Hexagons - not domes

Hexagons are good because bees use them to make honeycomb. However we haven't seen many vernacular houses which are hexagonal. There is also a video here.

Some odd designs from theguardian newspaper...

By popular request, we include this article from the guardian newspaper. This article "Humanitarian intent: Urgent Architecture from ecohomes to shelters – in pictures" highlights some designs.

The Reaction Housing System has not been used in an emergency, but the designers say the shelters could be used in 10 or more types of emergency. they are not cheap at an estimated US$5,000.

This wheely good idea is actually designed for homeless people and not emergencies - so maybe a bit unfair to include here...

Structural system = Skyhooks?

not sure about how this one stays up or how they chose this particular structural system - but it might have issues if an engineer had a look..

Another dome...

"Inspired by the Dymaxion vision of TH hero Bucky Fuller"....

bunkers on legs

safe bunkers

lego shelters

lego shelters - The idea is that these bulky plastic bricks are delivered, and contain a dose of food and water.

Paper / Cardboard shelters

Tried and failed to take off as a post disaster shelter in Rwanda (UNHCR 1999), Turkey (2000), Bhuj, India (2001) and Haiti (2010) - largely due to the fact that cardboard needed to be brought in to the affected areas. See http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com for more.

Concrete canvas - not for airfreight

These shelters have had a lot of media coverage - but the weight (2MT) and water requirements (nearly 1MT) of these 25m2 structures makes them impractical for most humanitarian operations. Maybe ok for militaries who have much higher transportation budgets.

sewage pipe shelter and floating shelter

Another great idea for haiti - put families out to sea or use sewage pipes for shelters...
More on this idea can be found here:

Rebuild Haiti in 5 days

Lovely graphic - if only it were that simple. These prefabricated shelters only cost upwards from $14,000 (excluding transport) - it would be good to see what you could build with that money using traditional / normal materials...

Domes again...

Domes. All they need is a cover - that will be made from recycled theatre sets. The designers optimistically say that once they have built it and then imported it, each 21m2 dome will shelter up to 20 children...

Estate agent's signboard or shelter?

A bargain at $2500!!!! 36 can of these fit in a container...

Foam house

Made from foam, a bargain at $7,950.00...

Tardis?

8ft x 8ft box with no foundations...

shelters-from-sexual-violence

Fantastic sales pitch from a supplier (angling for money) - protection from SGBV will take more than a lockable door:

"The only solution is affordable mass shelter in which doors can be locked
at night to keep out rapists.... easy to construct shelters-from-sexual-violence ($4000 per family unit), which can be shipped to Haiti in crates and erected by just two people.
If you can find the funds for us to manufacture them, we will do so as fast as humanly possible and arrange for the US military of DHL to fly them to Haiti."

Winning site plan

This combines alien pods with an astounding site plan that has not taken into account any site conditions.

Stunning photoshop shelter

Winning photoshop skills! If only there were the space in Port au Prince.

Shrink wrap shelter

Yes shrink wrap!!
From the supplier: "We did it after the 1988 Armenia earthquake, we can do it in Haiti."

Garage for your porsche

This pricey shelter was promoted for the response to the Haiti earthquake. Conveniently it is delivered in one handy box. The weight is not quoted but certainly not for carrying on a donkey or in the back of a Porsche.

plastic frame shelter

The detailing on this plastic shelter is shocking. I doubt that it has been built. The website encourages viewers to donate money to develop this design further! The website also lists a lot of organisations to imply credibility of the design.