This tent could save millions of lives

After the incident, Prasoon Kumar, who had worked as an architect and urban planner for over ten years, he decided to found billionBricks, a non-profit organization based in Singapore. So they designed an emergency kit that would protect homeless families of the harsh conditions they support while living in the street in winter: winterHYDE.

This concept makes them winner the A' Design Awards & Competition in the Social Design category.

The innovative use of a triple-layered flysheet makes the winterHYDE very suitable for extreme weather conditions. The reflective layer traps the family's body heat in winter, and reflects solar heat in summer.
In addition, it can be used plumbing pipes or PVC pipes to form the structure, materials which are easily available on the market. The connections between the different bars are by custom designed 3D printed joints.

The cheapest source of heat.

The simple and low-tech design enables self-deployment. Its colorful and customizable aesthetics distinguishes each shelter. Its functionality ensures flexible use and reuse as emergency shelter, a temporary home, or even a comfortable camping tent.
winterHYDE is adaptable to different whether conditions year around. The innovative use of Mylar (reflective layer of polystyrene terephthalate) makes the winterHYDE tent easily adaptable to different climates.
During cold winters, the reflective layer traps a family's body heat to keem them warm. Removing the door panels allows for a breeze, while still inside is protected from the rain.
On a sunny day, the skin can be easily reversed - in less than 5 minutes - to reflect solar heat radiation.
When it gets really hot, the skin can bee peeled open. All you need are 4 poles to span the roof, like a canopy.

It provides privacy for women.

The triple layer skin block the light and therefore it doesn't cast embarrassing shadows. The fully enclosed winterHYDE provides privacy and a safe haven for women, their children and families.

Adaptation to urban use.

The sturdy design allows winterHYDE to be deployed in tough conditions. It added weight to the frame to eliminate the need for additional anchorage. Reflective details and bright colors increase urban visibility and safety at night.

The winterHYPE prototypes have been being tested in New Delhi, India, during the last 6 months. These first units are priced at $ 199 on the web, but the team hopes to reduce the cost by half, and implement other aspects such as size and interior lighting with solar energy.
Once completed pilot tests and the design is refined, is expected to reach winterHYDE such diverse areas as the US or the Himalayas, can save the lives of thousands of homeless and refugees.