Since finishing my graduate thesis project this in August of 2011, 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).
In the events following a natural disaster (hurricane, flood, tornado, and/or earthquake), not only is there a need for temporary sheltering, but there is a great need of semi- permanent housing options to help transition the displaced individuals from shelters to permanent housing options. One such design is the prefabricated Cardboard House. This $35,000 house was designed by architects Statchbury and Papa. These houses arrive to the desired location as a kit-of-parts, which can be erected in just less than six hours, with the help of a few family members. To help create a sustainable structure, the Cardboard House incorporates all recyclable materials, a composting toilet, and a water collection system.
Image 1 - Interior and exterior views of the Cardboard House
Due to the uncertainty of knowing future events, the lightweight Cardboard House can be easily deconstructed and moves to a new location. In addition, because it can be deconstructed, it can be stored if not in immediate need. The Cardboard House, being made from a cardboard base, is coated to protect the house from water, wind, insects, as well as the sun’s energy. Stutchbury and Pape worked with the Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Unit at he University of Sidney, who had this to say about their Cardboard House, “by demonstrating that we are able to recycle 100% of the building components at extremely low cost, the Cardboard House is a direct challenge to the housing industry to reduce housing and environmental costs” (Fehrenbacher, para 3).
Image 2 - Fenestration Controls of the Cardboard House
In the events following a hurricane (Katrina), flood (Indian Ocean Tsunami), and earthquake (Haiti), safety should be the first priority of the affected individuals. To help do this, new shelter designs are created and put into use. After the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004, the Sanctuary Shelter was created to provide to create a warm, dry place to sleep at night. The biodegradable shelter material of this shelter, DuPont Tyvek, provides a laundry list of positive aspects for the users: moisture repelling, lightweight pack, wear, tear, and chemical resistant, flexibility, recyclable, and resistant to water and blood borne microbes. Inside this 15kg shelter, the users will find a dry towel, sandals (made from biodegradable potato starch), a first-aid-kit, and a warm blanket. In addition, to help in the rescue of its users after a natural disaster, the Sanctuary Shelter incorporates a reflective “X” on top of its roof to aid rescue helicopters and airplanes.
Image 3 - Elevations of the Sanctuary Shelter
Image 4- Isometric and set up phases of the Sanctuary Shelter
When not in use, the shelter can be compressed for travel or storage; however, once it is needed, the shelter can be popped open without the need for tools or bracing poles. The bottom floor of the Sanctuary Shelter is reinforced with a 20cm “environmentally friendly biodegradable water repellent coating (Jonathan Kim, para 3). After a flood, earthquake, or tsunami, there is a immediate need to get off of the ground. To respond to this, the Sanctuary Shelter can be elevated off of the ground, via attaching it to a tree, a overhanging building, ect. All in all, this design helps to shelter and protect the displaced individuals in the aftermath following a natural disaster.
Text
Fehrenbacher, J. The Cardboard House. (2005, August 26). Retrieved October 11,
2011, from http://inhabitat.com/the-cardboard-house
Kim, J. Sanctuary. Retrieved November 11, 2011, from http://design21sdn.com/
competitions/7/entries/652/gallery/4139
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