2024-11-14T22:38:38-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150326578/inflatable-concrete-homes-are-coming-to-the-market-thanks-to-this-startup Josh Niland 2022-10-11T15:29:00-04:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/37/370750a80746ffbc254971c5a471b37f.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>A new solution to America&rsquo;s multifaceted housing frustrations is blowing up in New York&rsquo;s Hudson River Valley thanks to a startup called <a href="https://automatic-construction.com/" target="_blank">Automatic Construction</a>.</p> <p>The company says it has invented a new technique named the Inflatable Flexible Factory Formwork (or IFFF), which, with the help of an air pump and compressor, can inflate first the unrolled PVC formwork for the residential structure before a concrete mix reinforced by drop-stitch fibers is poured inside to settle.&nbsp;</p> <p>The pouring process itself takes only about an hour to complete. After the concrete has cured to around 70% strength, shoring is removed while the membrane remains in place as a means of providing waterproofing for the structure. Drywall, doors, windows, and cladding are added to complete the structure, which, for now, is finished off with rebar that CEO Alex Bell says may come pre-installed in the future.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/1a/1a37f314546ddc04dec829141a39a33d.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/1a/1a37f314546ddc04dec829141a39a33d.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image courtesy Automatic Construction</figcaption></figure><p>"The prefabricated forms are built in our factory with reinforcement in ...</p>