LEVO by MacaValenzuela from chile
designer's own words:
LEVO
OVERVIEW / is a self-inflating, sustainable and transportable temporary emergency shelter system.
It aims to improve the quality of life in emergencies, since there are no efficient solutions to social needs in emergencies and disasters.
Senses / The senses are intrinsic to life since they allow us to perceive the world. Taking this theme as purpose and considering the senses of seeing, hearing, feeingl, smelling and tasting, we are open to a wide range of possibilities.
Going through a disaster situation, whatever their scale, puts all our senses in alert. That is the moment in which life itself takes on its true value. Alerting our senses and our intelligence becomes the bond of hope that we cling to life. A white ball, warm and soft embraces us, giving us the peace of mind and feeling safe. Time is running out, the rapid assembly calms anxieties, fears and when we think we have lost everything, rises LEVO: white, stunning, the sound of air inflating it's walls serene us, it’s inside shelters us, it’s resistance will provide us with security. Then with joy we re-value life to begin again and continue.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION / The fabric used has waterproof, tear resistant and flame retardant properties. It's modeled by thermoforming and joined by heat sealing. It has a self-inflating system that allows you to mount in 15 minutes and for the installation of the complements another 45 minutes, with only four people. With the same self-inflating system another strap can be operated without leaving the inside of the shelter, which operates the inflated pontoon keel, allowing you to float safely in the event of flooding.
The characteristics of textile strength, its ergonomic design, high impermeability and heat sealing makes it extremely resistant to heavy rain, wind and waves.
INSULATION AND VENTILATION / The geometry, design and technology of the inflatable shelter optimally solve the problem of isolation, simply through the same air contained between two layers of insulating structure acting as both thermal and acoustic chamber. This property combined with good cross ventilation, offers a warm interior in the winter and cool in the summer. This prevents influenza illness and since it has a private sanitary unit, minimizes the contagion of infectious diseases, which generates great health expenditures decreases for governments in emergency cases.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY / It has photovoltaic laminates on the dome for the absorption of solar energy, feeding a battery which in turn provides illumination and charges multiple devices such as cell phones, gps, portable heaters or coolers, etc.
SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY / It has a system for collecting rain water through a common tank every three units and their distribution by simple plumbing installation. A water heater made of recycled pet bottles provides hot water by reaching hot temperatures due to solar incidence.
EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE / A modular mezzanine with access covers can hold the belongings of residents and the interior equipment (bed mattresses, stools, inflatable tables) using the portable inflator foot, built-in to the shelter.
REUSE AND RECYCLING / This shelter is above all things reusable, for example, a family uses it today, another tomorrow and so on, to meet a lifespan of 20 years. Once this period is completed, you can derive two alternatives for recycling. First, enter a process of separating the PVC content in the fibers and thus both components are reused. Second, use the product to manufacture fabric accessories products like awnings, canopies, covers-cars, etc.
ASSEMBLY / The same self-inflating technology (developed in regulatory liferafts) and the simplicity of their easy to assemble complements plus using an instruction manual allow anyone to install this.
TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE / Each Levo module is stored, stacked and transported in its recycled pvc packaging, composed of two suitcases with retractable wheels for easy movement. The upper pouch (with complementary materials) is attached to the bottom (folded inflatables), by means of sockets and fastening straps.
ALTERNATIVE USES / It's adaptable to other uses such as events, expeditions, exhibitions, hospitals, research and various domestic uses.
PACKAGING / Depending on the product, there are two types of packaging: Full Levo and BASIC Levo.
Patent / Invention Patent No. 20120103270 Act (pending)
Industrial Model: No. 84618 (Granted)
Levo is a temporary shelter for emergencies. It’s self-inflating, sustainable and transportable. Each Levo module is stored, stacked and transported in its recycled pvc packaging, composed of two suitcases with retractable wheels for easy movement. 
By three units Levo modulation allows the uptake of community water is generated. Thanks to the restraint system, Levo can be installed in any context.
Levo can generate different communities near the areas of disasters.
A modular mezzanine with access covers can hold the belongings of residents and the interior equipment. . With the same self-inflating system another strap can be operated without leaving the inside of the shelter, which operates the inflated pontoon keel, allowing you to float safely in the event of flooding.
Due to its ability to float, i t’s adaptable to other uses such as events, expeditions, exhibitions, hospitals, research and various domestic uses.
Levo is a housing unit that has united an independent sanitary unit. The two consist of basic furniture for a temporary stay.