Abari Transitional Shelter

Product Description

ABARI Transitional Shelter design was created by ABARI in response to the earthquake that affected Nepal in April of 2015. It is provided through a complete open-source guide that aims to promote Owner Driven Reconstruction (ODR), a participatory model that places homeowners at the center of the reconstruction process through decisions on designs, site selection, and materials. The building techniques are tailored to local environments and resilient to environmental hazards. The building of eighteen square meters uses local and salvaged materials and considers local knowledge and technology. The components required are bamboo or wood, CGI sheets, GI wire, nails, sand, and cement aggregate.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$350.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

This product aims to promote "Owner Driven Reconstruction". In Nepal it has been implemented by Abari in partnership with local governments and communities. It was also implemented in partnership with the humanitarian organization Actionaid.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product has been mass produced in regions of Nepal affected by earthquakes in 2015. It has been implemented through partnerships with the local governments, communities, and with the support of humanitarian organizations such as Actionaid. The construction work is done by the inhabitants themselves.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the building guide online from ABARI and construct it using local material and workforce, since it employs a Owner Driven Reconstruction (ODR) provision model. Usually, the product is provided by local governements in partnership with humanitarian organizations.

Distributions to Date Status

The exact number is unknown, however ABARI estimates that more than 2,000 have been implemented in regions of Nepal since 2015.

Unique Design (Yes/No)

Intended number of occupants (#)

5 people

Duration of construction (days)

7 days

Footprint area (m²)

18 m²

Number of storeys

Material composition

Bamboo, wood, nails, CGI Sheets, GI Wires, stone, sand, cement

Flammable flash point temperature (ºC)

Unknown

Thermal insulating capacity (m²*K/W)

The insulation capacity of the shelter can vary since it depends on the material used for the walls and on the CGI (corrugated galvanized iron) roofing manufacturer. Usually, the thermal insulation capacity of CGI is 0.056 (m^2*K/W). However, the most important recommendation is not to use any metals on the south wall for best environmental comfort.

Maximum wind speed (km/h)

Unknown

Structural Occupancy Category

Unknown

Seismic Design Category

The bamboo and wood structures suggested has a medium seismic resistance due its flexibility.

Suitable Climates

Temperate, tropical, arid

Design Specifications

The shelter measures approximately 3.7 x 4.8 m ( ~ 18 m²) and requires mostly local and easily found materials to be built. The foundation is made of stones with cement aggregate. The structure is made of bamboo or wood and assembled with nails or GI wire. The roof is made of corrugated galvanized iron which is nailed to the structure. Wood, bamboo, dried grass or any other available material can be used to build the walls. Specifications advise not to use any metals in the south wall for best environmental comfort.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The building can be maintained by local labor with general construction experience.

Replacement Components

All components can be replaced using local materials.

Lifecycle

The transitional shelter has an expected lifetime of 2 years which is the necessary time to inhabitants built their owns permanent houses. The shelter can also be used for storage.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Low-cost and fast implementation for disaster response.

Vetted Performance Status

None

Safety

Builders should wear appropriate protective equipment such as hardhats, gloves and safety glasses while working to protect against physical injury commonly associated with heavy construction.

Complementary Technical Systems

Electricity, sanitation and water complementary technical system are required.

Academic Research and References

Adhikary, N, 2016, Vernacular architecture in post-earthquake Nepal. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2016.

Compliance with regulations

This design does not specifically comply with any international or country-specific regulations.

Other Information

Abari Report: Rebuilding Nepal with bamboo and earth