IKEA Unveils Solar-Powered Flat Pack Shelters for Easily Deployable Emergency Housing – writes Lori Zimmer for Inhabitat.
“IKEA has just turned its flat pack sensibilities from the urban apartment to the global village by unveiling a comfortable, solar-powered shelter that can provide emergency housing for natural disaster victims and refugees.”
The flat pack homes were developed in collaboration between the IKEA Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), and they can be set up in four hours to provide immediate shelter for those in need.
“Prior to the IKEA collaboration, the UNCHR was only able to provide tents or converted mass-shelters for the influx of refugees into countries around the world,” notes Lori Zimmer, “now, with IKEA’s help, these displaced citizens will not only have privacy and comfort, but the dignity of having their own place.”
IKEA’s shelters come flat packed, making for the easy transport of the lightweight plastic shelters. Assembly of the 188 square foot hut is easy and can be done in just four hours. Five people can sleep comfortably and the interior is twice the size of the regulation refugee tent. Importantly, the modules have solar paneled roofing, allowing generation of electricity. The roof material also helps to deflect solar reflection by up to 70%, keeping the interior cooler during the day and warmer at night.
The new IKEA/UNHCR shelters will make their first be deployed in Ethiopia next month.
For more details see: http://inhabitat.com/ikeas-solar-powered-flat-pack-refugee-shelters-offer-easily-deployable-emergency-housing/
