House in a Box

BFI entry

REGNA - Rainwater Harvesting and Purification System

Project Type:

industrial/product design

Project Mission/Goal:
respond to our growing need for clean water, power, shelter, healthcare, education

Project Description:

Function

REGNA, a rainwater harvesting and purification system, which meets the demand for the collection, purification and storage of water from natural sources such as rain or snow. The system is used to harvest rainwater for both potable and non-potable uses. The design incorporates the catchment, conveyance, storage, purification, and distribution of rainwater. The product solution also addresses sustainable water needs for irrigation or industrial use.

http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/dlygad2_regna

Sustainable sanitation for emergencies and reconstruction situations

sponsored by the sustainable sanitation alliance

http://postconflict.unep.ch/humanitarianaction/documents/02_11-07.pdf

The Clean Hub

The Clean Hub is a portable, self sustaining source for clean water, electricity and sanitation. Designed within an intermodal shipping container, the Clean Hub can be fabricated, shipped and deployed anywhere in the world in a matter of days. In keeping with all policies, it can be deemed portable, but since it is self sustaining, it can function in one place for as long as necessary with minimal maintenance. The Clean Hub uses a photovoltaic array with battery storage, a 4,400 gallon water reservoir, a rainwater catchment system, ceramic and reverse osmosis filtration, and composting toilets.


John Dwyer, adjunct professor and partner with Shelter Architecture


http://inhabitat.com/prefab-friday-clean-hub/
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/node/456

The Sphere Handbook

What is Sphere? Launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, The Sphere Project is an initiative to define and uphold the standards by which the global community responds to the plight of people affected by disasters, principally through a set of guidelines that are set out in the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (commonly referred to as the Sphere Handbook). Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that those affected by disaster or conflict have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to protection and assistance, and second, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of disaster and conflict. Sphere is three things; a handbook, a broad process of collaboration, and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability. The Sphere Handbook The Sphere Handbook – Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards for Disaster Response – was developed as, and remains, the key tool of the Project. The cornerstone of the book is the Humanitarian Charter, which describes the core principles that govern humanitarian action, and asserts the right of populations to protection and assistance. The minimum standards and indicators that follow are not exclusive to Sphere. They are a compilation of best practice in the sector and a practical expression of these core principles.

download:
http://www.sphereproject.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,17/Itemid,203/lang,english/

download features info on water, sanitation, and food management

SuSanA - fact sheet

This factsheet deals with the planning of sustainable sanitation for emergencies and reconstruction situations in low and middle income countries.

sponsored by Sustainable Sanitation Alliance

http://postconflict.unep.ch/humanitarianaction/documents/02_11-07.pdf

Mass Sanitation Module_Red Cross

Rapid Latrine Concept 

Design principles:
1. Easy ACT (Assemble, Clean & Transport)
2. Rapid Assemble
3. Light weight
4. Durable for 3-6 months & Stable
5. Cheap

Rapid latrine models
1. Corrugated plastic
2. Plywood
3. Foam board


http://www.iwahq.org/MainWebSite/Resources/Document/Emergency%20Sanitation%20Workshop%20-%20Red%20cross.pdf

Emergency Response Planning for Military Water Systems

Prepared by U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/TG%20297%20(Emergency%20Response%20Planning%20for%20Military%20Water%20Systems).pdf

German Red Cross rapid and temporary Emergency Sanitation Solutions

Provides examples of on-site emergency latrines.

http://www.borda-net.org/fileadmin/borda-net/Knowledge/Workshops/5_BNS_Workshop/05_hensen_drk.pdf

WATERCONE

The Watercone is a solar powered water desalinator that generates fresh water from salty or brackish water. It is easy to use, lightweight and mobile. The technology is simple in design and use and is described by simple pictograms. With up to 1.5 liters in 24 hours the Watercone® is an ideal device to create a child`s daily need of freshwater. 

http://www.thewatercone.com/Index.html

Hydroleaf

The Hydroleaf is an excellent design that is a bus shelter, street light,  rain catchment system – and water dispenser. Conceived by Iranian Industrial Design student Mostafa Bonakdar the Hydroleaf is intended to be used in developing arid regions.

