Who are we?

We are a team of licensed architects, engineers, builders and housing industry experts, who are passionate about creating an intelligent and lasting solution to the challenges of safe and sustainable living in low-lying coastal regions.

Coastal Fortified Homes is a division of Resilient Home Building Systems™ (RHBS), which stands on a 50-year legacy

of achievement in introducing innovative designs and developing new technologies for the housing industry.

RHBS founder and CEO, Steve Berkus, has become a leading authority in residential concrete precast systems. Of Steve’s 30 years of building experience, the most recent 6 years have been dedicated to a "boots on the ground" approach to the research and development of this timely and relevant building system.

A variety of regionally-focused home plans, with a menu of options, that are as sensible as they are aesthetically appealing.
Licensing opportunities for builders, developers, and community partners.
A proven pathway to certifications for compliance with quality control, resilience, and sustainability standards.
Public awareness and education programs on effective strategies for living in low-lying coastal regions.
Shovel-ready shelter solutions for disadvantaged coastal communities world wide.

Unsurpassed Security and Innovation.

RMax – Polyiso Insulation
PGT Industries – Impact Resistant Windows and doors
Poly-Tuff – Exterior Coatings and Sealants
AxisPointe – 3rd Party Quality Control Management
CEG – Structural Engineer of the Precast Concrete Structure
Stan Luhr – System Assessment and Risk Management
William Coulbourne – Foundation Structural Engineer

Brochure

Resilient homes design collection - Balancing Form and Function

Continuing the Berkus Legacy in the Innovation of Housing

For 50 years the Berkus family has been focused on introducing innovative designs and developing new technologies for the housing industry.* Steve’s late father, acclaimed housing visionary and building system pioneer Barry Berkus, continues to provide inspiration, along with Steve’s brother, also a very talented architect and planner Jeffery Berkus, who collectively contributed to the Resilient Homes Design Collection of proven plans.

Founded initially on the Berkus Resilient Home Design Collection, we are now engaging other prominent architects throughout the nation to contribute their own unique interpretations and designs to the Resilient Homes Design Collection, and to collaborate on all aspects of form, from outreach and expansion to implementation.

The Form

Honoring specific regional styles and cultures without compromising on the pride and integrity of home ownership is our core objective.

The Function

Our system incorporates integrated design, environmental sensitivity, and flexible living configurations. Through continued performance testing and measuring, awareness, education, and outreach, Resilient Home Building Systems and Coastal Fortified Homes will continually remain proactive and relevant.

We seek to provide the ideal indoor/outdoor relationship, connecting first choice floor plans with authentic exterior character options. That's the cake, and a menu of flexible, relevant options provides the icing. For example, these options allow you to:

further embrace sustainability.
further address emergency preparedness.
prepare for the future – be adaptable to a growing or multi-generational family, a live/work environment, or a desirable vacation rental location.

Like a blank canvas, we offer the tools that allow you to create your own art-work of a home.

Steve Berkus, CEO

Home Build Time-Lapse Video

Resilient Home Building Systems™ (RHBS)
The family of RHBS resources, products, and initiatives is dedicated to addressing each primary element of the challenges facing low-lying coastal regions around the world, including (but not limited to):

A turn-key home building system engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricanes (200 mph winds and accompanying storm-water)
A durable, energy efficient, insurable, mold and insect resistant, obtainably priced home with a collectively lower cost of ownership
An alliance of leading manufacturers, concrete precasters, industry consultants, and architects, including:

Resilient homes development partners

We are establishing relationships with public and private partners in opportunities for ecologically sustainable development and greater community resilience efforts within low-lying coastal regions.

Private / Private

We have the skill set to participate on either or all of the entitlement, design and build-out tasks. This depth allows for flexibility when it comes to entering new markets and accessing opportunities that complement the overall RHBS agenda.

Private / Public

We are engaging in collaboration with national government agencies (HUD, FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security) to help create opportunities for greater resilience in low-lying coastal communities, as well as focusing on effective Infrastructure Management:

Protective - for barrier island regions, to support existing natural systems, topography and vegetation for flood and erosion management.
Green - for urban development, including vegetation-based storm-water management systems.

Current Weather and Severe Weather News

* 1960's-1970's

Operation Breakthrough: Nationwide – Barry Berkus worked with the US Government on a DHUD demonstration program to provide a new system of housing production, financing, marketing, management and land use.
Christian Western Structures: Nationwide – Innovated panelized building concepts.
Laguna Beach Apartments: Laguna Beach, California– Innovated panelized/lift up tower modules with floor/roof panels for hillside developments.
Levitt Mobile Modular Systems: Nationwide – Innovated mobile modular housing units.
Alcoa Aluminum Products: Nationwide – Innovated panelized housing systems

1980's

HMX-1 Modular Demonstration Home: Houston, Texas National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Convention show home – Showcased new building technologies.
Asphalt Industry Demonstration Home: Midwest – Showcased new living patterns and uses for asphaltic products.
Copper Industry Demonstration Home: East Coast – Showcased new living patterns and uses for copper products and assemblies.
New Expanding Shelter Technology (NEST) program: Nationwide NAHB Convention show homes – Showcased innovative design in modular construction.
Rokko Demonstration Home: Japan – Showcased innovative American design and construction techniques.
The New American Home 1987: Dallas, Texas NAHB / Hanley Wood - National Demonstration Home – Introduced new technologies and home design concepts to the marketplace

1990's

Mod Pod: Nationwide – Rapidly deployable, disaster relief “temporary housing”.
The Home of the Future: Fort Worth, Texas, Hanley Wood / Centex Homes - National Demonstration Home – Introduced new technologies and home design concepts to the marketplace.
The Millennium House: Nationwide – Introduced a new concept in home design and construction techniques inspired by the organic growth patterns and forms found in nature.
Concrete Demonstration Home: Houston, TexasNAHB Convention show home – Showcased innovative Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction.

2000's

Four Demonstration Homes: Austin, Texas – Introduced new living patterns and site-specific design solutions to the marketplace.
Silverleaf Casitas: Scottsdale, Arizona – Gold Nugget Awards “Project of the Year”.
Yanonali Court: Santa Barbara, California – Gold Nugget Awards “Project of the Year”, LEED Platinum Rated enclave of homes

2010's

Agri-homes: Nationwide – Introducing new living patterns in agrarian settings.
The New American Home 2014: Las Vegas, Nevada. NAHB / Hanley Wood - LEED Platinum - National Demonstration Home.
Coastal Fortified Homes: Port Aransas, Texas – Introducing new concepts in fortified concrete construction techniques to the marketplace.