ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. GRID – Emergency Shelter by Carterwilliamson architectsJune 21st, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Carterwilliamson architects GRID- 500 In a world increasingly challenged by man-made and natural disasters, it is now time to consider the development of a sustainable housing prototype, which can be assembled quickly and transported cheaply and easily to diverse and remote locations.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects
 Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID, named after the Norse goddess of peace, was originally conceived as a response to the tsunami in Banda Aceh. The strategy was to devise both an ‘ideal’ and a ‘re-use’ system that could operate interchangeably in all conditions. In disaster zones the materials would comprise objects and materials retrieved from debris. In less compromised circumstances, the shelters, pre-fabricated off-site, can be transported ‘flat-packed’ by road or rail either to remote communities or industrial locations.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects The clean lines and modest materials of GRID belie many sophisticated ideas. Inverted Acrow props, traditionally used for scaffolding are reinvented as its support columns and can be adjusted to suit large variations in devastated terrain. This pre-fabricated ‘Ikea’ concept, based on a 2.4 metre unit system of standard material lengths and truck-load capacity, can be easily transported as a ‘flat-packed’ unit to diverse and remote and inaccessible locations and assembled by four unskilled workers in one day. True to its claims, the prototype, gradually refined over the last seven years, was recently assembled on site in Martin Place for the Sydney Architecture Festival in just three and a half hours.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects This impressive performance is only surpassed by the fact that it can house between eight to ten people, even boasting a mezzanine level for sleeping and privacy. In community contexts, GRID can be arrayed in different configurations to respond to the specific contextual and administrative requirements of family, culture or work.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID also meets the highest efficiency standards and is able to operate using either local municipal services or independently off-grid. This ultra-fit, fully insulated, steel-frame structure utilises photovoltaic cells and a roof-mounted solar hot water system; rainwater tanks collect roof water; and barn-door windows ensure the building is thoroughly ventilated. Sanitary amenities, comprising a composting toilet system and a shower along with gas bottles for cooking, are located on two external perforated metal decks to maintain hygiene and to isolate these activities from living and sleeping areas.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID is soon to find its first new home in regional New South Wales. The sub-zero winter temperatures, extreme summer heat and infamously rugged terrain of Armidale and the New England Tablelands will be a welcome test for this highly adaptable, mobile structure, and one that will ensure the resilience and relevance of its future.’  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID- 200 GRID, a sustainable housing prototype named after the Norse goddess of peace, can be assembled quickly and transported cheaply to diverse and remote locations. GRID was originally conceived as a response to the tsunami in Banda Aceh. The strategy was to devise both an ‘ideal’ and a ‘re-use’ system that could operate interchangeably; in disaster zones the materials would comprise materials retrieved from debris. In less compromised circumstances, the shelters, pre-fabricated off-site, can be transported ‘flatpacked’ by either road or rail to remote communities.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID houses eight to ten people with a mezzanine level for sleeping and privacy. In community contexts, GRID can be configured to respond to the specific contextual and administrative requirements of family, culture or work. GRID is able to operate using either local municipal services or independently off-grid. The ultra-fit, fully insulated, steel-frame structure utilises photovoltaic cells and a roof-mounted solar hot water system; rainwater tanks collect roof water; and barn-door windows ensure the building is thoroughly ventilated. Sanitary amenities, comprising a composting toilet system and a shower along with gas bottles for cooking, are located on two external perforated metal decks.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID- Sustainable 150 GRID is fundamentally grounded in principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability. Environmental sustainability: Grid meets the highest efficiency standards and is able to operate using either local municipal services or independently off-grid. This ultra-fit, fully insulated, steel-frame structure utilises photovoltaic cells and a roof-mounted solar hot water system; rainwater tanks collect roof water; and barn-door windows ensure the building is thoroughly ventilated.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects Sanitary amenities, comprising a composting toilet system and a shower along with gas bottles for cooking, are located on two external decks. Insulation is fully customisable to suit local climatic conditions and the inverted Acrow prop legs touch the ground lightly where ground conditions may already be devastated. Robust steel construction means that when no longer required, GRID can once again be packed down for re-use.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects Social sustainability: GRID has been designed to provide mid to long term accommodation in the event of disaster, facilitating the rebuilding of families and communities. GRID provides shelter and security, lifting people away from the often dangerous or diseased ground plane and provides critical sanitary amenities, maintaining hygiene and isolating these activities from living and sleeping areas. GRID is able to shelter eight to ten people with a mezzanine level for sleeping and privacy and can be arrayed in different configurations to adapt to specific community, family and cultural contexts. GRID has been designed for simple construction and can be built by four unskilled workers in a single day.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects Economic sustainability: GRID is a pre-fabricated ‘Ikea-like’ concept, based on a 2.4 metre unit system of standard material lengths. Standardisation and pre-fabrication keep material wastage and construction costs at an absolute minimum. GRID has been designed ‘flat-packed’ around ideal truck-load capacity for efficient packaging and transport to remote and inaccessible locations.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID- Steel 200 GRID is a pre-fabricated sustainable housing prototype, designed to be sent anywhere in the world in the event of disaster. Steel was the ideal construction material for a project demanding a high degree of material and cost efficiency, strength and durability. Steel facilitates an efficient construction system based on the idea of pre-fabricated ‘Ikea-like’ 2.4 metre standard material lengths and truck-load capacity. GRID can be easily transported as a ‘flat-packed’ unit to diverse and remote locations. Slender steel profiles allow the panels to be carried and assembled by four unskilled workers in one day.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects GRID utilises the strength and beauty of steel – the steel is exposed as structure and finish, used as steel mesh platforms and corrugated external cladding – preventing need for layering materials.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects Slender steel Acrow props traditionally used for scaffolding are reinvented as support columns; adjustable, they suit varied environments. The shelter sits as a raised platform, fostering airflow and providing separation from the ground plane and its associated health hazards. Robust and hygienic, steel construction protects the shelter against biological attack and when no longer required, soft linings can be discarded and GRID can again be packed down for re-use.  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects  Image Courtesy © Carterwilliamson architects
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Categories: Emergency, Shelter, SketchUp, Vectorworks |
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