Innovation Put to Good Cause!
Recycled Plastic Homes Provides Quick Affordable Temporary Shelter
Two young Colombian architects who shared deep interest in a less conventional building material – plastics. Drawn to new challenges, the two decided to use discarded plastics salvaged from recyclers and factories instead of brand new ones, as it required more experimentation. They founded Plásticos in 2011, which later earned patent for its innovative brick and pillar construction system made of recycled plastics.
Using an extrusion process, the (salvaged) plastic is melted and emptied into a final mold, creating a three-kilo brick (6.6 lbs), similar to clay ones with the same dimensions. When assembled under pressure, the bricks insulate heat and have additives that retard combustion.
Akin to Lego building, the construction system is so efficient, it enables 2-storey houses to be completed in just 5 days! The best part is, because this revolutionary construction method can help to so quickly and cheaply, it was used to build temporary shelters in Guapi in southwest Columbia for 42 families displaced by armed conflict. The project was completed in 28 days with the help from 15 people. The firm has recently won at the Chivas Venture to step up its production to a global scale.
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