automatic construction inflates concrete homes, just like balloons

introducing inflatable concrete houses

After the fast and habitable 3D-printed houses, it seems like the next big thing in residential architecture is inflatable concrete structures. Yes, you read that right!

New York-based startup Automatic Construction claims to have invented a new technique called Inflatable Flexible Factory Formwork (IFFF), which uses an air pump and compressor to build homes by filling cement into a balloon-like structure. According to the company, the entire process of inflating these prefabricated forms is sustainable and code-compliant, while it is also five times cheaper and two times faster than conventional construction.

the new technique uses an air pump and compressor to build homes by filling cement into a balloon-like structure

all images courtesy of Automatic Construction

how does it work?

As Automatic Construction describes on its official website, the process begins with the delivery of the rolled-up formwork to the construction site. The form is made of flexible plastic fabrics with reinforcement and internal 3D structures. The next step is to lay out the plastic formwork on a concrete slab or other foundation and inflate it with an air pump. The concrete is then pumped into the mold by a ready-mix concrete truck, which can mix the concrete either on its way to the job site or at the job site itself. The forms stay in place and provide a built-in seal and an airtight barrier for unparalleled heating/cooling performance. The result looks just like a conventional building. The walls are clad with a traditional facade and the interior walls are clad with drywall. Mechanical equipment is installed in the built-in shafts.

This patent-pending construction technique promises to reduce on-site labor costs because the forms are made in the factory and there is no wood waste. In addition, the company says the process is twice as fast as conventional construction methods because the air and concrete pumps erect the structures in minutes instead of months. The inflatable flexible factory formwork uses sustainable concrete and other building materials that store carbon and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company is currently focused on testing the new technology in residential buildings, but also plans to apply it in other areas such as skyscrapers, commercial projects, swimming pools, tunnels, and even structures on Mars!

the process begins with the delivery of the rolled-up formwork to the construction site