With all of the tragic events of the past few weeks here in
Australia and with earthquakes in Haiti and Christchurch, as well
as the raft of displaced people in various parts of the world, we
are often called on to help.
People say 'that would be great for disaster housing' or 'you
should call the UN and get them to buy your kit for such and such a
releif effort'.
In reality, life isn't like that. We always extend the offer of our
expertise to the relevant parties at the time of the disaster. We
have been in contact with the Queensland Premier's office this week
with offers of assistance. But it's not disaster housing that needs
our help, it's the rebuilding of the towns and cities where expert
help is needed. Disaster zones need the kind of tented
accommodation currently being deployed in Condamine, Queensland by
the ADF.
Take Christchurch in New Zealand as an example. Thankfully very
few casualities but hundreds of un-inhabitable dwellings, thousands
of seriously damaged properties - all in need of re-construction.
But that is the point. It's a reconstruction process rather than
delivering spangly new cutting edge building technology.
In Christchurch there is a very specific need though. Householders
are concerned that as their properties are open to the weather, and
possible loss of their personal effects, they want to stay near
their house - something that is almost impossible to do if the town
doesn't have any serviceable accommodation.
Quicksmart were asked to design a livable unit, based on an high
cube 40 foot chassis, that could take at least a 4 person family as
a temporary measure to stand on simple foundations on insurance
claimants front yards or garden whilst then re-built the original
property. The unit is self sufficient in terms of power and has
tanks for grey water, and if required, effluent in the sub floor
voids. The side folds out or can be linked to another identical
module to create an even larger space.
As the infrastructure, such as sewage mains and water supplies
have been damaged, the self reliance of the module was critical and
through our expertise in remote accommodation, coupled with our
designs for compact student living, Quicksmart have designed a stop
gap accommodation unit that can be re-used from stock if required
and are in negotiations to provide the units on a not for profit
basis.
Quicksmart offer their best wishes to everyone effected by the
floods in Queensland and shall be there to help in the weeks and
months to come.