AeroDwell demo house at the Hanson Pipe & Precast plant in New Orleans.

Hanson Pipe & Precast introduced the AeroDwell building system, a much stronger building alternative to wood and brick construction, during the Gulf Coast Reconstruction & Hurricane Preparedness Summit in New Orleans Aug. 28. The cost is about the same as the building systems easily destroyed in Hurricane Katrina..

Made from cellular concrete with micro-air bubbles, Neopor, sand and cement, the AeroDwell building system is ideal for Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts. The concrete panels are strong and water, mold, termite/pest, fire, and hurricane/wind resistant. Additionally, AeroDwell wall and ceiling panels weigh less than dense concrete and are comparable in cost to wood or brick construction. This system offers superb insulation and energy efficiencies with easy installation.

AeroDwell wall and ceiling panels eliminate the need for framing, insulation, exterior sheathing and sheetrocking, and reduces construction delays and costs - the entire construction process for a dried-in structure can be completed in just three days. During production, openings for doors, windows, electrical conduits, telephone and television wires are cast into the panels and exterior finishes can be customized by overlaying brick, stucco, siding or stone.

"With the AeroDwell building system, we hope to provide citizens with an architecturally beautiful home that is weather-resistant, strong and sound and will withstand Mother Nature's harshest elements," said Clifford Hahne, Hanson's South Central Region president.

The Gulf Coast Reconstruction & Hurricane Preparedness Summit, the largest reconstruction effort in recent U.S. history, featured key federal officials discussing the $100 billion reconstruction program, new federal programs and funding to prepare against future catastrophes and state and local officials providing details on reconstruction and preparedness contracts. Hanson's personnel will moderate a panel discussion on Hurricane Preparedness Construction.