Invented to serve as a quick, sturdy shelter for emergencies, this could also be of immense value in the long emergency endured by the burgeoning homeless — assuming cities and towns would allow them on public land and/or homeowners in their own yards. I especially like that the LifeCube is modular, can be combined for larger structures if needed. Heck, now that my son Colin lives in the house next door, it is my fondest wish to persuade my other son, Sean, and his family, to move to Bloomington, set up their household in my house, and I’d move to the back yard. Was thinking of a yurt (which I lived in for 18 years), but this kind of shelter might do fine. The smaller and simpler, the better. Thanks to care2.com.
Hurricane Irene Survivors Could Find Shelter In LifeCube
by Beth Buczynski
August 28, 2011
Storms like the one currently bearing down on the U.S. East Coast are exactly why life-long builder/inventor, Michael Conner decided to put his talents to work designing a rugged, reliable shelter that can be erected with minimal effort or preparation.
What Conner came up with is LifeCube: a structure that combines the the cost/logistical advantages of the standard canvas tent and the utility of a trailer, with the speed and expandability of breakthrough inflatable technology. LifeCube is the only 144 square foot shelter that can be deployed by 2 people within 5 minutes.
Within the self-contained shipping cube are sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, First Aid kit, propane cook top, dining utensils, tools, a water filtration device and food and water supplies.
Multiple doorways allow separate units to be zipped and clustered together to accommodate families and large groups. Life Cube’s patented structural beam design will withstand 50 mph sustained winds, and its air-tight design ensures that additional inflation is never needed.
The LifeCube has already been made available to the Red Cross, as well as military and community organizations where it can be used to sustain life in adverse environments. Whether it will come into play as communities begin to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Irene remains to be seen.
