Design

Democracy is about including the client in the design. The design of the D- Frame simplifies the logic of shelter relief to a point where volunteers and the populations occupying these shelters can take ownership of them and form it to suite their needs after a disaster. In the case of a disaster this is the best relief we can offer, allowing people a canvas to express their culture and regain their sense of community. In a natural disaster, the displaced populations require shelter immediately. Typically, a designer works from the specifics of a site, but the response time of this method would not help in time. The design challenge is to predict basic elements about the needs of the users, the site, and available materials. But even the best pre- planning cannot predict every circumstance of a disaster situation. The designer can only work so far into the product until they need to hand the design process over for people who are assembling this design. These volunteers at a site know the site layout, available materials after the disaster, and how many people need shelter. For a shelter to be this adaptable, the design must be clear, simple, and intuitive for anyone to be able to manipulate in its creation. The D-Frame for Disaster Relief is a simple yet strong frame that provides immediate shelter relief for displaced populations. The design is simple, adaptable, and modular. The design is two squares that cross at the center of the base and roof. It collapses to be only as thick as two wood beams. At each X is an articulating joint. The unit opens to different degrees that create a square or rectangular space. The roof beams have notches at different angles that use the same length brace to secure it into place. The user assembles and manipulates each unit with prefabricated connections for a faade and connection with other units. The volunteers and communities who are building temporary shelter can put up an entire complex in a few days. Populations are in need of shelter all over the world. The prefabricated connections in the D-Frame can be adjusted to suite the lifestyle and local materials of each culture. In disaster relief, it can be most helpful to have supplies ready since specific details of when and where of the disaster are unknown. When deploying a D-Frame (Deployable-Frame) to be stored in preparation for a disaster, the design would be specified by climate and potential disasters that may take place. In colder climates it would have notches to connect wood into the frame. In a tropical or arid climate, fabric may used to wrap the frame. But the type of fabric would cater to the climate. For example, in a Tropical climate, with much rainfall, the D-Frame would use water-proof fabric. But in an Arid climate, where airflow is necessary for cooling, the faade would resemble the goat hair weave of Bedouin tents. When providing shelter for so many people, the funds and the labor are charitably given to those in need. The price can add up quickly when trying to help so many

D-Frame for Disaster Relief Katie Umenthum

people. The D-Frame uses standard lumber with minimal hardware. It needs fewer nails and wood than a typical stud frame would to enclose the same area and wouldn't have the lateral stability provided through the two Xs at the roof and the floor The D-Frame also utilizes available materials from the disaster site. In the case of a flood, the floor bracing could be sandbags or in an earthquake it could be rubble. These simple gestures decrease the cost of each unit. When a complex is built, this can make a great impact on the feasibility of the structure. The limited number of tools allows more volunteers to participate because they mainly need their hands to manipulate the frame and wrap the faade. The directions for the assembly are contained in a simple manual with visual graphics that reach across different languages. The manual uses stages in the assembly to show what pieces are used to achieve different affects. The steps for each stage include colors clarifying which pieces of fabric are used and how volunteers can work together. The design is a choose your own story as people go through the process of making their structure their specific to the needs of the displaced population. In some cases so many choices on site could overwhelm the chaos that can follow a disaster. But it is much easier for volunteers to take over as designers and adapt to situations on site. The most important democracy in this design is how the users take ownership of the final shelter design. With time, the frame becomes more familiar as it addresses each disaster. Volunteers can see how others have manipulated the modular system with the Internet. They can exchange ideas or download other stages of the design. The modular units can connect to make more public buildings. The potential in the D-Frame is to quickly expand infrastructure after a disaster. By changing the height of the verticals or changing the length of one side of the x, the articulation of the X allows radial designs and greater spans. The D-Frame can be deployed quickly and offer transitional housing for up to a year while permanent housing is rebuilt. The living units can then be adapted to be community or public space. The D-Frame improves the living conditions of individuals after a disaster. The modular units are more stable than tents and more adaptable to creating larger spaces. The form and materials of the shelter can be adapted to reflect the culture they serve. For example, in Palestine the refugees own very little of what is around them. These Frames would be a gift for them to integrate their own cultures designs and family structure into the fabric of the faade. In the aftermath of a disaster, it is important to provide more than shelter. People need a reassurance of the community around them for support. Connecting units can define family spaces inside and form courtyards on the outside. By giving the design to the people, they connect with each other and volunteers as they rebuild their houses and remake their community.