Vesta is a conceptual design for a rapidly deployable refugee shelter.
Structural origami has the potential to both create beautiful, stable, and efficient forms. As part of a capstone studio at Georgia Tech, my team explored the application of this technique to large-scale structures. Our faculty sponsors directed us to explore potential applications in disaster relief.
“The first 24-48 hours after a disaster is when appropriate interventions can have the greatest impact on survival.”
During the research phase, our team gathered information about response times, camp conditions, and existing products. We targeted two areas for improvement - deployment speed and shelter quality.
We created our first concept based on initial research and prototyping. We determined that in many cases entire extended families are displaced by disasters. To this end, we created a design that affords the creation of regions within a disaster camp. This allows aid planners to utilize existing community groups as a way to organize the camp, distribute aid, and identify vulnerable groups.
After our initial concept, our team prototyped and tested various versions of fold. We considered both the aesthetic benefits of designs and the manufacturability of particular construction methods. Working from small to large, we were able to identify the requirements to house 5 people according to the UN standard for refugee housing.
Our final conceptual design features an easy deployment method. The structure behaves like an accordion - simply spreading one section out opens the tent along its length. The shelter is held together in tension by its rain fly, allowing for removal in warm weather to aid ventilation. The interior of the shelter features integrated clips at strong points in the structure. These clips afford the ability to hang local textiles, providing both visible and audible privacy.
Finally, our team constructed and tested a 1/3 scale model of the minimum viable product. Created from PVC panels sandwiched between a tyvek exterior and canvas interior.