Galexa Brings High Technology to Safe Affordable Housing
(Photo : Galexa Brings High Technology to Safe Affordable Housing)

For some time now, the reality of global climate change has been apparent to individuals and business leaders around the world. This reality is already starting to have real and visible effects on people everywhere and there aren't very many places where those effects are as apparent - and dangerous - as they are in the southern US state of Florida.

Over the past few years, the summertime temperature averages in the state have been rising. So is sea level - by about an inch per decade. But the change that presents the most immediate threat to the state and its inhabitants is the rapidly worsening Atlantic hurricane season.

The threat from severe storms has pushed the state to toughen its building codes to help ensure that new homes and office buildings have what it takes to survive the frequent storms in the area. With this comes added costs that come with living up to those strict standards has helped fuel an affordable housing crisis in heavily populated parts of the state.  Now, there's a construction firm with a technological bent that aims to solve that problem and their name is GALEXA. Here's what's happening.

A New Approach to Safe Affordable Housing

In 2018, a man named Chuck Ardezzone began puzzling over why Florida was struggling so mightily with building enough affordable housing to meet demand. He reasoned that tiny homes, or homes made from shipping containers would provide an answer to the problem. But he soon discovered that none of those structures could meet the aforementioned strict hurricane safety codes. So, he set out to find a solution. He set to work on a new venture - called Galexa - that he hoped would change the affordable housing equation in Florida and beyond.

The Technology to Withstand a Hurricane

Since the founding of Galexa, the core technologies at the heart of the endeavor have continued to develop. In the years since then, those technologies have evolved into a complete pre engineered construction system that can create homes and buildings that are safer, built faster, & super energy efficient, while staying affordable.

To begin with, Galexa's system is certified as category 5 hurricane-proof by the State of Florida. Galexa just recently got their Florida Product Approval and they are building homes already. That means Galexa's buildings and homes can withstand wind speeds up to 250 miles per hour. That's not a transposition error. The system is built to take punishment and remain intact. And if you're asking yourself what is a transposition error - then you're starting to understand just how tough Galexa's technology is.

And that's not all. Galexa's system is also bulletproof, testing above Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) 752 and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Ballistics specifications. Their system is  also termite-proof, mold and mildew proof, and fire-resistant - even meeting California's strict fire safety codes.

The Speed of Assembly

Despite all of the technological advantages that Galexa's pre engineered construction system brings to the table, it still would only be a partial solution if it were to be put together on a construction site like a traditional home. Fortunately, they've addressed that too. Using their stock components, a 1,500 square foot home can be completed in just 120 days - which is less than half the time the average home now takes to build.

Galexa accomplishes the feat using an innovative pre engineered system that is assembled in a factory. The designs are custom manufactured using 100% composite materials that produce each needed part to the exact specifications and tolerances called for in the model. All of the building framing components are even pre-assembled before reaching a job site - dramatically simplifying the work it takes to erect a new structure.

Taking the Next Step

Galexa isn't resting on its laurels after getting its high-tech modular construction system into production. They've already gotten noticed by NASA, HUD, and FEMA, and are negotiating to bring their products into projects headed by those agencies. One of the contracts would call for the construction of 1,000 homes in Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from several major hurricane strikes.

They're also busily pursuing another round of venture capital financing to help underwrite the upcoming work they have planned. After already attracting a $1 million initial round of financing that helped them get into the production stage, they're now seeking an additional $5 million to fund the many projects they have in the works including 128 units apartment building. 

In the end, all of this work aims to accomplish the critical goal of providing safe, energy efficient  and affordable housing to those who need it - and to do so no matter the environmental conditions. With the pace with which our environment is morphing into one unfriendly for humans, it's a good thing somebody's tackling this all-important task.

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