NYC architects bringing octagonal shelters to Haiti for residents displaced by earthquake
By APSaturday, June 5, 2010
NYC team bringing transitional shelters to Haiti
NEW YORK — Haiti’s homeless are getting extra help as the hurricane season nears.
A team of New York architects is flying to Haiti next week with a new prototype of temporary shelters to help some of the up to 1.5 million who were left homeless by the Jan. 12 earthquake.
The octagon-shaped shelters will be made from aluminum and steel. They are 166 square feet and weigh about 400 pounds.
The first structure will be built in southern Haiti. Twenty units will be made next month as part of the project, called HaitiSOFTHOUSE.
Architect Rodney Leon says permanent homes for displaced Haitians may be a long time coming. These homes can be mass produced for less than $3,000 apiece.
Deutsche Bank provided a $50,000 challenge grant for the project.
Online:
HaitiSOFTHOUSE, haitisofthouse.org/
