Architects for Society

Hex house

With the prevalence of population displacement across the globe, Architects For Society has embarked on designing building solutions for them that are both dignified and cost effective.

AFS collaborated with Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden to develop a rapidly deployable shelter prototype for Syrian refugees in Alzaatari Camp in Jordan. This was the impetus for developing the Hex House prototype, which is based on an insulated metal panel technology that’s widely used in emergency shelter construction in the camps.

The Hex House is conceived as a low cost, off-grid, rapidly deployable and durable home which is shipped in pieces and assembled by the end users. It can easily be erected by people with no prior construction expertise with minimal instructions. The basic building components are galvanized tube steel for the base, structural insulated metal panel for the walls, floor and roof and can be customized with conventional interior and exterior finishes.

The house is designed for displaced populations such as refugees, natural/ man-made disaster emergency shelters and off the grid living. With passive and low tech features and durability of exterior shell and base, it can endure extended occupancy from 15 to 20 years. Most of all the flexibility of the system affords the end user the ability to personalize their living spaces both inside and out.