IKEA’s flat-packed refugee housing solution, the “Better Shelter,” has been described as “Innovative, humanitarian and implemented”.
The Award winning solution was developed as a collaborative project in 2013 by Johan Karlsson, Dennis Kanter, Christian Gustafsson, John van Leer, Tim de Haas, Nicolò Barlera, UNHCR and the IKEA Foundation.
The structures consist of a steel frame clad with insulated lightweight polymer panels, and can be assembled in under 4 hours. Due its modular nature, additional features such as a solar powered wall can also be integrated into the design. Each shelter is designed for a 3-year lifespan. Nearly 65 million of the shelters have since been distributed worldwide.
