Discussion of Relief Shelter Solutions by BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 07:45:21 UTC

Let's talk about the relief shelters in the videos

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 07:53:37 UTC

The first video introduces the shelterBox. ShelterBox is an international aid organisation

that provide shelter and life saving equipments.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:03:49 UTC

Shelterbox is an efficient solution since it instantly responds to earthquake, vocalnos, floods, huricane and tsunami.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:03:57 UTC

The good thing about the shelterbox is that it provides you with essential supplies to get a family through the aftermath of a disaster.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:06:33 UTC

However it is inconvenient especially finding a way to send the shelterbox to the victims since the bridge and road are destroyed due to flood.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:09:02 UTC

But inside the box it supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and life saving equipments including waterproof ground mats, stove and cooking equipment, stove fuel, warm hats & gloves, mosquito nets, tool kit, tent, sleeping bag and etc.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:09:26 UTC

Yes, Sin Chong Huat I agree to your opinion up to a point. But, during flood, I think it is quite difficult for the victims to find a place to build the camp and places or resources for them to cook.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:09:41 UTC

I agree with Mooi Khee, since the box is made entirely out of plastic, it should not be able to withstand a full force if dropped from a helicopter, making it all the more impractical

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:11:35 UTC

It is potentially convenient only if families each have a shelterbox in their homes

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:12:46 UTC

How about the emergency shelters made from paper? I think it is an ecological and environmental friendly solution, since it use the paper tubes as building structure.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:13:27 UTC

yes, emergency paper-based shelters are a better option if compared to the shelterbox; however, it is only temporary. Of course the churches made may have lasted for years, but it might be just another accident waiting to happen. it

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:14:37 UTC

Yes, the paper based shelters also more environmental friendly.

Kai Shyan, the building not only temporary, it actually can be made as permanent building as Shigeru Ban mentioned in the talk.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:15:00 UTC

According to the architect Shigeru Ban, it is waterproof, also possible to fireproof due to its industrial material. I think it can last for years.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:16:42 UTC

if made into a permanent building, it not only takes up space and as we all know, fire and paper don't work well with each other, a small fire can prove catastrophic to the building and its residents

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:17:48 UTC

No matter how, paper based shelter takes longer time to build. In that period of time, victims maybe can stay in the temporary camp build using the equipment in shelterbox.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:17:54 UTC

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:17:56 UTC

Don't you think that it is very useful that the building is made out of paper. According to Shigeru Ban, "In case you are finished with toilet paper, you can tear off inside of the wall". He made a joke during his forum.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:19:29 UTC

another problem of the paper-based shelter is it's size limit, its size can only fall within a range, build it too small and it is inefficient, build it too big, the paper will not hold it's own weight, since everything is subjected to the square-cube law (perfectly illustrated in the following video from 2.18-2.46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cesaPTik_Q)

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:19:56 UTC

Kai Shyan, hopefully the toilet won't collapse due to the "tearing".

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:20:45 UTC

However, the paper shelter use recycled paper tubes, it is so strong but is so cheap, according to Shigeru Ban, he says that "my budget is only 50 US dollars per unit". It is possible a cost saving solution.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:23:22 UTC

I am totally agree with you, Sin Chong Huat.

Paper-based shelter has advantages from different perspective especially economically, environmentally and so on.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:23:29 UTC

the cost for the paper-based shelter might be low, but the man-power needed for it is something to be reckoned with. a large number of volunteers will be needed if such shelter is to be builded

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:25:41 UTC

The videos also proposed another solution, which is make a house with pallets, how about this solution?

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:25:52 UTC

In my opinion, house built using pallets is better compared to paper based shelter. This is because the pallets house can be built in one day using only some basic tools. Besides, the modular design offers flexibility in terms of configuration.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:26:53 UTC

Now that you mention the house build by pallets, the paper-based emergency shelter suddenly seems more reliable

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:28:28 UTC

Of course, the pallets is made of wood and may be stronger than paper; nonetheless, pallets shown in the video is too perfect, usually pallets are made of scrap woods from the furniture industry, many of the woods are irregular and not made according to a specific dimension.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:28:41 UTC

Making a house with pallets, in fact the process is too long even though it is strong than paper tubes, is it suitable after a disaster?

