Friday, November 29, 2013

$1,000 Foldable Solar Powered House - IS THIS FALSE ADVERTISING?

NOTE: The more I look at this design and the cost, and see that it's really nothing more than a cheap "tent" on a cheap metal pole frame, the more disgusted I am. $1,000.00 and call it "refugee shelter?" You can buy a better tent from any camping outfit and get a better deal and something that actually might make people feel at home instead of in a prison or living in a storage shed. Would I live in this? No, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to either.

And they have the nerve to call it a "solar powered house" when it actually lights one small light bulb. Talk about false advertising! Look at that one tiny window... the whole thing makes me sick. I wouldn't want to live there... why should we subject "poor people" to such indignity? And then act like you are helping to "shelter" human beings who have lost everything? IKEA should be ashamed of itself.

I'm not taking this down because I'm sure people are initially interested in the design as I was, and I will be posting other comments I have received from real architects who care about real disaster housing. In the meantime, please send me anything you find out about this IKEA style design.  I think it stinks.

Everyone is getting into the act now that we have so many "natural" (man-made) disasters.
Greed has once again entered the ring.


_______


Also See IKEA on Inhabit.com:   http://inhabitat.com/ikeas-solar-powered-flat-pack-refugee-shelters-offer-easily-deployable-emergency-housing/ikea-refugee-shelter1/?extend=1

$1000 Foldable Solar Powered House Designed by IKEA To Provide Shelter For Refugees

IKEA has teamed up with UNHCR* to create and provide a solution for refugee housing. A $1000 fold-out house.

*UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency
www.unhcr.org/‎Folding House from IKEA
Folding House from IKEA
Folding House from IKEA
Folding House from IKEA
IKEA Fold Out House



The new IKEA/UNHCR shelters will make their first appearance in Ethiopia next month, where locals will give the solar powered huts a test drive.



More photos and slideshow on their site: http://inhabitat.com/ikeas-solar-powered-flat-pack-refugee-shelters-offer-easily-deployable-emergency-housing/ikea-refugee-shelter1/?extend=1

Now, with IKEA’s help, these displaced citizens will not only have privacy and comfort, but the dignity of having their own place- that can last for three years. The makers of the furnishings in your first “grown up” apartment, IKEA, have turned their easy assembling sensibilities out of the urban apartment and onto the global village.



via: http://inhabitat.com/ikeas-solar-powered-flat-pack-refugee-shelters-offer-easily-deployable-emergency-housing/
via: http://www.ikeafoundation.org/News-Details?NewsID=NEWS-02112012121319
IKEA FOUNDATION http://www.ikeafoundation.org/
via: http://weburbanist.com/2013/10/27/deconstructing-the-1000-ikea-flat-pack-refugee-shelter/
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/photo-gallery-ikea-shelters-for-somali-refugees-fotostrecke-102954-3.html

23 Surprisingly Gorgeous Homes Made From Shipping Containers




Because shipping containers are like Legos for adults. posted on


This is a shipping container. It’s used to transport large amounts of goods on boats and on trains. By itself, it’s pretty boring.

This is a shipping container. It's used to transport large amounts of goods on boats and on trains. By itself, it's pretty boring.

But with a little imagination, the shipping container becomes a cheap, reliable building block that can be used to build chic little getaway homes and castles of majesty alike!

1. Like this adorable guest house:

Like this adorable guest house:

Look at those wood floors. Just look at them.

Look at those wood floors. Just look at them.

There’s even a garden on top!

There's even a garden on top!

2. This bright and modern Redondo Beach home…

This bright and modern Redondo Beach home...

…which is even bigger than you think.

...which is even bigger than you think.

And if it’s a lovely evening, you can lift up the wall and bring the evening to you.

And if it's a lovely evening, you can lift up the wall and bring the evening to you.

3. This amazing New Zealand beach house is like the perfect sun porch during the day…

This amazing New Zealand beach house is like the perfect sun porch during the day...

