It's always difficult to come back from a long trip and get back into the routine of things. So I've been spending time catching up with life - and all the fabulous things in the world of 'Green' that I've missed out on. And hopefully, will be back in the full swing of writing shortly. But as fun as reading up on all these things is, something else has been on my mind - Haiti. And as the various aid organizations around the world have been rushing to help people begin the long and arduous process towards stability and reconstruction, imaginations around the world have also been running wild. Aside from the wonderful relief efforts that people have been making to bring food, clean water and medicine to the island, there are many who are coming up with the means to build temporary housing, providing Haitians with safe and sustainable homes while they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.This temporary housing has humble beginnings as shipping containers, but these building blocks are anything but simple. Made from lightweight materials that assemble into a steel frame with rubber rollers, the system allows for quick assembly, disassembling, and additions - and is stable enough to withstand earthquakes. On top of that, they offer the inhabitants natural ventilation, solar panels, wind turbines, living roofs, rainwater collection, and even bio-climatic technology to make it a zero-energy building. The double insulated walls and large glass facades allow for daylight and maintaining better interior climates. Created by internationally based Architecture firm GMZ Design, these modular systems have been used in places like Bosnia and Italy for similar purposes, and at the end of their life span, can be converted to more permanent housing, or moved to locations where they are needed. For a tiny bit more information, check out Inhabitat.
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