Move Over Shigeru Ban, Here Comes IKEA!
Image courtesy of Ikea
The Swedish furniture company teams with the United Nations to make refugee housing.
The Swedish furniture company has teamed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to roll out flat-packed shelters that can be assembled (like IKEA's furniture) in four hours. At 17.5 square meters (190 square feet), the plastic-walled shelters are considerably larger than the UNCHR's ubiquitous tents, and last 10 times longer—up to 5 years. Additional benefits include solar panels on the roof and an exterior shade that cools during the day and traps the heat at night.
A prototype will be implemented in Ethiopia in July, but at a cost of 10,000 USD the shelter has a way to go to compete with the 500 USD tents. Nevertheless IKEA is aiming for 1,000 USD once in mass production, to offer the UNCHR and refugees a larger and longer-lasting alternative in times of need.