…and the coziest little party house at night.

...and the coziest little party house at night.

It even has a fireplace!

It even has a fireplace!

4. This shipping container has literally been turned into a treehouse.

This shipping container has literally been turned into a treehouse.

5. This is the woodland cottage of your dreams.

This is the woodland cottage of your dreams.

6. This shipping container house actually has another house built INSIDE it!

This shipping container house actually has another house built INSIDE it!

See?

See?

7. This hobbity home is able to blend into its environment.

This hobbity home is able to blend into its environment.

8. This painted fancy pad by Brazillian Architect Marcio Kogan doesn’t try to hide the containers.

This painted fancy pad by Brazillian Architect Marcio Kogan doesn't try to hide the containers.

Instead, it lets them be the fun little Legos that they are.

Instead, it lets them be the fun little Legos that they are.

9. The Ecopod can be on or off the grid, and is entirely made from recycled materials.

The Ecopod can be on or off the grid, and is entirely made from recycled materials.
Even the floor is made from recycled car tires!

10. The Kalkin House in Vermont knows how to make an entrance.

The Kalkin House in Vermont knows how to make an entrance.

This house doesn’t even make you decide whether you want to be outdoors or in.

This house doesn't even make you decide whether you want to be outdoors or in.

11. This adorable snow fort in Quebec took seven shipping containers to make.

This adorable snow fort in Quebec took seven shipping containers to make.

12. This delightful cabin was the first shipping container home in Colorado.

This delightful cabin was the first shipping container home in Colorado.

13. Would you even guess that the Beach Box, a beach house in the Hamptons, was made from shipping containers?

Would you even guess that the Beach Box, a beach house in the Hamptons, was made from shipping containers?

It makes for instant detailed ceilings!

It makes for instant detailed ceilings!

14. This bright and light little prefab home is like a Barbie Dream House come to life.

This bright and light little prefab home is like a Barbie Dream House come to life.

15. The Manifesto House in Chile was built for only $118,000.

The Manifesto House in Chile was built for only $118,000.
Via mnn.com

That staircase looks almost like it’s floating.

That staircase looks almost like it's floating.

16. This two-story American Dream embraces its shipping container roots, as well.

This two-story American Dream embraces its shipping container roots, as well.
Via tstf.co

17. The Boxcar Child in you wants to live here so badly.

The Boxcar Child in you wants to live here so badly.

18. This Mojave Desert home almost makes you want to live in the Mojave Desert.

This Mojave Desert home almost makes you want to live in the Mojave Desert.

19. This contemporary home was built from only five containers, and while it may seem dark…

This contemporary home was built from only five containers, and while it may seem dark...

…inside it’s all roominess and textures and WINDOWS!

...inside it's all roominess and textures and WINDOWS!

20. This in-your-face Chilean hillside house turns up the drama.

This in-your-face Chilean hillside house turns up the drama.

21. This little cabin is practically a playhouse for adults.

This little cabin is practically a playhouse for adults.

22. This Sri Lankan holiday cabin was built on an army base, and was made from a shipping container and other reclaimed materials, including old weapons boxes and timber from old bunkers.

This Sri Lankan holiday cabin was built on an army base, and was made from a shipping container and other reclaimed materials, including old weapons boxes and timber from old bunkers.

23. This San Jose home has a slanted roof on top to let hot air out and sunlight in.

This San Jose home has a slanted roof on top to let hot air out and sunlight in.

It cost only $40,000 to build.

It cost only $40,000 to build.

But it has million dollar views.

