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!!!