abeer seikaly weaves shelters for disaster relief using patterned fabric
all images courtesy of abeer seikaly
‘weaving a home’ by jordanian/canadian designer abeer seikaly proposes a disaster shelter for refugees that is based on temporary huts of nomadic tribes. the use of structural fabric references ancient traditions of joining linear fibers to make complex three-dimensional shapes – the resulting pattern is easy to erect and scale into various functions, from a basket to a tent. the project incorporates technological advances and new methods of assembly of the material, envisioning a system composed of durable plastic members that are threaded to form a singular unit. these flexible envelopes fold across a central axis, with the hollow structural skin enabling necessities such as water and electricity to run through it, similar to a typical stud wall.
‘weaving a home’ was shortlisted for the 2012 LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, a designboom competition run in collaboration with LEXUS.
view of the tent structures closed during winter
exposure to the surrounding elements can be controlled by manipulating the units into different scales and opening and closing the exterior skin. the lightweight, structural fabric seeks to help people weave their lives back together, as they construct the mobile pieces into a home.
view of the tent structures during the day
interior view of the tent when open, the layered skin provides pockets for storage
view of the tent structures during the night
weaving a home
weaving a home
weaving a home
drawings of the single-layer fabric skin
drawings of the double-layer fabric skin
assembly diagram
models showing how the structure collapses down
model studies with cut and scored paper turned into a flexible pattern
LEXUS (54)
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Jan 20, 2020LEXUS DESIGN AWARD (38)
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Sep 17, 2019PORTABLE AND EMERGENCY ARCHITECTURE (213)
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Jun 13, 2021PRODUCT LIBRARY
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Phil D Sep 16, 2015 Kristin Kreiger Sep 05, 2015 elana Sep 05, 2015 W.Blake Derby Sep 03, 2015 Tanja Jankovic Sep 03, 2015 Denise Heinrich-Lane Sep 03, 2015 Nicole Galland Sep 03, 2015 Carlos André Fonseca Sep 01, 2015 C. Langham Aug 31, 2015
more commentsPlease tell me these exist and are available to buy. Amazing concept.
Your work is beautiful – good for heart and body. Can they be purchased? How? What is the size and price?
Do you teach how to make these? Can we by one for ourselves as we by another for a refugee in need? So many questions. Your work is great. Thank you. I hope you answer.
Cost? availability?
Please inform me when I can see one close-up and purchase when available… Sound marvelous!
The information came to Serbia. It is amazing. Thank You for this invention. I am a scout leader and very interested. Is the tent prodused in other sizes or only one? Also interested in weight, cost, delivery, lasting..
Thank You in advance.
Beautiful.Would be very interested in getting one.
Just adding my name to the list of folks who find this amazing and would be interested in pricing/availability… thanks!
I too would be interested in purchasing. Availability? Price? Please let us all know. Thanks
I don’t know if anyone is responding to the many requests for more information on availability of these shelters, but if so I too would like to receive updates and details. Thank you!