5 frames are ready to go—house frames that is. Architect Joseph Bellomo, who designed the HouseArc with design partner Taraneh Naddafi, has offered to ship 5 homes in response to the devastated Oklahoma area.
The HouseArc, more weather-resistant than one might think, is the ultimate in simple dwelling. The curvaceous 150-square-foot home represents a new model for compact and sustainable living, and has been featured at venues such as the 2012 Sunset Home Show. These air-stream shaped contraptions are an offshoot of the popular and award-winning BikeArc (a modular bike shelter, TubeArc, was being assembled in downtown Boston the same day of Bellomo’s phone interview with AIACC).
Besides winning awards, however, its durability and comfort level are also important features. “It can withstand tropical storms and hurricanes,” said Bellomo, apropos as this house was the result of thinking that began in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. Bellomo himself can attest to the comfort level as he has resided in one two different times in California and Hawaii.
“It can be used as permanent or temporary housing,” Bellomo said, which is a perfect solution for disaster response. These five mighty structures could be viable solutions for those needing shelter, or for construction site relief set-up.
Bellomo and team are waiting for the go ahead to send them as soon as needed. Since the fatal tornadoes hit Oklahoma (first on May 20 and then on the 31), the priority has been search and rescue as well as first-response. When rebuilding gets underway, the HouseArc will be at the ready to aide in the long-term recovery of the state.
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