deployable emergency module offers protection after natural disasters

deployable emergency module offers protection after natural disasters
all images courtesy of felipe ferrer cárdenas

the student research team at the design studio of the facultad de arquitectura of the pontificia universidad católica del perú has created the ‘deployable emergency module’, built in response to the aftermath of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, etc., that have hit the peruvian coast. the aim of the project was to create a housing structure that could be responsive to the characteristics and peculiarities of a specific climate, transportable, modular, easy to fold and unfold, strong, and resistant.

the project aimed to create a structure responsive to the characteristics and peculiarities of a specific climate 

the result is a self-supporting structure that achieves equilibrium thanks to its radial distribution that restricts movement. each module is composed of a PVC circular base where an aluminum framework is attached and unfolded to turn into a dome-like unit. a second skin is later on added made of a thermal insulation foil, protecting the whole structure of extreme weather. air circulation was also a concern when designing the unit, therefore a controllable aperture can be found of the sides to allow air to come in while an opening was placed on top for warm air to go out.

when built the aluminum framework has a dome-like shape

once unfolded, a skin is added to the aluminum framework

each module has a capacity for eight people

project video containing concept and construction
video © juan pablo calderón

structure study 

thermal study

transportation diagram

content diagram 

assembly diagram 1 

assembly diagram 2 

assembly diagram 3

project info:

teachers: felipe ferrer cárdenas, peter seinfeld balbo
student team: jhonattan díaz gastelo, joselyn salinas colunche, juan pablo calderón cayo, marisol michilot yalán, nadia cabrera salazar, nicole castañeda garcía, pavel rosales espinoza, renato farro rivero, renatto pozo godfrey
location: peruvian coast
construction date: july 2015
state: built prototype
capacity: 8 persons
ensemble time: 4 hours
persons needed to assembly: 4

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