Reaction Housing System: A Rapid Response Flat-Pak Emergency Shelter

In the wake of a year fraught with natural disasters, we're at a time where developing effective and efficient emergency relief shelters couldn't be any more critical. Enter the <a href="http://www.reactionhousingsystem.com/" target="_blank">Reaction Housing System</a> - a rapid response emergency shelter that features a sturdy, minimalist design which allows for efficient deployment and quick arrival of safe and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/katrina-recovery-spurs-modular-building/" target="_blank">secure accommodations</a> to areas affected by earthquake, fire, hurricane or other tragedies.

The kit's main component is a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/checkerboard-solar-clad-housing-project-pops-up-in-paris/" target="_blank">housing</a> unit called Exo.

The unit is manufactured in two, easy to assemble pieces that can be fixed as standard living, office, individual, double door, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/worlds-largest-rube-goldberg-machine-breaks-guinness-record-and-waters-plant/" target="_blank">interconnected spaces</a>.

Each Exo sleeps four people on single <a href="http://inhabitat.com/modernist-murphy-beds/modmurphy3/" target="_blank">beds that fold</a> and attach to the wall when not in use.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/portable-power-generator/" target="_blank">Portable power generators</a> supply electricity to the units via magnetic connection clips.

Inside are four outlets to charge cellphones, a weather radio and AC, which provides extra comfort for the homesick.

The Exo's core components <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/flat-pack-prefab/" target="_blank">flat pack</a> for efficient storage and transportation.

Twenty units can be nested on one 53 foot semi-truck trailer or one C-130 hercules (pictured) while 1,940 Exos could be moved across country on a freight train and soon provide housing for 7,760 newly homeless.

The Reaction Housing System is a cost-effective solution at $5,000 per unit. Compare this <a href="http://www.epochhomes.com/search/Emergency.htm" target="_blank">Epoch Homes'</a> $32,000 core model or the sustainable and artistic <a href="http://visualarts.mit.edu/armadillo/" target="_blank">FEMA Trailer project</a>, which requires an investment of $65,000 for a four-person rig.

Transported in two pieces, the base (floor) and upper shell (walls and roof) simply latch together. Four people can move and assemble one shelter in just a few minutes. Tool and heavy-machinery free set-up means that an entire <a href="http://inhabitat.com/increased-intensity-of-hurricanes-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank">climate-controlled</a> camp could be arranged in just a few hours.

Actual layout is flexible enough to meet the demand of local landscape, culture and conditions.

Some site configurations to consider would be standard rows, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/hush-pod-a-cozy-private-retreat-for-public-spaces/" target="_blank">circular pods</a>, and interconnected units.

Pods of Exos could create a sense of community, even in the most dreadful of circumstances.

The brilliance behind the Reaction Shelter System is its situational flexibility and diminutive dimensions.