Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a temporary emergency shelter solution that alleviates the immediate need to provide safety and security for survivors of natural disasters. It may also provide temporarily shelter for those made homeless by armed conflict.
The overarching goal of Sanctuary is to create a sense of order out of chaos and normalcy out of unpredictability. When Sanctuary is fully deployed in an environment, it creates a natural collection of groups by simple virtue of the fact that its friendly rotund shape promotes interaction and fosters an outwardly attitude in the collective conscience.
Sanctuary is created with DuPont Tyvek – a material that is lightweight, moisture-repelling, resistant to tears and chemicals, flexible, recyclable, and resistant to blood and water-borne microbes. Furthermore, the shell is made of a dual layer of this material to increase its durability and insulation qualities and compensate for fluctuations in temperature. The structure is made with a biodegradable potato starch wireframe, which automatically springs to shape from its flat, compressed state.
The floor of the shelter is reinforced with an environmentally friendly, biodegradable, water-repellent coating that is protective for up to 20cm above ground height. The top surface of Sanctuary is coated with highly reflective 3M paint for visibility in low light conditions. This allows rescuers to easily detect survivors from rescue planes and helicopters.
Due to the sheer nature of its circular shape and human-friendly scale, Sanctuary is highly mobile; a simple roll can transfer it to its appropriate location. Sanctuary is stable and secure by way of underside flaps, which can be filled with rocks and debris to easily secure the shelter from strong winds or inclement weather.
Included underneath the floor are basic supplies to help keep survivors comfortable and as dry as possible in such dire situations: a first-aid kit for minor wounds; purified water for drinking and rinsing wounds; towels for keeping dry; sandals for barefoot survivors; blankets for warmth; and nutrient bars for basic sustenance.

 

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