Solar Powered Flat Pack Shelters

Ola,

As you all are well aware, one of my goals as an interior designer is to infuse
GREEN BUILDING in all of my future projects.  On a personal level, I love dwellings that have a small footprint and are self sufficient.

I came across an article on INHABITAT.COM entitled, IKEA Unveils Solar-Powered Flat Pack Shelters for Easily Deployable Emergency Housing.

IKEA's Flat Pack Solar Powered Shelter

IKEA has taken their flat pack technology and is now using it to create comfortable, solar powered shelters for emergency housing for natural disaster victims and refugees.

The solar powered flat pack shelters where developed in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNCHR) and can be quickly setup for those in need.

Before IKEA's collaboration with the UNCHR, the UNCHR could only provide tents are covered mass-shelters for the overwhelming influx of refugees into other countries.

IKEA's Flat Pack Shelter can be assembled in 4 hours

Here are some great things about these new shelters being provided by the UNCHR:

• They arrive flat packed, facilitating transport of the lightweight shelters all at one time

• They are 188 sq.ft. (17.47 sq. metres) and can be built in four hours

• They have enough room for five people to sleep comfortably

• They are twice the size of the official refugee tent

• They have solar paneled roofing, allowing inhabitants to generate their own electricity, removing the need for candles or kerosene lamps 

• They provide privacy, comfort, and the dignity of having their own place

• The roof also helps to deflect solar reflection by 70%, keeping the interior cool during the day and warmer at night.

These new shelters will be used in Ethiopia next month.

It warms my heart to know that natural disaster victims and refugees of conflict will have not only a warm, dry place to sleep, but also a place they can call their own while they start to rebuild their lives.

AWESOME!!!

Australia’s First Flat-Pack Apartment Building

Ola!!!

In my last post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I talked about FabCab and how they design and sell Environmentally Friendly Pre-Fabricated Homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

This week, I read an article on Australia's first Flat-Pack (Modular) Apartment Building on DESIGNBUILDSOURCE.COM.AU. 

Modular Apartment Building - Wayfarers

The two-story modular apartment building, dubbed the Wayfarers, will feature two, three and four-bedroom apartments and is expected to be completed in an amazing five weeks as opposed to the six months it would generally take to build such a project using traditional means.

In my post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I noted the differences between modular versus traditional building:

"Modular Homes are built to the same IRC building codes and State Building Codes that site built homes are. The difference is that all Modular Homes are built in a controlled environment and third party inspected at the factory before they are delivered to your site to make sure they comply with all local building codes. Site built homes are constructed out in the elements and only have the electrical system inspected unless you are in a code-enforced area. The contractor may say it is built to the IRC code but no one is inspecting the home to make sure it actually is. 

Modular homes are built with the efficiency and quality control only found using factory assembly line techniques. Each home travels through departments staffed with specialized workers who represent every building trade. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows or missing material. Materials are also protected from the weather instead of being piled outside. The average typical waste of building a 2,000 sq ft. home is in excess of 8,000 pounds. In Modular Home construction that waste can be recycled. 

Quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of modular homes. After Hurricane Andrew, a FEMA study showed that system built (Modular Homes) construction stood up better than site built homes in the storm-ravaged Dade County. “Overall relatively minimal structural damage was noted in system-built homes. System-built construction provides an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing.” Along with quality control processes, inspectors and code compliance you are assured your new home will be every thing you dream it will be. "  - Anderson Homes, Inc. 

After writing about FabCab and their modular homes, I wondered why there aren't any modular apartments?  Be careful what you ask for!!!!

What are your opinions on modular building?

Do you think this will replace traditional building?

Let us know!!!!