Developed by Spain’s Surricatta Systems, additional units can be added to make a much larger space. “The advantage of SURI is that this is a modular system that can be assembled to create a variety of facilities from family dwellings to primary healthcare centres,” said Pedro Sáez, director of Urbana de Exteriores, the parent company of Suricatta Systems. “It is also ideal for emergency field hospitals or mobile operating theatres in advance positions. As the system can be connected in multiple directions it allows for the creation of virtually any type of temporary building,” he added.
Composed of a lightweight framework surrounded by multiple layers of DuPont Tyvek – a UV-resistant breathable membrane used in construction—the exterior has pockets that can be filled with available materials, such as dirt or sand, that adds stability and insulation.
A rooftop cachement system collects rainwater and filters it into potable water; interior levels of light are controlled by adjustable apertures. Solar panels provide electricity to the modular structure, and the walls are treated to protect residents against mosquitoes.
Claiming SURI has a ten-year lifespan, Surricatta says all the materials are either recyclable or biodegradable. ##
(Photo credit: dezeen/Surricatta Systems–modular refugee housing system)
