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, catastrophe, or war, the displaced individuals seem to find themselves crowded together in small, inadequate, and/or makeshift shelters. Studio D, funded by a research grant, began to research how common materials and their applications could be used in a way that would create a successful temporary shelter. This research and design project, which was developed by Gene Daniels, started as a scholarly investigation. This project has since evolved into a social and environmental commitment that would house a single person; therefore, giving them a place to call their own. Studio D’s shelter would provide the users with many positive components following the tragedy of a natural disaster. These positive components would include a reliable, cheap, portable shelter that is biodegradable, simple, and that is easy to assemble.
Image 1 - A view showing how Studio D's shelter comes together
Image 2 - A view of how Studio D's shelters can be incorporated to create a community
Much the roof of my shelter, Studio D’s roof has one main purpose, which is to keep the users out of the elements. However, the shelter’s roof also provides an area where the user can store their personal belongings. By providing adequate ceiling storage, it supplies the users with as much useable square footage as possible. This sheltering option, with all of its positive elements, has one MAJOR downfall: the Studio D shelter only provides and is designed for a single user. With the research I completed for my thesis project, I have discovered, for New Orleans, the average household is comprised of 3 to 4 individuals; therefore, a shelter is needed to house 3 to 3 individuals, not a single person.
In times of war, there is a need for a structure that can provide safety and security to its inhabitants. Rather than another soft-skinned shelter, the 172 square foot Concrete Canvas shelter provides a fire-proof, hard skinned environment. The Concrete Canvas shelter consists of a concrete infused cloth material that is stretched over an inflatable plastic structure. To transform this “building in a bag” into a usable space, three steps need to be completed: unroll the pack, inflate the structure, and water the concrete fabric. To complete the setup of this shelter, it takes two individuals two hours to set up the structure. In addition, it takes 24 hours for the concrete fabric to cure. Once this shelter’s fabric cures, it would be beneficial for the shelter to be bermed to provide superior thermal properties, as well as a shelter that provides protection against small fire arms and shell fragments.
Image 3 - The Concrete Canvas setup process
Image 4 - The Concrete Canvas shelter withstanding a harsh winter environment
The Concrete Canvas supplies many elements that that would be beneficial during times of war. The first element is the shelter’s ability to be linked together to serve as a military base camp. The second element is the shelter’s two lockable doors. This gives the users a sense of privacy and security. The last element is the shelter’s sealed plastic interior. This interior provides a sterile environment, which is beneficial for a medical camp, as well as protection against chemical and biological warfare. Toda, the most popular sheltering option for military and refugee camps are tents; however, due to strong winds, these tents can become damaged in as little as three weeks. In addition, these tents provide inadequate protection and transportability for a high cost. On the other hand, with normal use, the Concrete Canvas shelter can have a design life of up to ten years. The Concrete Canvas shelter is reasonably lightweight, even though the skin is made up of a concrete fabric.
Text
Janzwn, M. (2009, May 15). Concrete Canvas Shelter - Just Add Water. Retrieved
November 11, 2011, from http://www.tiny housedesign.com/2009/05/15/concrete-
canvas-shelters-just-add-water
Temporary Habitat. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2001, from http://studio-d.org/
research.html
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