rudimentary constructions made from timber frames and steel sheeting (many times recycled). These shelters are unstable and dangerous when their inhabitants use fires for heating during the winter months. They are also extremely uncomfortable during the summer months.

They of course have their advantages however basic they appear to be. These shelters are very affordable and thus accessible to many poor people. They also use recycled material which is an environmentally friendly approach. They are easy to erect, dismantle and transport. They are manufactured off-site in many cases in a simple, but efficient, system of prefabrication. These systems are informal, and thus, while many times shacks are built on legally-owned sites or behind existing government subsidised houses, they are mostly used on illegal sites. Thus the shack building businesses are also informal and are many times located on pavements or illegally occupied land and are usually close to emerging or existing squatter settlements.

To achieve this, one first needs to study the basic requirements of a shelter as a protective layer around the user with the intention to create a more comfortable environment to live in. A constant comfort temperature should be maintained as far as possible shielding the occupants daily and seasonally. Protection against any form of water should be provided ranging from humid climate to rain, hail and snow. Protection against all types of wind should also be provided. If the occupant of the shelter gets cold, fossil fuels tend to be burned for heating up the space resulting in smoke and unhealthy breathing air. In response to fire performance Smoke detectors and emergency exits will be provided throughout the structure. Fire retardant materials will be implemented and tested for safety and toxic fume release. In hot weather cooling of the space is normally provided by an air-conditioning system that puts strain on the power provider resulting in more fossil fuel burning. In wet weather conditions water can leak into defective shelters forming unhealthy cold damp areas for the occupants. In windy conditions the occupants need to protected and not find that the shelter disintegrates around them.

These needs of the occupant will form the central part of the design process. Other issues like re-use of the structure as well as the waste generated by the occupants will be studied and resolved in an efficient eco friendly way.

According to studies done the average world temperature will rise by one degree in 2010 if we continue the same way of living (2010 Imperative, March 2007). This could result in the following predicted events: excessive flooding of coastal regions, Tsunamis we are currently experiencing, abnormal climatic conditions like heat waves and below normal colder conditions.

Thus a need for accommodation system is identified and should consider disaster struck areas like earthquakes, tornados, and flooding. The brief of this project will implement Universal Requirements of a Dwelling Advantage enforced by Buckminster fuller in his Dymaxion House projects (Buckminster Fuller, 1969). The following thesis EXPLORING THE USE OF GEODESIC LIVING-SPACES AS A FIELD ACCOMMODATION SYSTEM IN ANTARCTIC CONDITIONS will form a starting point of this project (Pienaar L, 2004). This study was based on the research activities and accommodation issues identified in Antarctica. This resulted in a brief developed for a satellite research station for Antarctic conditions. The brief responds to the issues twofold, namely: Firstly, a generic performance specification was developed and, secondly a list of spatial accommodation.

The same accommodation system could also apply to extremely warm environments due to insulating properties of the materials as well as construction methods applied. A prototype model can be build to optimize the aerodynamic properties of the shelter resulting in better high windy conditions. Due to elevated level of the accommodation system it will not be prone to flooding of up to levels of 1800 millimetres. Further research may also require the structure to be able to float in extreme flooded areas. By elevating the structure a more eco friendly approach is used not to excavate the natural ground level for foundations and covering it with the building foot print. Disassembly and assembly of this shelter should be easily done by the client if required to relocate.

The concept of Trimtabs relates very strongly to the concepts of an on-going research project: Exploring technological and cultural transfer in partnership with small-scale, local industries in Mamelodi, Pretoria. In this project, adaptability in housing in this township near Pretoria is being investigated using existing technologies as a starting point. The aim of the project is to adapt a workshop approach where learning and development of housing systems are done through a practical manner, where projects are implemented and tested on site. The project is influenced by the concepts of “emergence” as described by Nabeel Hamdi in his book Small Change (Hamdi N, 2004). “Small” implies small interventions or projects and “change” implies using the minimum amount of money initially. Emergence means allowing for the natural, on-going forces of decision-making take place in a particular context through negotiation and as a response to the preliminary intervention. Thus this first intervention needs to be considered in terms of its strategic significance.

As a starting point for this project a workshop is provided by University of Pretoria for the construction of this prototype. This workshop needs to be fully equipped and also include a computerized 3D CNC polystyrene cutter and laser cutter for design development. The prototype will be thermally tested with data loggers and software to comply with design specifications. A testing site is provided for this project by the University of Pretoria. The disassembly and reconstruction of the shelter modules will be tested on the off campus site complying with design specifications set out by this project.

The layout of the accommodation system will be similar to the FIELD ACCOMMODATION SYSTEM IN ANTARCTIC CONDITIONS with bedroom areas located in the geodesic pods linking up to a vaulted multi functional activity space. As the family expands more pods can be added to the shelter as required. When a family member moves out to start his or her own family a pod could be disassembled from the shelter. This can be taken along to the new location identified for prosperity and linked up with a new vaulted multi functional space.

Renewable energy sources will also form part of this project and be incorporated into the shelter design. This could enable generation of electricity for everyday use as well as using more efficient ways of using electric energy. This could be similar to devices using solar furnace technology or wind turbines for generation of heat and electricity.

Water reticulation system integrated into the design should follow an effective way to use clean water to the maximum en purify waste water for release in the environment. Soiled waste water is always a problem if there are no processing plants available with the necessary waste water piping system implemented. For example a gas fired furnace toilet can be used that incinerates the waste leaving ash that can be used for gardening. This type of technology will be tested and integrated into the design making it possible not to excavate the site to implement the waste water pipe system that normally destroys the natural ground level of fauna and flora.

Environmental systems controlling heating and cooling of the spaces as needed will be researched and integrated into the structure. If the space is not occupied the environmental system will switch off and only heat or cool the spaces required by its occupants. This will be accomplished by using an onboard computer system and embed software developed for this purpose.

A digital security system monitored online by the client will enforce a secure safe environment. This system will be linked to the shelters GPS location creating a physical address that can be visited. In the event of an emergency a distress signal is broadcasted explaining the problem to the local authorities resulting in the appropriate response. Video surveillance will form part of this system making it easier to identify type of emergency or monitor activity when occupants are away. The integrated online computer system will monitor any abnormal activity of the surrounding environment and alert the client to any threats or intruders.

Education is provided with the on board computer system in the multi functional space by using telematic education and distance learning example: University of Pretoria’s ClickUP and VEGA science videos and Google scholar etcetera.