reCover Disaster Shelter by Mathew Malone

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Doug Gunzelmann in Architecture, Concept+Design, Health+Beauty

Quick up, light weight, easily packed, modular shelter for disaster relief made from 100% recyclable Coroplast. Mathew Malone is taking the bull by the horns fresh out of the gate! First year out of Syracuse’s Industrial and Interaction Design Program he already has a blockbuster with his simple accordion shaped emergency shelter intended for medical centers, short term housing, and other relief necessities. The possibilities are endless.

The material is a food grade polypropylene (it is corrugated and something akin to some printed commercial signs) that can be folded into a flat sheet, stacked with hundreds of other for transport, set up by one person, and even zip tied together to make longer or more intricate structures. The material (which may be recycled after its intended use if damaged) is completely non-toxic in terms of leaching and gassing out. This is important for confined living spaces and water safety. In fact, the ridges of the structure allow for water runoff to be collected for use.

The reCover shelter can be secured in place to protect against wind movement and can be covered with local materials or vegetation to provide additional warmth and protection from the elements. The ability to add twists and turns to the structure means you can add walls and some privacy to an abode. Also, the material can be unfolded at the creases into a single sheet that lays flat. This could act as a floor for a overarching structure providing insulation from the earth.

The foresight of Mathew Malone is astounding. We have featured disaster relief housing in the past, namely the Pallet House, but this address a key issue or portability. Also, if used in large quantities during a major catastrophe the ability to recycle the expired units in very appealing. The reCover Shelter is truly a remarkable accomplishment in such a simple design.

disaster relief, mathew malone, recover, shelter