2019 OVERALL WINNER
BUSINESS:
Humanihut Pty Ltd
PRODUCT:
Rapidly Deployabe Rigid Field Infrastructure Systems
AWARD CATEGORY:
Design Strategy
INDUSTRY SECTOR:
Products - Industrial & Infrastucture
DESIGN:
Humanihut
First Place - Engineering Category in the Australian Design Awards 2018. Acclaimed as a future market leader for accommodation in the 2016 International Disrupt100 List
EXPORTING to: Saudi Arabia
1: BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
The Humanihut Field Infrastructure System is a rapidly deployable, rigid field infrastructure system that is scalable and suitable for many uses. It is delivered as a “System” which comprises Huts that can include bedding, office furniture, reverse cycle air conditioning, lighting, power, fresh water and integrated ablutions.
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
The System needed to be robust and versatile to be used as a short to long term temporary accommodation solution with diverse applications such as relief from natural disaster for displaced persons, emergency services teams or construction workers at remote sites. The design needed to address the issues of extreme climatic conditions, rapid deployability and re-deployability, logistically efficient, simple to establish with minimal training and able to be integrated into domestic and international power and water utilities.The product needed to be designed to have a significant field life to be cost effective, be internationally compliant, safe and simple with minimal environmental impact.
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
The initial design concept was to provide a safe, simple and rugged solution for displaced persons. The co-founders developed a simple model of foldable huts that could be stacked and inserted into a shipping container for transportation to the site, extracted and unfolded and the container is then configured into the ablutions. A company was engaged to produce the technical drawings, which were then socialised with Humanitarian and other organisations around the world. Following the overwhelming positive response, with suggestions for improvement, the journey began. The result was a significant innovative concept, a patented hinge system and with more applications than originally thought.
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
Due to the innovative concept, the journey of design has been based upon feedback from customers and a small dedicated staff. Innovation and continuous change is a key aspect of our Business Strategy. The agility and flexibility of the product allows for a range of customers and it is economic due to long lasting design. This aspect allows the System to be employed by a range of users thus increasing the range of commercial interests. Australian manufacture of the panels allows for a high grade finish thus minimising waste and increasing sustainability. The System provides a sense of community and safety in a refugee environment. We have interest from overseas governments and companies.
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
There is nothing like this on the international market. Potential export customers regard the speed of deployment and re-deployment, in harsh climatic conditions as providing a cost effective solution for accommodation in green field sites. Rapidly deployable, containerised water purification, waste treatment and power services can also be provided for the camp. The Humanihut system can also be connected to mains services if such infrastructure is available. The Humanihut Field Infrastructure System is configurable from eight huts to as many as required, accommodating up to thousands of people. It is simple to assemble by local staff who will undergo a short training course on safety and deployment processes. Feedback from training with the Sth Aust SES included: "What a well thought through & designed system”; " Much quicker than setting up tents". Export Success of Humanihut for Sth Aust has several paradigms. The value of exports to Sth Aust can assist allied industries. The manufacture of the vital component - the panels, means jobs in Sth Aust. Design in Sth Aust lifts the high regard of the State's technical expertise. International success in both Defence and Humanitarian markets raises the profile of Sth Aust in these markets. Most importanlty, success means that somewhere in the world, some displaced persons have shelter, safety and dignity in times of need.