coffice imagines kaplasky container skyscraper for emergency housing

coffice imagines kaplasky container skyscraper for emergency housing
all images courtesy of coffice

the difficulties of dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters, like the overflow of a river or a flood, has led coffice to propose a solution that takes into consideration the speed of execution and the amount of land used when building shelters. the result is a skyscraper that has as a base element a container. this decision was made thanks to the ease of finding and transporting the modules, and for its assembling properties. the skyscraper called ‘kaplasky’, takes its name from the game kapla that uses the same logic of adding pieces and obtaining different shapes depending on the direction and rotation chosen.

the skyscraper takes its name from kapla, a game that uses the same logic of adding and rotating pieces 

in fact, a simple element like a container is enriched thanks to the addition of others. three different assembling methods are proposed, being the first one being the most rational one suggesting a rectangular plan with a courtyard. the second one is characterized by a vertical development following the geometry of a spiral. finally, the third one is a hybrid among the previous two, introducing a courtyard inside a double-spiral. in all three cases, the different assemblages are embedded in a steel outer structure that provides stability and creates a filter for sunlight and wind.

the widespread of floodings during the recent years led coffice to find a housing solution

the skyscraper thus obtained, could be considered as a vertical field of emergency which houses a community of people that brought together by the same needs generated by a natural disaster, like the necessity of organizing themselves in a short period of time in order to be safe. the project is designed to accommodate private housing and communal spaces like small libraries, play areas for children, and gatherings. the structure at the end of the emergency will remain inserted in the urban landscape and reused.

the most rational one proposes a rectangular plan with courtyard

the second one is characterized by a vertical development following the geometry of a spiral

the third one is like a hybrid among the previous introducing a courtyard inside a double-spiral 

in all the three cases, the different structure of the container is embedded in a steel outer structure

the skyscraper could be considered as a vertical field of emergency which houses a community of people in need

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom