January 24th 2007

Hesco Bastion R-House™ - Rapid Response Housing

R-House™ is an innovative transitional shelter which is based on the hugely successful Hesco Concertainer® unit, originally developed to protect UK shorelines against erosion and which later achieved international recognition in military and civil operations across the world.

In consultation with non-government organisations, Hesco Bastion has combined its proven technical expertise with its evaluation of humanitarian aid to develop a semi-permanent and rapidly constructed building which provides a uniquely universal shelter solution.

Following any natural disaster or humanitarian crisis, the ability to build shelter with speed and efficiency is essential if lives are to be saved. While each situation is unique, the one constant is debris, which will need removing and relocating to create adequate stable and flat ground.

The unique design of R-House shelter utilises this readily available material - from rocks to rubble, sand to gravel, soil to cement.  Hesco Concertainer units are filled by hand with the minimal use of unskilled manpower and without specialist equipment. The combination of the geotextile liner and the natural properties of the fill material ensures ventilation, waterproofing and facilitates thermal regulation in all climates. R-House provides optimum protection and comfortable living space for up to eight people against the potentially devastating after-effects of any disaster.

The design of R-House actively encourages those affected to participate in clearing the land and using the salvaged debris to rapidly and simply build new shelters for themselves as well as other essential buildings such as medical facilities, command centres, food stores, community centres and schools.

  • Rapid - R-House shelter can be quickly and easily erected by non-skilled people and without specialist equipment.
  • Resourceful - R-House shelter can be constructed utilising readily available materials such as rubble, rock, soil and sand.
  • Refuge - R-House shelter provides physical protection from the elements as well as a secure habitat for six to eight people.
  • Robust - The integral strength of the Hesco Concertainer ensures that R-House shelter remains durable in any adverse climate or weather condition.
  • Resilient - R-House shelter has a maintenance-free lifespan of 3 years which can be extended to over 30 years with the addition of a roof truss and adobe finish.
  • Responsive - R-House shelter can be quickly and easily extended and adapted to changing circumstances and conditions.
  • Reliable - R-House has undergone a rigorous and exhaustive series of tests.

About Hesco Bastion

Hesco Bastion has been involved in civil, peacekeeping, military, humanitarian and engineering projects for over a decade. The company’s unrivalled capability in design, technical innovation, manufacturing and training has made it a global leader in the development of advanced ground stabilisation gabion systems across a wide range of structural applications. 

The Concertainer units has proved its viability throughout a diverse range of military, homeland security, humanitarian and environmental applications, providing almost limitless engineered fortification with speed and efficiency.

For Further Information please contact:

Angelo De Iacovo

Email: angelo@hesco.com

Tel: +44 (0) 207 350 5454

Web: www.hesco.com