Emergency Architecture: Application of the Active House Protocol for the Indoor Comfort Prediction in Post-Disaster Shelters

Marco Bellomo (), Simona Colajanni and Manfredi Saeli
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Marco Bellomo: Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Simona Colajanni: Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Manfredi Saeli: Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-24

Abstract: The design of post-emergency shelters is critical for mitigating the impacts of the numerous disasters occurring globally. Unfortunately, these shelters are frequently constructed with insufficient attention to comfort levels and minimum standards for temporary refuge. This study examines wooden post-emergency shelters, which have become increasingly common in various refugee camps and regions worldwide. Using the Active House Protocol, a comprehensive comparative analysis of indoor comfort is conducted to propose innovative approaches to global design challenges, particularly in developing countries. To minimize the negative effects of disasters and increase sustainability, it is essential to explore the feasibility of designing comfortable shelters despite numerous obstacles, such as the limited availability of low-cost materials and the lack of skills of the local workforce. Various shelter configurations are analyzed, revealing that structures made from natural materials and designed with careful consideration of air circulation yielded the highest comfort values. Additionally, the study finds that wooden structures do not always provide the best solution, contrary to common practice. Inadequate comfort standards can lead to distress and psychological stress among occupants, highlighting the necessity to improve design and construction practices to ensure the well-being of disaster-affected populations. Finally, this study provides guidelines on the minimum requirements for the development of post-disaster shelters, advocating for solutions that are both simple and effective in rapidly addressing the critical situations that arise following disasters.

Keywords: emergency architecture; shelter design; Active House protocol; innovative constructive technologies; sustainable materials; design strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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