if we are going to do something, let's do it right from the get go, even if the $80 - $120 becomes more like a $120 - $180

xwill7 and for anyone else that said the $80 - $120 is too much, are you kidding me? This is highly achievable by any working family of two even at lowest pay rates possible, I mean come one, you can't give them away or expect even more help than that, even up to the $180 is doable.