Refugee Crises-Possible Housing Solution-Mini Hex Cabins

Refugee Crises-Possible Housing Solution-Mini Hex Cabin

By Joshua Taylor-October 19, 2015

Vancouver Island

     The number one question that I would ask myself concerning the mass migration of refugees into Europe and other Western Nations is this: “What would Jesus Do?” Would He take sides, point the finger at the root cause of the problem or possibly come up with a viable and simple solution? I’ll leave you decide.

     As a fellow believer in our Lord and Saviour I’ve experienced my share of falling through the cracks, being homeless, unable to work. Firsthand experience has put a compassion in my heart for others who have fallen through the cracks of society, been displaced through disaster or have become outcasts because of war. I understand also the burden that is being placed on those giving a helping hand.

    Any crisis is designed to tear you down or build you up.  If you allow self pity or other negative emotions to take you over it just compounds your misery.  On the other hand maybe the trial is offering the solution to the problem.  Such was the case when I found myself sleeping in the cab of a truck in the winter after having a heart attack.  From this the Lord birthed a simple solution or shelter system with the potential of meeting a wide variety of needs.  It is called the Hex Cabin.

    Over this past decade I’ve designed various sizes ranging from 6 to 14 ft. in width.  The hex cabins can put together as a kit for deployment and set up. The modular design allows for mass production using minimal skilled labor. The framework is made up of a series of hexagonal ribs to form a covered ark. With the points set in the vertical position, the top forms a 60 degree pitched roof and the bottom point serves as the floor and cradle support. Each hexagonal rib is made up of six sides. The length of each side predetermines the size of the completed hex cabins. Sides range from  4, 5, 6 and 8 ft. A hex cabin made up of 4 ft. sides has a finished exterior width of just under 7 ft.  Cabins made up of 5 ft. sides would give you a finished exterior of just under 10.5 ft. This would be my cabin of choice to set up a relief camp as it allows for the maximum amount of sleeping space. The length of the hex cabins range from 8, 12, 16 and 24 ft. For every 6 ft. of interior space you could sleep 4 people for long term using a folding double Murphy bed system.  The shell of the hex cabin could use a breathable woven plastic to shed it from the elements.  The 2 x 4 framework allows for batt insulation to be used.

     The hex cabins are designed to set up as row housing or put together to form a geometric design. The latter allows for the development of individualized camps of twelve 24 ft. cabins for a population density of 100 people per acre for off the ground, long term shelter.

     The hex cabins can be modified to provide rest room facilities, saunas, kitchens, storage or for growing greenhouses for growing food.

     What would Jesus do if He was here today?  Love never fails. This is my gift solution to help resolve this refugee crises. These hex cabins could also serve a viable solution for the homeless here on Vancouver Island.  God has blessed me with the skill and know how, just need the teamwork and finances to build a prototype to get this vision out to the world.