Home » This is how we build houses that can withstand 9 Richter earthquakes for hours - “Detailed report on KOFINAS SA: What Ethnos and Imerisiia reveal”

On the occasion of the major earthquake that occurred recently in Turkey (2023), there were many concerns for Greece as well. Thus, on the occasion of the 2 anti-seismic experiments of KOFINAS SA that were very successful, a press conference was given to a journalist from Ethnos and Imerisias by Mr. Kofinas Michael about the buildings constructed by the KOFINAS company and their behavior under such stress.

Michalis Kofinas: This is how we build houses that can withstand 9 Richter magnitudes for hours

It is the company that breaks all stereotypes in the construction industry, but its homes can still comfortably withstand long hours of testing. and earthquake of 9 Richter. It sources raw materials from Scandinavian countries and its products are quickly becoming popular in the demanding markets of Sweden, Germany and Cyprus.

It overturns the laws of gravity and the misconceptions of Greeks about the safest and most economical home. It reduces its environmental footprint, abhors quantity and is obsessed with quality. However, what makes it special is the huge investment in research and the leading certifications in the most demanding conditions of the international market.

As soon as I entered his office Michael Kofinas for the interview it was as if we were continuing a conversation that we had left off a little earlier: "Here we don't construct buildings with experience and I think so, but with research and I clarify it. Good evening, welcome...".

Two young men from Ayvalik...

Seconds later he revealed to me the his refugee origin from Ayvalik So I prepared myself for a journey through time that could very well be a business best seller by the demonic Greek.

Once upon a time, somewhere in 1977, Nikos Kofinas decided to take his first steps in prefabricated houses...

What happened next was unexpected for everyone: "After two years, his brother took me with him, so we started and walked together all this time. It was very nice, despite the difficulties. Then we started a family and were lucky to have our health and then our children stayed in the business studying various specialties. We gradually developed in construction, but the children developed it on a scientific level. They became engineers, architects, electricians, mechanical engineers and this gave great momentum to the business," says with pleasure. Michalis Kofinas.

The three-story building that didn't crack at 9 on the Richter scale

The big push was given after the Athens Olympics: "A big push has been given in the last 18 years. We don't build buildings with I think, but with I clarify. We test our buildings at the Polytechnic. It is worth noting that our Polytechnic has the best chemical technology laboratories. Luckily for us, it is next to us and we test them for natural phenomena for the most part. We have done several experiments and have learned a lot from the Polytechnic. This has helped us to develop the quality a lot. A year ago (ed. 2022) we also did an experiment. It is worth seeing it at some point in a three-story house where we gave it a stress of over 9 on the Richter scale. We wanted to make such a building that under such strong stresses not only does not fall, but also does not bleed, crack, or break."

The experiment that left seismologists speechless

The experiment was crowned with complete success, impressing even leading seismologists: "We achieved this and it was the result of technology in a proportion of 75%. The remaining 25% is due to the quality of materials. The "A" and the "Z" are the technology. How it evolves, how this material was created to make it an object in this particular case at home. Because the best materials, if you have them and don't apply them correctly. Unfortunately, the mood, the result.

The two secrets to withstand 9 Richter magnitudes

"Technology is the big secret. It is very important how you assemble the best materials you have. If you don't know how to apply them, they won't have the right result. With a very correct technology, correct application, you will work wonders. Here we have two characteristics: The technology and the materials and that's how this result came out. If you carefully watch the video with the three-story house that receives the load of 9 Richter, the entire building is loaded with weights where these replace the furniture that would have been inside or some other materials."

All cars take you to Europe

When asked if all prefabricated houses are earthquake-resistant, Michalis Kofinas is clear: "All prefabricated houses are earthquake-resistant. From there on, it is the qualities that will play a role in how much and what each house will suffer in a strong stress. Of course, all are seismic, but from there on, there are qualitative differences. It's like cars. All of them can take you around Europe, all brands. Otherwise, you will go with one car, or with another."

Research makes the difference...

Investment in research and interaction with the scientific community is a characteristic of Michalis Kofinas' company: "Our children who became engineers, architects, and mechanical engineers were involved in the research chapter. They developed this by going out and seeing new technologies. It was something they really wanted. They brought new technologies, adopted them, applied them, and developed them even further. That's what we do. The company is not only active in Greece, but we also export to three countries. We do it in Cyprus, we do it in Germany, and we do it in Sweden. In fact, our buildings are considered both qualitative and economical. We have special characteristics in the quality of the materials, but mostly in the technology.

The big goals

"The company now has a goal every year not to build more houses. We want to build better houses. In other words, our vision and our goal is not to double the number next year and then five times as many in 5 years. Not a very small increase. What I want to say is that we want it to be and we aim to be much higher quality. Technology is constantly moving here. I don't want to know two words. It doesn't exist, I know I know and nothing will happen to you. If you say these two things, are you done? I know, don't say it because tomorrow next year there will be something else and then nothing will happen to you. You shouldn't say it because you keep quiet and get hurt. It's just that a good company makes such moves less often, to be much smaller. The risks, the risk will always exist."