MESH
Major Emergency Sustainable Housing

The average lifespan of a refugee camp is SEVEN years, with some existing for over fifty. (Kennedy, 2005)

Rapid Deployment and Longevity: The MESH is an emergency shelter solution designed for long-term usage. The main structure of the unit is gabion-walled, distributed flat-pack and equipped with a waterproof membrane which immediately seals the shelter in order for habitation.

Sustainable Materials: Over time, the user must fill the cavity between the interior and exterior wall of the MESH with rubble and waste products created by the disaster. This increases the structural integrity and longevity of the product.

Meeting the User’s Needs, Both Physiological and Psychological: Refugee camp environments cultivate depression, lethargy and loss of identity; the user must employ creativity, proactivity and independence whilst interacting with the MESH. Irregularity in building materials ensures every home is aesthetically unique.

The design of MESH is driven by the needs of the user, environmental considerations and the necessity to keep costs as low as possible.