Global Village Shelters

I want to build these (really, just assemble). Starting at $550.00, flat pack plastic coated cardboard, 2 person setup. Good for 18 months or more. Can be made to last longer. Let's try one out at Life School for starters, and one as a studio / workshop / tool shed on my lots in Panajachel. Pretty great idea. Use four spread apart, with ramada in between, and fountain / pool in central patio. Beautiful! Then produce longer-lasting ones as another business here in Guatemala, in partnership with Global Village? This could help finish the last of the rebuilding after Hurricane Stan and create more classrooms for the schools.

Configurations:

www.gvshelters.com/20m_configurations.htm

The 20 meter shelter can be linked together in many configurations making larger structures immediately possible. The shelter is designed so the doors will line up, still allowing for maximum interior wall space when linked. This is important when creating a facility for medical purposes, security offices, food storage and preparation, staff housing for NGO's, educational buildings, etc. The possibilities are endless. ...(more)

Materials and Design

The design is a simple structure that would give the affected person/ family stability (durability) and safety during a disaster or refugee situation. To accomplish durability, the shelter has a concentric “ring” structure; the units have withstood winds up to 80 mph. The shelter is built out of a very strong 13mm Polypropylene profile sheet (thick UV resistant white plastic, often used in outdoor applications). Materials safety data is available upon request. The material is biologically inert, does not off gas, and can be reground (recycled) throughout the world. All edges are reinforced with polypropylene extrusions to prevent wear in this high traffic area, also adding strength to the door area and other stress points. All shelter components are pre fabricated and installed prior to shipping and packing. Material samples are can be requested by emailing mferrara@ferraradesign.com.

There are no comparable shelters actively on the market. The cost and ease of set up are both significant benefits for GVS as disaster relief housing. GVS allows any person to set up their own housing without much guidance or strength- no tools are required. GVS also offers several comfort factors: a removable acrylic window with a screen, dual locking door system, and optional fire safe stove pipe aperture in the wall. There are several options that can also be added to the GVS, such as various flooring solutions (including, but not limited to tarps, plywood/ foam, elevated flooring). The cross ventilation creates a temperature equilibrium with the outdoor temps in warm climates- it will not get warmer than the outside temperature.

Duration

The shelter will last 18 months or more. It is possible to extend this time period by using the walls as a footprint on which to build either with brick, mud, hay-bale materials, wood, corrugated tin, et al and providing a more substantial floor (not a tarp); basic maintenance like this can greatly extend its life. We recommend putting shelter units on raised platforms, creating a stable (you can screw the unit onto the platform) and level floor.

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Global Village Shelters LLC
221 Looking Glass Hill Morris, CT 06763 USA
email for information and inquiries: mferrara@ferraradesign.com
telephone: 860.567.4118 fax: 860.567.4265

Global Village Shelters LLC is a for-profit company based in Litchfield County Connecticut, USA. It is co-owned by father-daughter team Daniel A Ferrara and Mia Ferrara Pelosi.