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:32:23 UTC

I think the pallets house is not an architectural project, it is not calculated by a structures specialist or an engineer, hence it can be dangerous, i mean the house may collapse

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:33:04 UTC

The flaw of the pallet house is really with the material used, woods from the pallets have never been sanded and can easily harm someone building it and in a disaster, a wound is the last thing you will want to have.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:34:19 UTC

Sin, house built with pallets is actually an architectural work. It is actually a project by i-Beam Designs. According to information I get from internet, the architects at i-Beam Designs have decided to release their plans to the general public via their website. For $75, they offer all the information for building your own pallet home: pdf plans, sections, elevations, photos, diagrams, renderings and a materials & tools list.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:37:06 UTC

Shedpack is an easy fabrication kit. It enable unskilled people pre-fabricated it in a short time.

Bk 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:37:28 UTC

Seems like we all have different opinion regarding the effectiveness of house built with pallets. How about we discuss about shedpack?

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:39:51 UTC

Sure, shedpack seems like a very good idea, it small, effective and efficient, providing us with as much protection as it could and every adult can carry their own weight since it is made to shape like a backpack, increasing it's level of convenience and aesthetics

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:40:57 UTC

Also, it can be stored with minimum space requirements. And with the smaller size it can be distributed as soon as possible.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:41:06 UTC

I am sorry I dont agree that shedpack is a good idea. The victims not only include adults, there are children also involves in flood. In my opinion, children are unable to carry the shedpack which is so heavy.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:43:30 UTC

However, the shedpack is design for an adult and a child needs less supplies in terms of sustenance and space for shelter; therefore, maybe a smaller shedpack or an adult-child combined shedpack can be designed

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:44:53 UTC

However, Shedpack has an big advantage, it is an easy and low cost production solution, we can mass produce it.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:46:29 UTC

Good point, Sin.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:47:26 UTC

According to Shedpack company, it says Shedpack is "transportation(easy folding & high

stability), shelter (single person micro shelter), medical aid (antibiotics, emergency blanket) and information(spreading vital information) all in one", it seems like a very good emergency kit.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:48:52 UTC

Alright, now I understand why shedpack is better.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:50:07 UTC

How about the shipping container? I think it is suitable for families, but it is too bulky.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:50:50 UTC

the good thing about the shipping container shelter is that it packs everything an emergency shelter needs, but it is less convenient where places lacking flat ground.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:51:52 UTC

I am agree with your opinion Kai Shyan, however, the container is so big that made the shipping and delivery to the location harder. On top of that, it needed a flat surface to place the container in order to make sure the safety.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:54:02 UTC

What about the bamboo shelter? it seems rudimentary and simple.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:54:14 UTC

Also, in the video, upstairs seems like unnecessary, lots of benches, only the water tank seems necessary.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:55:53 UTC

Bamboo shelter is more eco friendly compared to the house with pallets we discussed before.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:57:19 UTC

Yes, bamboo is much lighter and ductile.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAt

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:57:23 UTC

Indeed the bamboo huts is eco-friendly and a low cost building. And according to the video it says it is waterproof by using a clear coat resin.

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 08:57:56 UTC

Bamboo shelter has so many advantages yet how are we going to find so many bamboo during disaster?

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 08:59:39 UTC

The person in the video suggests that bamboo is easily accessible and easy to grow; nevertheless, bamboo plants can easily be destroyed in floods or earthquakes, so to make a bamboo shelter, the raw material will need to be brought in from other places, making the building process less efficient.

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 08:59:56 UTC

Bamboos grow everywhere, bamboo huts take 6 hours to build, it may takes some time but it is stronger than tents.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 09:03:03 UTC

it can be build in 6 hours, only if enough man power is supplied, and in a disaster situation, man power might be scarce

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 09:04:34 UTC

BK14110220 SIN CHONG HUAT

stanley6223 — 2015-04-13 09:04:37 UTC

So in your opinion the smaller kit like ShelterBox and Shedpack seems better than the bulky container and bamboo huts?

BK 14110238 TEOH MOOI KHEE

mkhee94 — 2015-04-13 09:05:28 UTC

In my opinion, ShelterBox is better compared to others solutions for a short period of time. In long term, I prefer paper based shelter designed by Shigeru Ban because it is not only temporary building but also can be made as permanent home for the victims.

BK14110086 Chee Kai Shyan

xansyh — 2015-04-13 09:07:30 UTC

Yeah, solutions involving small equipment seems like a more viable solution, I totally agree with the both of you