Better Shelter was recently awarded the Beazley Design of the Year for its refugee shelter designed in conjunction with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the IKEA Foundation.
Part of an initiative by the IKEA Foundation back in 2013, the shed-like structure arrives flat packed like much of IKEA’s furniture. It consists of lightweight polymer panels, thermal insulation, lightweight pipers to form the frame and every piece is snapped onto it. The outside is also lined with a material to reflect sunlight, keeping temperatures low during the day. The shelter can be assembled in four hours with a few helping hands. Additionally, solar panels line the roof and a USB port on the inside provides electricity.
The home stands at 17.5 square meters which is twice the size of typical refugee tents, and is designed to hold a family of five. Each shelter has a life expectancy of 3-years compared to the average 6-months of refugee tents. It is estimated to cost 800USD and is being tested in countries in the Middle East.
