To conclude the proposed thesis project, after conducting in-depth research, the creation of a post-disaster temporary shelter for use after a natural disaster is in great need, due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, the growing strength of natural disasters, and the increasing numbers of displaced individuals. The reason is, it is not if another “Katrina” will happen within the United States, but when. The shelter and shelter village, while creating a place the displaced individuals can call “home,” needs to promote an atmosphere of comfort and well-being. To do this, three areas need to be taken into consideration: domicile, social, and ecological. Currently, there are various post-disaster shelters being used around the world; however, there are certain aspects that make the Sofortige Shelter a more desirable solution within the United States.
Image 1 - A before and after image of of the destruction Hurricane Katrina caused in New Orleans
Due to the United States having four separate climate zones, the Sofortige Shelter is designed to be modified to fit various environments with a change in paneling system and window treatments. With the average family size in the United States being 3.14, the Sofortige Shelter is able to comfortably shelter between one to four individuals (2005-2009 American Community, 2009). However, for a larger family, two shelters can be linked to shelter four to shelter up to eight people. After a natural disaster, the electricity and water could be disconnected for several weeks. Due to this, the use of solar collecting fabric and solar battery cells, as well as a cistern system will allow the Sofortige Shelter to become an independent shelter until the utilities can be reconnected.
Image 2 - Detailed plumbing and electrical components that help make the shelter an independent structure
The shelter, while maintaining the above items, will remain a cost-effective solution for reasons including: the use of local recyclable materials, being designed as a kit-of-parts which allow for easy transportation, and using elements found in nature (wind, precipitation, sunlight) to create a sustainable post-disaster shelter. While taking the publics’ participation into account, a successful design can be created to make the inhabitants feel comfortable and not embarrassed to live in a shelter or a shelter village, for FEMA’s maximum length of 18 months. In the end, the ultimate goal, before the proposed shelter design process began, is to follow in Rafael Smith’s footsteps in providing a shelter that will do what most displaced people cannot do, safely shelter themselves and their families after a major disaster.
North Elevation West Elevation
South Elevation East Elevation
Once I completed my thesis project, the next step would be gaining a patent for my design. After discussing taking my design to the next step (sending my design to FEMA, Red Cross, and other international organizations), with SIU Carbondale’s architectural professors, I realized that a patent, for my design, could range from $4,000 - $15,000. However, for a project as large and complex as a temporary shelter, to get a patent on my thesis could easily reach the $15,000 range. The major reasons in the price increase, besides the projects complexity, is that being a project completed at SIU Carbondale, they would have partial rights to my design; therefore, I would need to hire a patent attorney. After graduating with my Masters in Architecture and being $60,000 in debt, I am extremely leery of spending $15,000 on a patent in the hopes that an organization likes it enough to purchase it from me.
Text
2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. (2009). Retrieved January
2005-2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. (2009). Retrieved January
26, 2011, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts.
Images
Images 1 - http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01702/orleans2_1702589i.jpg
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