Massachusetts company Visible Good has developed a new emergency shelter design that could prove useful during a humanitarian crisis. Dubbed “Rapid Deployment Module” (RDM), the shelter is portable, reusable, and can be assembled in around 25 minutes by just two people, no tools required.
Like the Modularflex shelter we recently reported on, the RDM is delivered as a self-contained unit In the case of the RDM, the shipping crate itself is utilized as a base for the shelter. The RDM features hard walls (which double up as whiteboards), raised floors, and a vented fabric roof. Lockable doors and windows should afford at least some additional security compared to a fabric tent, and the lifespan of each unit is rated at a decade.
Visible Good reports that the RDM shelters can be used, and reused, in a variety of emergency situations, including disaster relief, first-response, and even education. Indeed, as shown in the Image Gallery, the 130 square-foot (12 square-meter) interior of the shelter can be outfitted with bunk beds, desks, or medical equipment, depending on what the situation on the ground requires.
The RDM has already seen some degree of real-world success, as BP recently purchased 26 units for use in the ongoing cleanup operation of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the U.S. Army has awarded Visible Good a research and development grant for the production of an “extreme” RDM, suitable for the most challenging weather conditions.
As of writing, we've not yet had word back from Visible Good as to the per-unit price of the RDM shelters.
Source: Visible Good