But it has million dollar views.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Bottle School in the Phillipines - How To Build


http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-bottle-schools.html

Bottle Schools



plastic bottle school

Pepsi partnered with the My Shelter foundation to build this school house made of 9,000 plastic bottles in San Pablo, Philippines. Thousands of volunteers recruited by Pepsi -- collected the used bottles, helped to raise awareness of the Philippines classroom shortage and participated in building the structure. Pepsi's clean-up campaign website, sarapmagbago.com and lots more photos here: facebook.com/pepsisarapmagbago
Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales.




plastic bottle school

After the 9,000 bottles were collected each 1.5 and 2-litre bottle was filled with adobe (sand, clay, and water with a bit of straw, twigs or manure thrown in). This machine made the filling much easier. Pic: 1.bp.blogspot.com Video: www.youtube.com




plastic bottle school

The filled bottles set out to dry...




plastic bottle school

The building process begins. Pic: www.micealiling.com




plastic bottle school

String is used to keep the bottles in place as the adobe is being applied.
Pic: www.micealiling.com




plastic bottle school

Ran out of caps...




plastic bottle school

A bit more cement will be applied and smoothed out.
Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales




plastic bottle school

Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales




plastic bottle school

Almost there. The roof is made of compressed tetra packs.
Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales



bottle school

One wall is made of glass bottles.
Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales


plastic bottle school

The inside walls were whitewashed.
Pic: campaignbrief.com www.bottleschoolproject.org



plastic bottle construction

Photo © Kristel Marie Fuentes Gonzales
www.bottleschoolproject.org




On the other side of the planet:



plastic bottle school

In Guatemala, volunteers with the help of the community, build plastic bottle school houses using a construction method pioneered by non-profit Pura Vida. The first plastic bottle school in Guatemala was started by volunteers in the Peace Corps and when they ran out of resources they called on Hug It Forward, an NGO that has now helped build numerous plastic bottle schools accross Guatemala. www.hugitforward.com



plastic bottle school

First, the students and volunteers stuff the plastic bottles with insulating trash. Each student is asked to collect and fill at least 20 bottles. They stuff each bottle with plastic waste, such as styrofoam, snack wrappers and plastic bags - the more compacted, the sturdier the building blocks and the less garbage remaining on the streets. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle construction

Hugitforward builds bottle schools a different way.
www.hugitforward.com




plastic bottle construction

The stuffed bottles are tied with string to keep them in place. Pictured is the 5th Hug it Forward school, under construction in La Cereza, finished July 2010. www.hugitforward.com




plastic bottle construction

Bottles strung to chicken wire on one side. Now the chicken wire will be placed on this side as well. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle school

Students stuff waste plastic in between the bottles. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle construction

The older students are called in for the higher work. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle construction

Applying cement to the inside of the building...
Students help sift the sand, mix and then apply cement that was donated. www.flickr.com



plastic bottle construction

And on the outside... Three layers of cement are applied. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle construction

Neater job = better trowel...
This is the 5th Hug it Forward school, under construction in La Cereza, finished July 2010. www.hugitforward.com




plastic bottle building

This school used metal frames instead of cement posts.
www.hugitforward.com




plastic bottle building

This one with a thatched roof. www.flickr.com




plastic bottle building

The final look - you would never know the main ingredient if they did not leave cutouts... www.flickr.com




plastic bottle construction

A cutout. Just a reminder...
www.hugitforward.com



plastic bottle construction

Outside -- under construction. A bench surrounding a tree. www.flickr.com




Bottle Construction ‘How-to’ By Laura Kutner, Peace Corps/Guatemala
Source: www.peacecorps.gov

1. Make sure your community is involved and that you have a safe/approved location to build.
2. Make sure you have a budget and enough funding.
3. Collect and stuff bottles and gather lots of inorganic trash. Each bottle and all of the stuffing material has to be clean (rinsed in water) and dried. If anything is wet or dirty it will become moldy and start to smell. Organic trash, such as paper, cardboard, dirt, and rocks, cannot be used.
4. Set up a frame, foundation, and roof comprised of either wood, metal or cement columns.
5. Start putting chicken wire on the outside of the frame, then work on the inside in sections, putting in the bottles while you slowly connect the inside layer of chicken wire to the outside, securing the bottles tightly.
6. Continue section by section, until bottles are placed, then stuff all empty leftover spaces with inorganic trash.
7. Test the cement mixture (no limestone) to make sure it sticks. Then start placing the first layer of cement.
8. When this dries, start a second layer.
9. Finish with a third layer then lay the flooring.
10. Inaugurate and celebrate!


