You can color me impressed as I watched a number of buildings built up in Memphis close to where I worked. The process seemed so simple and it went so fast. Not only that, the buildings looked as if they were very strong. I would guess many architects/engineers will not be nearly as impressed as I was but, still, I do like to write about what impresses me.

First they built up a layer of dirt and packed it level. I would imagine they made it very level, but given the method, I can’t imagine it would be that critical. They built forms and set the steel reinforcement. They started pouring concrete and in approximately 5 days from the start, they had a foundation. They spent less than one of those days pouring the concrete.

Then, what confused me, they started laying concrete slabs on top of the foundation. Each slab, of course was steel reinforced. They were basically rectangular but not completely. Once the concrete cured enough, they brought out a couple of cranes and hooked them up to the slabs, one at a time. About twenty minutes at a time, the slabs were lifted up to become walls, very strong ones.

Because of the way they made the forms, the “cutouts” for windows and doors were already there. The builders simply installed the frames; then installed the doors and windows.

In the matter weeks, they built 5 high strength buildings where there was nothing but a field before. In a matter of a couple of months they were moving people into offices in the buildings.

Now, I am not an engineer. I am not an architect. However, I thought that idea was pretty slick. In just a little time, with a little labor and tons of concrete, they built some very strong buildings.

The question that comes to mind, if they can use this method for buildings and make money at it, why can’t they use the same methods for apartments. They say we have a shortage of housing. My guess is that we have a shortage of the desire to resolve that problem. If I had the financial backing, I’d try it. Moreover, when I got done, we would have very secure apartments. It is very difficult to break through concrete.

It sounds like a good method for building in hurricane and tornado areas. 5 or 6 inch concrete walls can hold up to some strong winds. Moreover, they stand up to flooding well too.