INTRODUCTION
Whether in post-disaster, post-conflict or general conditions of impoverishment, shelter is one of the most basic human needs. That said, determining data requirements can be daunting. Each environment requires a combination of shelter options to provide housing that serves multiple functions, including protection from the weather and other natural elements, provisions for varying numbers of residents and other context-specific needs based on the length of time the shelter is needed, transportability, energy efficiency, etc.
Meeting such environment and usage-specific shelter needs in rapid response and emergency situations can be difficult tasks especially in complex operations involving diverse military and civilian providers of aid and security. To encourage an effective mix of shelter solutions in post-disaster, post-conflict and impoverished conditions, STAR-TIDES is compiling information about technologies and infrastructures that may be used in various circumstances, and providing introductions to other information sources.
KEY RESOURCES
OTHER RESOURCES
The following is a list of other resources that provide helpful information about shelters:
Hexayurt Project
A long-term shelter option requiring limited resources and buildable by hand in post-conflict or post-disaster situations. The Hexayurt is an open-source design and can be made with a variety of components.
Builders Without Borders
International network of ecological builders who advocate the use of straw, earth and other local, affordable materials in construction.
http://www.builderswithoutborders.org/
Natural Building Network
Non-profit association promoting natural building principles, materials and practitioners worldwide.
http://www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org
Humanitarian Bamboo
Project which aims to educate aid workers about bamboo construction.
Emergency Items Catalogue, ICRC 2009
The catalogue aims to standardize the selection and procurement of relief items during emergency situations.
http://procurement.ifrc.org/catalogue/
Oxfam and IFRC’s Plastic Sheeting Field Guide
To educate aid workers about the use of plastic sheeting in emergencies.
http://www.plastic-sheeting.org/#GUIDELINES
UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies (see page 221)
Stresses the importance of pre-emergency planning as well as planning throughout a crisis.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/46a9e29a2.pdf
United Nations Tent manual
Guide to the use and logistics of family tents during humanitarian assistance.
http://www.plastic-sheeting.org/ref/tents.pdf
PRIVATE INDUSTRY
Each link will lead you to a new page that lists shelter solutions under these broad categories. (Note: TIDES does not endorse any specific products or stores, nor are we responsible for the content on the links.)
Equipment Providers
Planning factors common to all shelter solutions are:
INFLATABLE SHELTERS
List of Inflatable shelter providers:
Covertex
J B Roche
Mohab
Southern Inflatables
http://www.southerninflatables.net
LOCAL MATERIALS (REUSABLE/SUSTAINABLE SHELTERS)
List of local material providers:
California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture
Earthbag Building
http://www.earthbagbuilding.com
Hesco Bastion Ltd
Natural Building Network
OK OK OK Productions:
Strawbale
Tesinma
http://www.tesinma.com/shelter.html
RIGID STRUCTURES
List of rigid structure providers:
World Shelters
3S Scandinavian Shelter System
Aganto
Corimec Italiana SPA
D&D FRB Inc
Exup, Inc.
Triangular Integrated Structures
http://www.DeployableGeoShelters.com
Koma Modular Construction
http://www.koma-modular-construction.czechtrade.us
ModSpace
http://www.modspace.com/services
Nuhcontainer
Octagon Europe Ltd
Profil Montage
Quick Quarters
Shelbox
Sintex Industries
http://www.sintex-plastics.com
Spaciotempo
TPI Housing AB
Treyson
Universal Building Solutions
Veldeman Group
Kwikspace Modular Buildings Ltd.
Dynamic Shells
Perfect Shelters
http://www.perfectshelters.com
PKL
O.B. Wiik AS
IADDIC
MilSys
CAMSS Shelters- Portable Shelters
https://camss.com/
TENTS
List of tent providers:
World Shelters
Alaska Structures
http://www.alaskastructures.com
J B Roche
Ably Shelters
http://www.tacticalshelters.com
IADDIC
Pacific Domes
Shelter Systems
http://www.shelter-systems.com
Tesinma
http://www.tesinma.com/shelter.html
Element Domes
MilSys
Hesco Bastion Ltd
Rubb Building Systems
Al Farooq Enterprise
Albion Canvas
Alpinter
Amrit Sales Corporation
Atara Corporation
http://www.ataracorporation.com
Celina Tent
Chancel Internationa
http://www.chancelinternational.com/
City Textiles (PVT)
EuroPlus
Fra Angelico ltd
Giulio Barbieri
HSNDS
Lamifab Industries
Mahavira Tents
National Tent House
http://www.nationaltenthouse.com
O.R.T. Scientific Industrial Firm
Paramount Tarpaulin Industries
Pavel Šmic- Condor
Reltex
Rofi
Saeed Textile
http://www.saeedtextile.com.pk
SG Textiles
Sharza
Worldwide Shelters
http://www.worldwideshelters.com
Rotary
Design Shelter, Inc.