The principle of the concept is as sound as it is practical. We’ve seen solar-powered area lighting for years, so why not use photovoltaic panels as a small canopy that powers LED lights below to light up the space at night.

The solar panel canopy also collects rain water like a leaf and gathers it in a tank embedded in the pole. A filter cleans the water and offers it in a dispenser at the base of the pole. We see a little red and blue button at the dispenser, so perhaps you can make some hot tea while you wait for the next bus (how the water is heated is, of course, another question). The design is certainly unique and is scalable to boot — larger versions could provide supplemental shelter, lighting, and drinking water for towns and perhaps even cities.

http://www.design4disaster.org/2011/02/23/light-and-water-from-the-sun/

Solar and Wind Power Water Purification and Desalination System

Swiss-based company TRUNZ WATER SYSTEMS has developed and manufactures and distributes a sustainable and cost-effective solution for water purification and desalination: a complete and ready-to-operate unit which is mobile and independent – thanks to renewable energy.


http://www.design4disaster.org/2011/04/04/solar-and-wind-power-water-purification-and-desalination-system/

Cleanwaste Products

When disaster strikes and bathroom facilities are out of reach or simply non-functional, Cleanwaste is there, keeping people safe. Proud supplier to FEMA, and other emergency disaster relief organizations around the world, Cleanwaste products prevent the spread of disease and protect human dignity with a full line of portable, safe and sanitary human waste management solutions. 

http://www.cleanwaste.com/markets/emergency-disaster-relief

Environmental Health Emergency Response Guide

General guide to disaster relief techniques. No solutions.

Sponsorship and Development: The Environmental Health Emergency Preparedness Guide was developed by the Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center.

Project Lead:
Brian R. Golob, CHMM, REHS, Environmental Health, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/apc/prof/planning/erguide.pdf

BiebBus: Dutch Children's Library

Conceived to help support local Dutch schools that lack the funds or space for a library, the BiebBus can pull in, pop up, and let kids participate in a parable or two. The design is also a lot of fun -- with a transparent floor, cool lights, and huge portals for kids to see out, the BiebBus makes kids excited to grab a book, kick back, and explore the written word.

http://inhabitat.com/reused-container-becomes-dutch-childrens-library-pop-up-parable/

Rensselaer Polytechnic Medical Facility

Contained Mobility_Chrissie Beavis

Chrissie Beavis was a student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. She constructed a prototype for a container dwelling as part of her BA of Architecture. 

http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbay/058containerprotochrissiebeavis/058home.htm

Shipping Container Emergency Shelters_Worcester Polytechnic Institute

By: Mark Brodaski  Ralph Campanelli  Kevin Zabinski  Approved by Project Advisor: Roberto Pietroforte

AMAZING research source

http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-030310-115045/unrestricted/RP-0109_-_Final.pdf

The Mobile Power Station™ (MPS)

The MPS is a complete power station in a standard shipping container. It can be  transported by truck, train, ship or plane. At the site, you can deploy solar panels or  wind turbines in just a few hours for self-generated power. Or,  use diesel, propane, natural gas or gasoline-powered generators.  The interior of the MPS can be used for air-conditioned office  space, telecommunications,medical center, emergency operations/command center or storage.

http://www.skybuilt.com/news/pdfs_products/SkyBuilt_SkyStation.pdf

Shipping Container Details PDF

not fun, but necessary

http://www.shipgsc.com/images/resources.pdf

Haiti Emergency Building Program_BoxWorks, Inc.

A non-profit organization called BoxWorks, Inc. is using shipping containers to build schools, community buildings and houses throughout the developing countries. Abandoned containers are readily available all over the world. They can be purchased inexpensively and hauled to the desired location via local trucks or railroad. Native workers can use simple tools readily available to punch out doors, windows and walls, combine several containers into one or more rooms, roof with recycled sheet metal or other material, and complete the building with time and cost required. 

