‘Waffle box’ houses can withstand both typhoons and earthquakes – designers

A group of engineers and architects has come up with what they’re calling “waffle box” houses that they say can withstand Yolanda-level winds and earthquakes stronger than the possible magnitude 7.2 quake that can be generated by the West Valley Fault. The house is also raised, similar to nipa huts, which makes them safe against floods as well. According to the designers, people can move into the waffle box house as soon as 2 months.

 

The waffle box house is basically a concrete modular house with grade-40 metal embedded incorporated within the panels, eliminating the need for steel rebars. This is the same type of metal that’s usually used in bridges.

 

“Matibay siya because yung microportal frames … yun ang nagre-resist ng lindol, wind, and all the other building loads,” said Gerry Cheng, one of the engineers who worked on the project.


 

 

For only PHP 200,000 you can buy a one-room unfurnished waffle box house with a kitchen and bathroom. The houses can be assembled like Legos, depending on the budget and desired design of the buyer.

 

The house can be easily dismantled and moved if needed and the flat roofless design means that there won’t be anything for typhoon winds to sweep away. The connections between panels has foam and rubber that simply move during an earthquake.

 

The designers are currently working on patenting the waffle box design and foreign NGOs have already expressed their interest in purchasing units for housing projects.  — Bea Montenegro/ELR, GMA News