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The Hexayurt is a prototype for a family of refugee shelters.
At the moment, most refugees wind up in poly tarp structures
held up by PVC pipe. These structures rot rapidly, offer little
protection from the elements, and in the long run feel like tents.

Tents are fun for a while, but few people would choose to live in one
for years at a time.

The Hexayurt is a first draft of a different kind of super-low-cost housing.
This prototype is made from cardboard, but the design holds good for any
4′ x 8′ sheet goods, allowing different materials like plywood or
styrofoam to be used in different climates.

The exterior is made from a reflective insulating material, which lends
both insulation and waterproofing. Separating the structural and waterproofing
elements means a much wider range of structural materials can be used.

Finally, the Hexayurt is made to be portable on a car, truck, donkey, or
at worst, on the back of humans. A single adult can carry the hut in this
picture without undue difficulty, and two adults could carry a hut for
many miles in a single day if the need arose.

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This prototype was made with materials given to me by three companies.
Pactiv Corporation donated their
Hexacomb board material, which forms
the sides and roof of the hexayurt,
Innovative Energy donated
Heatshield, the reflective
insulation which surronds the structure, and 3M
donated the fibre tape which holds the structure together.

I’d like to thank all three companies. I was completely amazed and gratified
by their generosity and genuine interest in this project, and I hope
that their time and money will turn out to be a worthwhile investment.