An architecture student designs modular flat-pack emergency shelters

Victoria McCartney, an architecture student from the Carleton University in Ottawa has designed Tinderbox wildfire shelter kit as thesis project of her Master’s degree. The idea is to create an easy-to-build and low-cost, semi-permanent accommodation for individuals and families that are evacuated and displaced due to wildfires or other unexpected disasters. Each unit is made from interlocking prefabricated panels that are transported to the site, and they just need to assemble them up which would require one day effort by two adults using minimal tools.

It is a single-floor cabin outfitted with basic furniture, kitchenette, air filter, power supply and other things required for a comfortable stay. There is also a toilet with shower to provide complete facilities to owners inside the living unit. These modular flat pack shelter kits are ideal to provide immediate housing during natural disasters. The estimated cost for a unit that could house a family of four is about US$35,000.

Also Read: Duffy London designs flat pack home for glamping and post-disaster housing

Currently, McCartney is crowd-funding to raise funds for her project. If the fund-raising campaign is successful, she hopes to build a full-scale prototype by April 2018 after which they will be distributed on a rental basis to make them easily accessible to the Canadian families who require them the most.

Via: CBC