PKL
O.B. Wiik AS
HOMErgent
HousAll Systems
Creative Tent International
http://creativetent.us/disaster-events.php
TARPS
List of tarp providers:
Tarpaflex
SG Textiles
Reltex
Paramount Tarpaulin Industries
O.B. Wiik AS
Lamifab Industries
HSNDS
Shelter Systems
http://www.shelter-systems.com
Al Farooq Enterprise
Albion Canvas
Arun Manufacturing
http://www.pefilms-tarps-ropes.com
Atara Corporation
http://www.ataracorporation.com
Chancel International
http://www.chancelinternational.com/
City Textiles (PVT)
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 2, 2014
GigaHouse is a super insulated steel framed building system (steel is the most recycled material on earth) utilizing GigaPanel components and so energy efficient that it can exceed even ICF construction in thermal qualities. It is NOT a SIP’S panel. GigaCrete EPS panels utilize our patented structural steel stud connection system.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 2, 2014
"Portable Modular Armored Guard Post - Assembled in 15-20 min.
Protects against small arms fire and RPG"
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
"Braddock is the only rigid walled shelter system on the market that combines extreme deployability with the latest energy efficiency technologies. Deployed in a single shipping container, Braddock greatly decreases fossil fuel consumption (>70%) through its cutting edge and seamlessly integrated solar, battery, thermal efficiency, power management, and remote monitoring technologies. Uniquely, its modular design allows for tailored configurations for a variety of use cases and customers, and integrations of multiple systems into single temperature controlled structures.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
"The Visible Good RDM 9.14 is a hard walled, hard floored temporary building measuring approximately 9’w x 14’L x 9.5’t. The RDM has an insulating, raised floor (approx 6” off ground) that sits on adjustable height feet. The exterior walls are insulating hollow-core panels with locking windows and doors as shown. The roof and shade fly are fabric, supported by the main structure.
• The RDM ships in a single crate, the crate unfolds to become
the floor
• Main crate approximate size & weight: 3.5’w x 7.25’L x 3.5’t; 1340#
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
"Our flagship product, ShelterTec Modular Systems’ HumaniTec series is a 14 sq. ft.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
IGS offers a green alternative to traditional block & concrete, petroleum and wood-based building materials. Our construction technology is easily expandable and accommodates a variety of sizes and designs – from residential housing to commercial and institutional structures and is adaptable to local cultures.
IGS structures can be shipped globally and can be assembled within days of arrival. All of our solutions meet national and international building codes.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
Solution is a complete package for command and control, accommodation, power generation and water purification.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on July 1, 2014
"Energy Efficient Shelters - Rigid Wall, 20 Ft expandable, Double sided fold out. The E2S2 represents the next generation of ISO container-based expandable shelters designed to maximize energy efficiency and provide ultimate flexibility in transport, deployment, and configuration. All Expandable Shelter Systems can be transported by air, land or sea. Shelters are ISO 1496-1 compliant and CSC certified for 9-high stacking.
Submitted by Jonathan Fredrickson on June 30, 2014
"The Aspen tent system series inflatable shelter is the most robust, weather resistant shelter offered in the market today. Its rapid inflation time, less than 6 minutes from deployment to installed and ready to use, makes this an ideal solution for either short or longer term installations.
Modular and configurable: Losberger TAG shelters are available in sizes ranging from 300 sqft up to 840 sqft. With a large range of available colours (orange, sand, nato green, & white) and optional accessories such as lighting, Heating/AC systems & electrical distribution.
Submitted by mascelli.andrew on April 22, 2014
Leading Edge Group, Inc. is a San Antonio, Texas based firm that concentrates on the use of compressed soil blocks in military applications including urban training facilities as well as providing force protection in hostile, combat operational environments. The firm also supports humanitarian housing and commercial construction projects in underdeveloped countries around the world.