[ Design ] S.C.A.F.FOLD v. 2.0

Project Name
: S.C.A.F.FOLD v. 2.0: C.R.I.S.I.S
Location: Global
Typology: Emergency Housing
Size: Varies
Date: 2009
Project Team: Erick Gregory, Jay S. Lim, Christopher Reynolds
Recognition: Featured at the AIA National Convention 2009

C.R.I.S.I.S. [Compact Regenerative Inflatable Structural Inhabitation System] is an emergency housing unit to be used with the S.C.A.F.FOLD chassis system, developed by 25:8. The units provide a lighter, more compact and buoyant housing unit intended for areas prone to floods. The inflatable structure sits in a double fibreglass tub which provides buoyancy to the unit should the site flood.

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C.R.I.S.I.S. presents an adaptable mobile foundation framework doubling as the transport trailer. The adjustable S.C.A.F.FOLD chassis is deployable on a range of site and soil conditions including flood prone riparian zones, waterlogged roadways and over existing urban streets, allowing rebuilding of adjacent properties to continue seamlessly while refugees are never dislocated far from their true home.

C.R.I.S.I.S. heightens the value of community during times of need. Potential configurations allow for the clustering or agglomeration of units in communal pods. With shared amenities including a rainwater collecting courtyard, district cogeneration of heat and power, and play yards for children, the C.R.I.S.I.S. community evolves through time to inherit the combined identity and norms of its inhabitants. Furthermore, local manufacture, assembly, storage and customization present new opportunities for corollary organic business development and job creation. Spinoff businesses will not only feed the supply chain of sustainable material suppliers in the production of units, but also provide new job opportunities for the displaced.

Once the disaster has subsided and permanent housing needs to be rebuilt, the unit can easily be relocated to the owner’s property. When in place, the hollow double shell can be filled with concrete, serving as formwork to make a foundation for a new house.