Emergency Shelters

By Marina Correa

Photography:  Courtesy the architect

In a world increasingly challenged by man-made and natural disasters, a temporary housing solution called GRID packs a punch with its adaptability, toughness and mobility factor. But the alacrity at which it can be manufactured in just 48 hours and assembled in less than four hours, makes it truly remarkable…

Although there is nothing sensational about its looks; in terms of flexibility, its capacity for modular arrangements makes it meld into any cultural situation - be it single family, community or institutional housing. Similarly, its adaptable foundation allows it to be fitted onto any type of terrain. For instance, the adjustable scaffolding props used as supporting columns make it suitable for uneven or devastated terrain.

GRID responds to all conditions ranging from minimum availability of labour and materials in remote areas, to one where natural catastrophe dictates all aspects for the provision of human shelter, bringing out its toughness factor. “The strategy was to devise both an ‘ideal’ and a ‘reuse’ system that could operate interchangeably in all conditions,” say the Sydney-based architects – Carterwilliamson.

Taking adjustability to the next level, in disaster zones the materials retrieved from debris are used to make the shelter, whereas in less compromised conditions, GRID is also designed to be pre-fabricated off-site and transported ‘flat-packed’ to remote areas.

Add caption

It has the capacity to house 8-10 people with even a mezzanine level for sleeping and privacy! The pre-fabricated housing comes fully equipped with sustainable energy like solar panels, water tanks, composting toilet system, and gas cylinders for cooking. Manually operated ‘barn-door’ windows on all elevations make ventilation a breeze.

Schlepped into remote locations worldwide, GRID has the potential to provide temporary housing relief to those devastated by calamities; especially giving back to societies in need, everywhere.