and disposable, giving them the characteristic of being temporary. They are quickly and cheaply built, and just as quickly dismantled and disposed when the emergency condition ends. However, the reality is that emergency housing is often not temporary. From the informal developments of Caracas, Venezuela growing since1958, to the Burmese political refugee camps developed since the 1980s, to the temporary facilities for internally displaced communities awaiting government housing in Johannesburg occupied since 1994, to the notorious trailer parks provided by the FEMA to Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005, millions of people globally are inhabiting temporary forms of shelters as permanent forms of residence. These shelters develop into communities existing, “on hold,” for indeterminate lengths of time. (Refer to image 1) The purpose of this project is to study the forces that form these indeterminate communities and propose alternative models of temporary shelters that can adapt to the potential futures they may face. Our strategy for this proposal is divided into four components: RESEARCH the existing emergency shelters of displaced communities. This includes the research of networks that sustain the communities, and the architecture that is put in place. DEVELOP strategies for design of shelters that rethink the conventional ideas of displacement. This will include developing new material and building uses and technologies to support to the new design strategies. PRACTICE ground up methodologies by challenging the traditional role between the architect and the user. Understanding that the majority of the shelters are self-built we will work with Non Governmental Organizations to learn from and work with displaced communities. PUBLISH in cross-disciplinary journals, magazines, blogs, and websites, to broadcast sustainable models to the governing authorities, potential financial sponsors, and the general public.

Describe the current stage of your initiative and your implementation plan over the next three years

BUILDING STRATEGIES AND MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT

Strategy A: Reusable
Strategy B:One of a kind
Strategy C: Repeatable
Strategy D: Disposable

Rachel Whiteread's work tells us that space can be derived from either constructing the void or filling the void. Her work also tells us that form is not necessarily stagnant, but has the ability to change or create more forms.

Our proposal is to use her understanding of space and form to develop a strategy for designing a smarter shelter that is able respond to different stages of displacement. This does not negate the fact that emergency shelters must be economical, sustainable, and simple and fast to build.

We are proposing strategies which demonstrate ability for material to interchange between shelter and formwork for other types of material. This mutation of the function of the material is key in our development of emergency shelters. The changeability of function not only allows the occupant to go between the temporary and permanent stages of displacement, but also allows us to think about these materials on a wider range of sustainability and mobility. (Refer to image 4)

For example, in strategy A, in which an inflatable bubble initially provides shelter, then later formwork, for a stronger, more permanent shelter. The inflatable bubble must have qualities of mobility and reusability, and the subsequent form must have the capacity to minimize damage on its host environment. To accomplish this task, we will work with research groups and manufacturers for furthering the technology of everyday materials.

ACCESSIBLE PUBLICATIONS
Our drawings and diagrams are a critical element of our communication and broadcasting strategy. While developing material studies and shelter design, we recognize the need to clearly convey this building technology to the future occupant. We believe in the power of visual communication and universal readability to the occupant, the academic, or the government official. Our broadcasting strategy will make use of varied technologies from YouTube and Blogspot for general public audience to architecture magazines for academic discourse, and brochures for community dissemination and governmental petition. (Refer to image 5)

Describe how your strategy meets the entry criteria ("What We're Looking For")

A SUSTAINBLE PRACTICE

COLLABORARTIVE

As design collaboration, we work with not only architects and designers, but urban planners, city officials, economic advisers, doctors, volunteers, teachers, and residents.

COMPREHENSIVE

National security, environmental sustainability, disease containment, quality education, economic development, and social equity are just a few of the many quality of life issues that are addressed from obtaining a permanent and reliable residence. In a time of global warming and climate change, political and economic unrest, the increased privatization of public and natural resources, it is inevitable that the need for emergency and transitional housing will continue to grow within the next 15 years.

RESPONSIBLE

Currently emergency shelters are not ecologically responsible. Deforestation, toxic off gassing, and structurally instability are all common issues directly related to emergency shelters. Water and air pollution, domestic violence, and adequate infrastructure are all challenges that fester as temporary communities slowly become permanent. Our proposal does not re-invent the wheel. Rather we seek to critic the existing strategies and networks and propose how to modify them to create a better solution. We are not simply designing stagnant modules, but rather holistic building systems adaptable to available resources and environments. (Refer to image 6)

Describe the qualifications and experience of you and/or your team and your ability to execute your implementation plan

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Sponsored by a number of fellowships and grants, we have been given the opportunity to study and work with design firms and individuals in the barrios of Caracas, Venezuela, the Burmese Refugee Camps in Mae La, Thailand, the Post-Apartheid Johannesburg, South Africa, and Post-Katrina New Orleans, USA. From the self-built and permanent structures in Caracas to the government provided and temporary FEMA trailers in New Orleans, our research has time and again proven that the current housing facilities provided for displaced people are unsustainable and lack the capacity to adapt to their unpredictable futures.

We have organized our findings into two scales. At the individual shelter scale, we have classified the variety of shelters between the gradient of temporary and permanent based on their ability to provide basic shelter services. (Refer to image 2)

At the community scale, we have identified the key stake holders of the management and distribution of materials and services to indeterminate societies. We have categorized the different phases of growth of displaced communities into Emergency Shelter, Stabilization, Community Development, and Indeterminacy in order to evaluate the varied challenges that arise from each stage. (Refer to image 3)