Hug it Forward's
"The Bottle School Manual" a step-by-step guide to building a bottle school, complete with pictures and diagrams of each stage of the construction process. www.bottleschools.com


Another organization working with plastic bottles in Latin America: www.longwayhomeinc.org
A plastic bottle latrine with composting toilet: catorcekt.wordpress.com


See IG's Plastic Bottle Homes page as well... inspirationgreen.org/plastic-bottle-homes


Hug It Forward - 3 Months of filming compressed into a 3 minute video. This is a good overview of the hard work, dedication, win-wins, and excitement surrounding Bottle Schools.

Share this page... http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-bottle-schools.ht

See comments and more ideas on InspirationGreen.com


< Previous 1234 Next >
Keyhole Gardens
This sustainable gardening method uses kitchen and garden waste and gray water (or wash water) as food for your vegetables.
Moon Gates
A threshold between worlds, (or garden features).
Dry Stone Walls
Constructed without mortar or cement. The art of the waller.
Wattle Edging
Ancient as gardening. Wattling is fun and attractive.
Wattle Fence
Since Neolithic times we have fenced our sheep and vegetables in this easy to make (albeit time consuming) wooden fence.
Earth Sheltered
The earth-house uses the ground as an insulating blanket that efficiently protects it from temperature extremes, wind, rain and extreme weather events.
Modern Underground
Underground homes with a modern bent. A large thermal mass stabilizes inside temperatures, giving you free heat in the winter, free cooling in the summer.
Pit Greenhouses
For those in northern, high altitude or windy climates who wish to grow their food year round. Take advantage of the insulating properties of the Earth.
Stacking Firewood
Ingenious ways to stack firewood.
Rocket Mass Heaters
The rocket mass heater works on similar properties as a masonry heater. A fast, high heat and oxygen-fed fire burn up the volatile gases and particulates, leaving very little pollution, and turn almost every ounce of wood fuel into energy.
Masonry Wood Cookstoves
Masonry heaters can incorporate cook stoves. And cook stoves can act as masonry heaters for small homes.
Masonry Heaters with Ovens
Bake ovens can be either white (the fire is in another box, usually below the oven) or black (the fire is in the same compartment as the food being cooked).
Masonry Heaters
Heat, not pollution. The cleanest burning wood stoves have been around for centuries, yet have taken a backseat to metal wood stoves and other polluting energy sources for far too long. Time for a revival!
Indoor Pizza Ovens
If you live in a cool climate, you might as well investigate adding a masonry heater along side your pizza oven. Or at least understanding them so that you might take advantage of exhaust heat.
River Rock Fireplaces
Although lots of mass and beautiful, most heat goes straight up the flue. Build a conventional fireplace for beauty alone, build a masonry fireplace for heat.
Container Homes
Somewhere around 30 million steel shipping containers exist today. 8 feet wide by 8.5 feet high, and either 20 or 40 feet long, they have been the globally standardized transportation module since 1956.
Insect Hotels
Call them bug condos, insect hotels, insect habitats, wildlife stacks, insect boxes, insect houses, insect walls, wild bee walls, insect accommodation, wild bee houses, solitary bee walls or wild bienenhaus. Wildlife habitat is rapidly disappearing. Building beneficial insects a special habitat will help your garden and the bugs.
Outdoor Earth Ovens
Examples of pure cob and adobe, and refractory castable cement over bricks.
Outdoor Brick Ovens
Recycle some old bricks...into an oven.
Outdoor Masonry Ovens
Build an outdoor oven with local stone and DIY skills for a few hundred dollars. Or, buy an oven kit and have it veneered for a few thousand.
Showing 1 - 20 of 62 Articles
< Previous 1234 Next >