Duany Flatpack Prefab Unveiled, 1000 Shelters to be Donated to Haiti

Just after the tragic earthquake in Haiti, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/29/flat-pack-prefabs-could-provide-relief-in-haiti/">we wrote about </a> the plans from renowned Miami architect <a href="http://www.dpz.com">Andres Duany</a> for a temporary flat pack housing system. <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/29/flat-pack-prefabs-could-provide-relief-in-haiti/">The initial design</a> proposed a small cabin style home with a simple frame, netted sides and a supported awning. Over the past month Duany conducted research together with sociologists and anthropologists to refine the design for <strong>1000 of these houses</strong> that will be donated to Haiti by composite panel manufacturer <a href="http://www.innovida.com/haiti_pledge.asp">Innovida</a>.

During his research, Duany says that his team was able to identify four separate classes of Haitians that live in very different ways, and that each home is tailored to their specific needs. To exemplify the model that will be donated, Duany’s revamped design for the since named “Le Cabanon,” home was prototyped and painted a pleasant aqua color for its unveiling last week at a press conference in Miami.

<a href="http://www.innovida.com/haiti_houses.asp">Le Cabanon homes</a> are deceivingly simple structures that can sleep 8 people in an open floor plan with bunk beds. The construction would only take a few days, and <a href="http://www.innovida.com/fcp_performance.asp">initial tests</a> show that the structure is earthquake proof and will withstand 155mph winds.

The one room structure has a faucet that is connected to rain <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/06/26/links-roundup-of-the-week-06-26-09/">water</a> tanks on the roof, so that the tenants would have potable water. However, there is no bathroom, as it is expected that water will not be available in many areas to use for a toilet. The original idea for nets on the building's sides was traded for solid walls that would be assured to withstand the country’s rainy season.

There are several other designs for homes that were shown at the press conference to support Innovida’s proposal to build a factory in Haiti in 2010 near Port-au-Prince. These additional models could be built at that factory, which would employ approximately 1000 people. Some of these larger models that include bathrooms and expanded amenities, could range in cost from $2500 to $10000 to construct. With $15 million in investment capital, the proposed factory should produce 10,000 houses per year. You can see a tour of the homes in a <a href="http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/sports/MI144534/">video from WSNV Miami local news station channel 7</a>.

The key to the success of these structures is the trademarked insulating panel system. Innovida CEO, Cladio Osoria, explained at the press conference that the proprietary panels are not made with traditional <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/materials/">building materials</a> such as wood, steel or concrete, but rather with materials used in the aviation and windmill industries.

They buildings use load bearing <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/10/lets-talk-about-insulation-baby/">insulating panel</a> systems with structural skins made of high-strength E-Glass fiber fabrics impregnated with a fire-resistant polymeric epoxy resin and a core made of a construction foam material and would be good for the conditions in Haiti, because they resist moisture, mold, and insects.

The insulation ratings are equal to the level most people have in residential homes in the United States and range from an R14.6 value for the thinner panels, and up to R23.7 for the 4 inch thick panels. <br> <br> <strong><a href="http://www.innovida.com/">+ Innovida</a></strong> <br> Via <a href="http://www.jetsongreen.com/2010/02/andres-duany-flat-pack-prefabs-haiti.html">Jetson Green</a>

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