Renco USA brings Lego-style composite building system to construction

Renco USA Inc. (Miami, Fla., U.S.) has brought its mineral composite, fiber-reinforced (MCFR) building system — using repurposed resins, glass fibers and naturally occurring calcium compounds — to residential construction in an effort to design strong, resilient and sustainable structures. 

The system “uses blocks that interlock like Lego bricks to create everything from structural walls to floors and roofs,” according to Engineering News-Record (ENR), bonded together with a methyl methacrylate bonding agent, similar to that already used for aerospace, marine and large truck connections. Not only does this reduce cost, Renco USA reports, but it also enables for rapid assembly with less people — a four-building multifamily project in Palm Springs, Florida, “required a crew of only about 11 workers with varying levels of skill and experience,” to construct it in about 8 weeks, following color-coded plans.

Notably, reports ENR, “Renco USA’s MCFR system qualifies for LEED points for its recycled content, is rated to withstand winds up to approximately 275 miles per hour and its blocks, joists, decking and adhesives have passed tests in ANSI-certified laboratories for structural performance, physical characteristics and fire resistance.” The material has also been certified to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and jas successfully passed more than 400 safety tests to design and install its products under the International Building Code.

The Renco system won Construction Product Design of the Year at the BLT Built Design Awards in 2023 in Lucerne, Switzerland. It was also one of 11 JEC Innovation Award winners.