Collapsible Container Unit | Mark Schmidt

This student presentation attempts to de-stigmatize the constraints of a typical shipping container as a source for specialized humanitarian shelters, specifically after natural and man-made disasters. It follows the hypothetical case of an earthquake in Afghanistan and shows in some detail how a collapsible structure can bridge the gap between temporary emergency relief shelters and permanent structures. The final design proposal goes one step further as it also stabilizes future buildings against more inevitable and recurring earthquakes. This presentation also shows how this project is specifically designed to suit Afghanistan’s climate, economy, landscape, and vernacular architecture.