Reducing Hardware Costs

Eliminating extraneous hardware, materials and cost has a lot of potential in the search for a cheaper and more comprehensive solution towards refugee housing. Throughout history, cultures have innovated these methods through traditional styles. New Technology has also contributed techniques, reflecting back to times before mass production of hardware.

Interlocking structures provide the opportunity for semi-permanence, whereas a structure can be assembled and unassembled, with the opportunity to be re- sed. The most common construction of this type are blocks. These blocks are engineered to interlock together to eliminate the need for mortar. With this being said, the blocks must be built in a way which gives allows them to resist wind and seismic loads. The advantages of this construction method is that it is quick, cost effective, and easy to build with. Many times, lightweight aggregates are used to make the blocks easier to handle. This allows the structure to be transportable and transformable.

When looking for inspiration for interlocking structures one can also study traditional Japanese joinery techniques. Commonly, these methods utilize interlocking corners. They allow for the joinery of wood without any use of glue, screws or nails, which can make construction quicker and cheaper. However, many of these joints are quite complex. This can make them hard fabricate or difficult to connect. Conversely, this can be simplified if entire walls are joined at corners, or pieces that span the entire wall are overlapped. An example of this reduced method is the traditional log cabin of western culture and some modern heavy timber systems.

Another method which can integrate interlocking into its structure is tilt-up concrete. This technique can utilize less complex interlocking corners. Tilt-up concrete uses less formwork than pour-in-place methods. It is also quick and cost effective. Once constructed, the walls have great insulated properties as well as durability. Heavy walls require a lot of safety precautions and also requires robust machinery. With the issue at hand, in combination with the advantages of this method, these machines would be a worthwhile investment. Ownership of a few machines with this construction methods would make the seemingly impossible the goal of constructing 7,000 houses per week attainable.

Quite different to interlocking, the upcoming system of folding could form entire shelters from a single sheet of material. This method utilizes another traditional skill of Japanese culture: Origami. The prime material used for this in architecture is thin steel sheets, where perforations or scoring allows bending. Geometries can range from simple to complex depending on needs and desired shape. Folds can even become functional as shelves, tables, or seats within the structure. Since this is just starting to be considered as a viable construction method there is not much research on its structural integrity, insulation, waterproofing, or other crucial components.

Finally, a method that could reduce cost and minimize hardware is subtraction. Subtraction can integrate functional elements such a shelves, seats, and openings into solid constructions. Reusable formwork can allow for this in concrete and rammed earth. Nonetheless, some backup reinforcement may be required. For example, a small piece of plywood can be used as a lintel above an opening in a rammed earth wall.