Keg Apartments_Aristide Antonas

"while transforming shipping containers into livable structures is now common, aristide antonas imagines
doing the same with liquid containers. antonas and collaborator katerina koutsogianni use existing 
transportation and re-imagine this would-be trash as a system of 'abandoned spaces'. the keg apartments 
are proposed as an architectural program in two versions. the trailers can be detached from the car and 
used as a stable residence or left attached and used more like mobile home. windows would be carved out
of the metal structures and used as points of entry. a large circular window cold be made at the front end 
facing the car. this way, the inhabitants could move freely between the two units as if they were one. 
the interiors are left very raw using the existing structure to anchor lofts and amenities like a bathtub. 
while the keg containers don't have the most spacious interiors, they could be put to use as vacation 
homes, much like recreation vehicles today."


http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/9569/aristide-antonas-keg-apartments.html

Project Blackbox

Project Blackbox is a prototype of the world's first virtualized datacenter--built into a shipping container and optimized to deliver extreme energy, space, and performance efficiencies.

Designed to address the needs of customers who are running out of space, power and cooling, Project Blackbox gives customers a glimpse into the fast, cost-effective datacenter deployments coming in the near future--where thinking out of the box means putting an IT infrastructure in a box.


http://www.sun.com/emrkt/blackbox/story.jsp

Push Button House 1_Adam Kalkin

This repurposed shipping container, though not viable as a home, utilizes hydraulic power to open up space.

http://swipelife.com/2009/05/13/push-button-house-by-adam-kalkin/

Cargoshell

Cargoshell – the innovative and sustainable new container concept

Whilst retaining the successful qualities of the current container, Cargoshell offers several innovations. In the forefront of these is the considerable CO2 reduction that will be realised by replacing the current container worldwide with Cargoshell. As Cargoshell is made of fibre reinforced composite the new container is a lot lighter than the present steel container. A second major innovation is that Cargoshell is collapsible. Steel containers occupy just as much space whether they are empty or full. An empty folded Cargoshell occupies only a quarter of the original volume. Saving weight and space reduces operating costs, which also makes Cargoshell attractive from a business economic viewpoint. A track and trace system ensures that every container can be traced; wherever in the world it is located.

http://www.cargoshell.com/index.php

SEED relief in Haiti

SEED_Haiti is an environmental and humanitarian solution for providing relief housing with the adaptive reuse of surplus ISO shipping containers which in time turn into permanent homes. This solution uses the many shipping containers that are already in Haiti and the large number of shipping containers that are being sent to Haiti with relief supplies. In the coming months, there will be thousands of containers arriving to Haiti. SEED_Haiti is working on a strong incentive package to get this surplus of containers donated from the shipping industry for homes in Haiti rather than storing them or transporting them empty.

Collaborative team: Clemson University Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Tri-County Technical College Department of Welding, Container-It, Intermodal Steel Building Units Association, Sargent Metals

About SEED: http://www.cusa-dds.net/seed/?page_id=2

About SEEDHaiti: http://www.seed-haiti.net/

GREAT research: http://issuu.com/seed_housing_clemson/docs/seed_research_book

Container Cities_Urban Space Management (USM)

Excerpt from History Channel's Modern Marvels: 

By recycling multiple shipping containers, USM creates large living spaces that are large and comfortable.

Also reference: http://www.containercity.com/home.html

Pop-Up Party House

http://www.boxmanstudios.com/

Party-ready in 20 minutes.

Oceanscope observatory _ AnL studio

Architecture+Interior Designers, AnL Studio(Keehyun Ahn & Minsoo Lee) have designed a public observatory deck, called Oceanscope, in Incheon, Korea made of recycled materials, including old shipping containers.

http://www.archdaily.com/53840/oceanscope-anl-studio/