Recent Research: New Tempoary Sheltering Ideas - part 1

Since finishing my graduate thesis project this summer, does not mean that I have stopped my research on temporary sheltering and post-disaster events.  After spending a year designing the “Sofortig(a) Shelter,” I want to keep up on sheltering options that would be feasible for a United States application (the Cocoon, the Pallet House, the Concrete Canvas Shelter, the Sanctuary House, the Cardboard House, and Studio D’s temporary sheltering option).

Image 1 - John Moriarty's Cocoon design

In a survival situation, such as being in a harsh wilderness, what is the number one piece of advice that most experts tell hikers and campers, to stay where you are if lost.  However, some problems can occur such as wetness, animal contact, and bodily heat loss.  To help solve these problems, John Moriary has designed the Cocoon, an outdoor survival shelter.  In an extreme survival situation, an individual sleeping on the ground can be exposed to rain and soil runoffs, as well as dew and moisture.  In addition, ground contact with snow and ice, in the winter, can become deadly.  To help maintain the user’s body heat, the Cocoon’s warm dark colors and materials attract the sun’s energy, helping to heat the Cocoon’s interior space. 

Another situation that could turn deadly is contact with a predatorial animal that could be found in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, such as bears, mountain lions, and coyotes.  To combat these unwanted interactions, the Cocoon can be suspended from a rock or a tree, much like that of a hammock.  In addition, in high wind situations, two anchors near the bottom of the Cocoon can be secured to a sturdy object to help minimize swaying motion.  On the other hand, with the addition of a simple pulley system, this emergency shelter can give the users the opportunity to hoist themselves up to safety, thus improving on Moriarty’s Cocoon design.  To supplement these elements, the shelter’s material incorporates insulation, as well as some form of rain repellency.  Any extreme camp, hiker, or climbers’ worst fear is being stuck in a harsh environment all by themselves.  Carrying Moniarty’s Cocoon, these extremist can put this fear to the back burner, in the hopes of enjoying their trip more. 

Image 2 - The interior of the Pallet House

The tragedies that have been caused by the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, as well as throughout the entire world have created the need for a solution to housing the fleeing refugees.  The Pallet House was designed to act as a transitional shelter for the individuals returning to Kosovo after the war.  Until this design, the option that was used was a typical tent.  This Pallet House provides the individuals with 200 square feet of space.  This shelter is made up of 80 wooden shipping pallets, which are nailed together.  By using shipping pallets, this shelter provides a versatile, recyclable, and sustainable option that can bridge the gap between transitional housing and a permanent housing option.  To transform the Pallet house to a more permanent housing option, the addition of concrete, mud, and/or stone would create a sturdier stable structure. In addition, by adding roofing tiles, insulation, and a vapor barrier to the Pallet House, the structure can create a suitable housing environment for permanent situations. 

Image 3 - The exterior of the Pallet House

Due to the flexibility of adding various exterior materials, the Pallet House is a sheltering option that could be used in most climates and environments throughout the world.  This design has received public notoriety including: gaining an Honorable Mention in a refugee design competition for Kosovo, being featured in the New Your Times article Architecture for Humanity, as well as Spain’s Sunday magazine “El Pais.”  “The Pallet House attempts to join these two critical roles of building together in a project that provides viable and easily realizable housing while simultaneously empowering individuals with confidence, inspiration and very simple materials and tools to rebuild their lives as they see fit” (Pallet House, para 8).

Text
Cocoon Emergengy Survival Treehouse Concept. (2007, September 12). Retrieved/
       November 11, 2011, from http://www.treehousebydesign.com/blog/2007/09/
       cocoon-emergency-survival-treehouse.html
Pallet House Transitional Refugee Shelter. ((n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2011, from
       http://open architecturenetwork.org/inod/2081