Ultra lightweight architecture: foldable and expandable shelters for humanitarian relief. From containers to kits: evolution of lightweight sheltering systems

This article explains how and when lightweight architecture has developed, how it works and which are its basic principles. Structures that come ready to assemble, that can be erected and disassembled in a matter of hours and those that have the last impact on the natural environment while providing adequate shelter and modern amenities, are the preoccupation of several architects whose ambitions are not only toward the micro but the autonomous. Anyway, most of these features are not known and that’s why, in this dissertation, foldable and expandable architecture are shown and their features are highlighted (part a.). The article continues explaining how these kind of solutions can be adapted to suit the needs of victims in case of emergencies and some of the few applications are presented (part b.). The conclusion (part c) focuses on the weak points about the application of such structures in emergency to foreseen possible fields of improvement. A detailed bibliography about the topic is provided in annex.