With wildfires still raging in California, consuming thousands of homes and businesses, a Boston architect says he has one solution: the “SAM House,” a modular, fireproof home that can withstand disasters.
Gary Hendron of Allston, Massachusetts, has been working for the last three years on the design of the Sustainable Alternative Modular (SAM) House. The new design uses non-organic material, basically a thick, concrete-like material, for the wall and roof panels. Not only is the material waterproof and fireproof, but it is also extremely durable.
“This is a highly effective way of constructing a fire-proof home,” Hendron said. “We’re actually referring to SAM House as a disaster replacement home. It’s not just the outer skin of the building, but all of the building materials within the building.”
The SAM House is currently being exhibited in Sacramento, California, an area all too familiar with the destructive force of wildfires. Hendron says he hopes his prototype will offer some peace of mind for potential homeowners who reside in high fire-risk districts.
Hendron, a veteran architect of 40 years, was not just inspired by the recent wildfires in California to build the SAM House, but by hurricanes like Hurricane Dorian as well. He wished to build a house that was eco-friendly, yet easy to construct. He continued to state that he wished to offer a house that working-class individuals could afford.
Some of the SAM House’s key features are:
Fire-resistant materials: Non-combustible, concrete-like wall and roof panels.
Modular design: Permitting fast and effective construction.
Durability: Built to be weather-resistant under harsh conditions.
Sustainability: Using non-organic, long-lasting materials.
Hendron’s vision extends beyond the reconstruction of lost homes. He sees the SAM House as a critical solution to the increasing threat of climate change. “Fire comes through the area, the house, you return, your house is there,” he said. “It allows people to live where they want to.” As wildfires grow more common and intense, creative solutions such as the SAM House provide a ray of hope for communities menaced by the worst effects of climate change.
A Boston architect, Gary Hendron, has designed the “SAM House,” a fire-resistant, modular home made of non-organic, concrete-like materials, to combat wildfire destruction. It’s designed as a disaster replacement, aiming to allow people to live safely in fire-prone areas.