Butterfly Homes: Emergency shelters that unfold in minutes

Manila Philippines – There are 4.1 million displaced as a result of the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), according to the UN. Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan was one of the most catastrophic storms in the world.  

Could fold-up mass manufactured homes be the solution to meet the high demand for permanent and emergency shelters?

Businessman and founder of Butterfly.PH, Rogelio “Vonz” Santos Jr, believes they are. “Butterfly House is a steel-framed housing structure that can be folded for compact shipping and storage, and unfolded into an immediately livable structure. The housing system is quick to deploy to its target areas and can be setup in less than 5 minutes.” And it is much better than living in a tent.

There are two prototypes, one is 11sqm, and the second one, called the ‘monarch,’ is 26 sqm. Both prototypes have a height of 8ft and when folded shrinks to 8.5ft by 2ft 4in wide.

The exterior can be made from marine plywood (same material used for boats). 

There is also a lower cost option, which uses sawali (bamboo) exterior to better blend with the local community and environment.  

A third option is poly-carbonate (plastic) that is more durable and lasts even longer.” 

Permanent housing solution   

The system can also be a viable solution for low-cost permanent housing. 

Santos notes, “The structural price for a unit is P2500 per sqm.”  

Santos says, “The Butterfly House System poses the questions, ‘Do we necessarily have to defy nature?  Rather, can we flow with it better?’  That said, what if it was possible- with enough lead time- for one to simply ‘fold’ their Butterfly house?  

It places people in an evacuation mode – which is the proper response.  At the same time, a folded Butterfly house becomes a large chunk of compressed steel that, once the storm is over, has a higher potential for structural survivability.”

Pilot project in Estancia, Iloilo

The first pilot of the Butterfly House System will be implemented in Estancia, Iloilo.

Justin Garrido, a representative of the Butterfly.PH team says, “We are doing a pilot family acceptance testing and local community for the first five homes, the construction of 15 homes will be matched by donors, both private and individual.”

WATCH Butterfly.PH demo

Unveiling 

The unveiling will take place on Monday, February 17, 2014 from 10am-2pm at the Mind Museum canopy in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines. 

Santos says, “Our objective is to share this innovation with the Philippines, and we hope to excite the Filipinos all around the world to take action for the country on all levels.

“I personally want Filipinos all over to know that our minds and talents are needed now – along with our hearts- and I encourage all to innovate for today and for the future.” 

Full pricing for the Butterfly House System will be discussed at Monday’s launch event. For additional information or inquiries visit www.butterfly.ph. 

SocialProject.ph will also be launching a crowdfunding campaign for the Butterfly House. – by Matt Lapid/Rappler.com