Students in Plaquemune and Jefferson parishes in Louisiana were able to return to school this fall in new, stronger classrooms with exteriors provided by Artcrete, a manufacturer of faux brick stenciled concrete.

A total of 168 precast classrooms were delivered to five schools in south Louisiana. The classrooms were built by Fibrebond Corp. using Artcrete products and processes. They were built and erected in a third of the time for traditional buildings, with no on-site construction required.

The classrooms are designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, with 8-in. exterior walls, and should last 50 to 75 years. With the Artcrete finishes, classrooms can be designed to match the existing architecture of a school. The buildings can be easily relocated once a permanent facility is completed.

"We had to find something real quick and real good," said Martin Marino, Jefferson Parish school board president. "We would have had to postpone school or put in portable buildings over time, and chats not done as quickly."

Artcrete spokesperson Frank Piccolo said the company is pleased to have played a part in helping the students get back to normal after the devastating hurricanes and happy to provide a school of which the students can he proud.