open source emergency habitat for haiti builds in five hours

open source emergency habitat for haiti builds in five hours
all images courtesy of pieter stoutjesdijk

in response to haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, dutch architect pieter stoutjesdijk has conceived an emergency architectural shelter that can be assembled from a series of parts in a little under five hours time. made entirely from digitally fabricated components, a CNC milling machine laser-cuts the necessary pieces out of fiber board, which can be assembled together without the need for any additional materials like screws and fixtures. this allows for a cost-effective construction, as extra funds are saved by minimizing the equipment used. the open source design can be distributed worldwide in bulk as a digital file, and manufactured quickly and individually. the thesis of the project is rebirth of the industrial revolution: that mass customization, personalization and variety can replace 20th century rigidities of production.

each separate component has been designed with a special joinery, allowing it to perfectly fit to its neighboring piece. the framework, flooring, roof, and walls are all made from individual, interlocking sections, that link together like puzzle pieces. on both an aesthetic and functional level, the design of the habitat has been suited for the climate and conditions of haiti’s tropical temperature. an undulating roof sweeps from one side of the lofty structure to the other, providing overhanging shade for dwellers inside, as well as creating a natural system for collecting and recycling rainwater, while huge ceilings and spacious window frames allow for ventilation and air flow.

every part of the emergency shelter is made from interlocking pieces

a visualization of what the open source habitat might look like with an inhabitant inside

each section has a different kind of interlocking part

a sketch indicates what the final structure would look like

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