The Pallet House project was conceived in 1999 as a transitional shelter for the refugees of Kosovo. It has since evolved and made into a number of different prototypes. Pallets are readily available in most countries and are particularly accessible in coastal regions with ports. They are used for shipping, are inexpensive and recyclable and can be pre-assembled by hand at a rate of 500/ day/ worker. Their size, strength and weight are specifically designed for transport and therefore are a great construction module. They provide flexibility in terms of configuration, allowing each family to build according to their own needs over time. This process encourages participation of the community that lives in the homes, fostering employment and economic growth. A 250 square foot shelter requires 100 pallets nailed together and lifted into place by 4-5 people using hand tools over a week. Initially, tarps draped over the basic structure prevent water penetration until indigenous materials like rubble, mud, earth, wood, shingles or cladding can be gathered to fill the wall cavities and cover the roof. The Pallet House can apply traditional wattle and daub to a structure of standard wood pallets. It can be bolted to sill plates on foundation walls of local stone or concrete and the roof may be finished with clay tiles or palm thatch. The wattle (flexible twigs) can be woven between the pallet boards and daub, a mixture of clay, lime, sand and straw, and applied to the walls by hand. In hot climates open pallets extend above the finished walls to allow for ventilation and wall cavities are left void, except where indoor plumbing and electrical service are available which can be incorporated into the cavity of the pallet structure. Where inclement weather persists the pallets may be pre-assembled with styrofoam insulation, vapor barrier, plywood or corrugated sheathing prior to shipping. The Pallet House adapts to almost every climate on earth and a basic structure can be built for under $500 USD. The shipping cost of pallets is negligible when used to carry food, water, medicine, clothing and other types of aid. (via The Buckminster Fuller Challenge | Catalyzing the vanguard of a design science revolution)

The Pallet House project was conceived in 1999 as a transitional shelter for the refugees of Kosovo. It has since evolved and made into a number of different prototypes. Pallets are readily available in most countries and are particularly accessible in coastal regions with ports. They are used for shipping, are inexpensive and recyclable and can be pre-assembled by hand at a rate of 500/ day/ worker. Their size, strength and weight are specifically designed for transport and therefore are a great construction module. They provide flexibility in terms of configuration, allowing each family to build according to their own needs over time. This process encourages participation of the community that lives in the homes, fostering employment and economic growth. A 250 square foot shelter requires 100 pallets nailed together and lifted into place by 4-5 people using hand tools over a week. Initially, tarps draped over the basic structure prevent water penetration until indigenous materials like rubble, mud, earth, wood, shingles or cladding can be gathered to fill the wall cavities and cover the roof.

The Pallet House can apply traditional wattle and daub to a structure of standard wood pallets. It can be bolted to sill plates on foundation walls of local stone or concrete and the roof may be finished with clay tiles or palm thatch. The wattle (flexible twigs) can be woven between the pallet boards and daub, a mixture of clay, lime, sand and straw, and applied to the walls by hand. In hot climates open pallets extend above the finished walls to allow for ventilation and wall cavities are left void, except where indoor plumbing and electrical service are available which can be incorporated into the cavity of the pallet structure.

Where inclement weather persists the pallets may be pre-assembled with styrofoam insulation, vapor barrier, plywood or corrugated sheathing prior to shipping. The Pallet House adapts to almost every climate on earth and a basic structure can be built for under $500 USD. The shipping cost of pallets is negligible when used to carry food, water, medicine, clothing and other types of aid.

(via The Buckminster Fuller Challenge | Catalyzing the vanguard of a design science revolution)

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