Good Thinking

Reversible tent offers safe shelter for the homeless

Reversible tent offers safe shelter for the homeless
Billion Bricks is raising money for the project with a Kickstarter campaign
Billion Bricks is raising money for the project with a Kickstarter campaign
View 13 Images
Billion Bricks is raising money for the project with a Kickstarter campaign
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Billion Bricks is raising money for the project with a Kickstarter campaign
Its creators claim that the WeatherHyde tent is the world's first reversible all season family tent
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Its creators claim that the WeatherHyde tent is the world's first reversible all season family tent
Reversing the material only takes around five minutes
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Reversing the material only takes around five minutes
The WeatherHyde tent measures 1.5 x 1.8m (4.9 x 5.9 ft)
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The WeatherHyde tent measures 1.5 x 1.8m (4.9 x 5.9 ft)
The WeatherHyde tent has a maximum height of 1.6 m (5.2 ft)
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The WeatherHyde tent has a maximum height of 1.6 m (5.2 ft)
The WeatherHyde tent soesn't need anchoring, which is handy for inner-city use
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The WeatherHyde tent soesn't need anchoring, which is handy for inner-city use
The WeatherHyde tent sports a high-visibility exterior
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The WeatherHyde tent sports a high-visibility exterior
The door panels on the WeatherHyde tent can also be removed and the sides can be propped up with poles
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The door panels on the WeatherHyde tent can also be removed and the sides can be propped up with poles
Billion Bricks says that the WeatherHyde is rated to withstand up to 300 mm (11-in) of rainwater per hour
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Billion Bricks says that the WeatherHyde is rated to withstand up to 300 mm (11-in) of rainwater per hour
The door panels of the WeatherHyde can also be removed and the sides can be propped up with poles
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The door panels of the WeatherHyde can also be removed and the sides can be propped up with poles
Inside the WeatherHyde tent
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Inside the WeatherHyde tent
There are several ventilation windows inside the WeatherHyde tent
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There are several ventilation windows inside the WeatherHyde tent
Billion Bricks is raising money through a Kickstarter campaign
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 Billion Bricks is raising money through a Kickstarter campaign
View gallery - 13 images

Homelessness is an issue that's not going away anytime soon, but Singapore-based non-profit Billion Bricks has created a reversible tent that it says could offer a safe shelter for those in dire straits. Billed as being quick and easy to erect, it's designed to keep its occupants cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Though catered to the homeless, you can also order one for yourself, if so inclined.

The WeatherHyde, which Billion Bricks claims is the world's first reversible all-season family tent, measures 1.5 x 1.8 m (4.9 x 5.9 ft) and its maximum height is 1.6 m (5.2 ft). It doesn't need anchoring and can be erected in less than 15 minutes without tools. Total weight is a hefty 12 kg (26 lb).

The idea behind the reversible cover is that you'd have the shiny surface on the inside during winter to reflect body heat, while in summer you'd turn it inside out to reflect the sun. If it's really hot, the tent's door panels can also be removed and the sides can be propped up with poles too.

Billion Bricks says the WeatherHyde's reversible triple-layer cover is adequate to provide a "comfortable" indoor temperature in weather reaching 0 °C (32 °F). It's also waterproof and has enough room for a maximum of two adults and three kids.

Inside the WeatherHyde tent
Inside the WeatherHyde tent

Billion Bricks aims to provide homeless people with its tents by raising money with a Kickstarter campaign. Assuming all goes to plan, spending $300 SGD (US$215) should hopefully result in a family in India receiving a tent.

You can also buy two tents for $650 SGD ($465): one for yourself, another for a homeless person you know. Shipping is to North America and Singapore only, and it doesn't come with the frame (to reduce shipping costs), so you'd have to purchase your own locally.

We asked Billion Bricks how exactly it will get the tents in the hands of those that need them most, and a representative told us that it's working with Non-Governmental Organizations in India. The firm also says it has tested its tent with 15 families in New Delhi over a six-month period with success.

The video below offers some more details on the WeatherHyde.

Sources: WeatherHyde, Kickstarter

WeatherHYDE: an all season life-saving tent

View gallery - 13 images
5 comments
5 comments
Cynthia Gurin
Because the homeless always have an extra $250 to spare and the police always welcome the homeless who want to set up tents beneath an overpass.
Bob Flint
Rain collection? wind loads? Flammability? Material life span? Frames can be locally sourced or scavenged.
Paul Anthony
I think this is a good idea, and I wonder what the "non-profit" really means. Perhaps it would be better to sell the design and have it manufactured in India in order to create jobs there for people who are homeless and cut down on shipping.
JoeFrederick
$160 will get you a Coleman Evanston 8 Screened 4-Season Tent which has four times the area and is a foot taller.
DavidConklin
Interesting concept. I have been working on a plan to get the homeless off the streets in the US. For $50k, it would include the land, your own power source, over 600 sq feet, a complete kitchen and bathroom, septic system, etc..