Cube For Life | Alessio Zampaglione

CUBE FOR LIFE is a project that was born after the earthquake happened in Italy (Aquila city) last April 2009, but thanks to his humanitarian purpose it can be used in every areas in poor countries and particularly to meet the needs of increasingly frequent relocation of entire populations as a result of environmental disasters or armed conflicts.
CUBE FOR LIFE is a single project that can be easily modified for multiple purposes.
It is designed to be housing at first (in emergency case) and later to be transformable into many other functions as retail, school, government building, … It can also be used in regular areas thanks to its strong ecological orientation and qualities.

The CUBE consists of prefabricated (or partially prefab) components and everything is modular (the modularity is based on mathematical relations).
There is a bearing structure in prefab reinforced concrete and the modular wood panels.
The concrete structure can be easily transported by truck or if there is local labor force it can be build locally.
In the case study were used modular wood panels complete with insulation and plants of the firms DATAHOLZ (www.dataholz.com) and LIGNOTREND (www.lignotrend.it).
We decided to use these products just to do an example with tested materials in accordance with European standards.

The core of the project is that is possible to select the material depending on the climate and the place where the Cube is built and to change type of material or insulation, even in order to use the local materials, for example the insulation could consists of sand, cellulose, glass fiber or wool from sheep.
Inside of the modular panels all the plants are prearranged during the production phase. The connections between the various units are completed and the plants are tested during the assembly.

CUBE FOR LIFE is an eco-sustainable building. It includes all the following principles:
• Smart design _easy shape and modular components,
• Eco-materials _wood and local materials,
• Energy efficiency _restriction of sunlight, photovoltaic generation, rooftop planting, high efficiency heating equipment,
• Water conservation _rainwater utilization system,
• Healthy environment _ventilation and lighting control.

The project still in the development phase but we think it has merit because the CUBE:
-is easy to build ,
-is quick to build,
-is a comfortable housing,
-can be reusable/transformable,
-can be relocated,
-is eco-sustainable,
-is calamity resistant .
We believe that CUBE FOR LIFE, using local materials and labor, can be a great solution for all the people who are in emergency situation.
They could have not only a quick, sustainable, comfortable house but they can also build by themselves a small city.