Gimme Shelter

Shelter falls pretty close to the base on Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs - somewhere in between water and personal security -  it's a critical basic requirement to live, often one of the most vulnerable to damage during a disaster and the first to be improvised during the recovery phase. While I certainly wouldn't suggest a tent as the primary structure to rely on during an emergency, sometimes the portability and flexibility are requirements mandated and that can not be overlooked during a crisis. While spending sometime considering options for mobility, temporary shelter and camps, I came across these two products that seem to embrace the concepts of a GreenZoneSolution.

The NEMO Nano OZ is a durable backpacking tent made almost entirely of recycled materials. According to their website, NEMO has carefully chosen the recycled components in Nano OZ™ to ensure their durability, longevity, and functionality. The Nano OZ is all about efficiency. The bold curves at the base of the tent cut out wasted fabric and increase wall tension. An integrated vestibule saves weight by eliminating attachment hardware and rolls out of the way when not needed. Nano OZ™ comes with GREEN™ anodized DAC aluminum poles, which can also be recycled. NEMO also produces bamboo tent poles that are strong, flexible, lightweight, and made from a highly renewable resource.

NEMO donated over 150 tents to Pakistan after the earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 and is the recipient of multiple major awards and recognitions including the I.D. Magazine Design Distinction Award, Bottom Line Design Award and the Good Design Award from the Chicago Antheneum. NEMO was also named one of Popular Science Magazine's Best Innovations in 2005 and Most Amazing Inventions by Time Magazine. They have managed to be recognized not only within their industry as a leader but also outside by design professionals.

While still just a concept at this point and not in full production, the Solar Tent (photo above) keeps you covered and also provides a source of renewable energy and access to communication while the tent is pitched. According to an article in Popular Science, the tent uses "solar threads" woven into the fabric to collect energy. The inhabitants can adjust the tent's movable panels to capture the best angle on the sun throughout the day. Inside the tent, a display shows how much solar energy the tent has captured throughout the day and how much energy is currently stored. Orange is one of the most well-known wireless carriers in the UK, so naturally the tent includes a few extra features related to going mobile during the day, while the pod charges. "Glo-cation" technology allows you to send an SMS message to the tent, causing it to glow so it's easy to find. Should Orange decide to begin manufacturing the Solar Tent, it should be a important item to those seeking Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable short term shelter following a disaster