Saint Louis University

School of Engineering and Architecture

Design Concept: Proposed Emergency

Shelter
3865 Architectural Structures

BY

2195695
15 May 2023

This paper showcases the design concept proposed for the emergency shelter that caters to the
needs of one household during a disaster in Baguio City.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 …………………………………………………………..….…..3

1.1 Introduction ………….………………………………………..………………………..3

1.2 Emergency Shelter ……………….………………………...……………..……..……..3

1.3 Design Concepts and Solutions…………………………………….…………..………4

1.3.1 Floor Plan ………………………...…………………..…….…………..………...4

1.3.2 Elevations ……………………………………………………………...….……...5

1.3.3 Perspectives ……………...……………...……………...……..…………..……...6

1.4 Conclusion ……………………………………………….………….…………………..8

1.5 References ……………………………………………..…………………………….…..9

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CHAPTER I

1.1 Introduction

Major cities in the Philippines face challenges related to disaster and climate change (Asian Development
Bank, 2021). Baguio is one of the country’s most vulnerable cities to climate change impacts. Due to its
location, topography, soil type, and land use, it faces natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods,
landslides (triggered by extreme rainfalls), earthquakes, and wildfires. Furthermore, Baguio is located in a
typhoon belt and receives an average of five tropical cyclones a year. Tropical cyclones are associated
with extreme rainfalls and high wind speeds, which result in floods and landslides as well as damage to
the infrastructure (Chepelianskaia, 2023).

In addition, the city has a high risk of earthquake disasters due to its proximity to active faults. For
example, the magnitude 7.8 or “Luzon Earthquake” dated last 16 th of July 1990 that caused loss of lives
and major damage to infrastructures, the magnitude 7.0 last 27 th of July 2022, and the recent earthquake
with a magnitude of 2.2 as well as its aftershocks (PHIVOLCS, n.d.).

To address the immediate needs of affected households with damaged houses and help them transition to
the early recovery stage, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was directed to
implement Emergency Shelter Assistance (DSWD, n.d.).

1.2 Emergency Shelter

Emergency Shelter is meant to assist family victims of disaster to acquire decent shelter. It is made
available to family victims whose houses were totally or partially destroyed by either natural or human-
induced disasters (DSWD, n.d.).

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1.3 Design Concepts and Solutions

1.3.1 Floor
Plan

Figure 1. Typical Floor Plan (One Household)

For the base of the emergency shelter, a hexagonal shape was adopted as the concept. It was
considered one of the most efficient ways of covering a surface, given that a hexagonal grid uses the least

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number of separating walls (Upadhyaya, n.d.) or another term, it fills a plane with equal size units and

leaves no wasted space (Koh, n.d.).

1.3.2 Elevations

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Figure 2. Front Elevation

The figure above shows the materials used for the emergency shelter. Furthermore, its physical
feature was adapted from the classic bell-type tent but its exterior walls were different in construction
method for the users to easily assemble or construct the shelter.

Figure 3. Rear Elevation

Figure 3 shows the dimensions of the proposed project. It was elevated 0.20m from the natural
grade line in case of flooding in the provided evacuation area.

1.3.3. Perspectives

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Figure 4. Auxiliary
Perspective

The figure shows the 3D detail of the proposed project on how was it constructed. The shelter can
accommodate a maximum of 6 persons (equivalent to one household) and 1 family pet. A first aid kit,
lamp, water container, portable stove, and other surviving utensils were also provided. Green represents
peace, balance, and harmony.

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Figure 5. Perspective without the upper tent cover.

With the help of tent mesh fabric, it allows natural light and ventilation to enter and circulate
inside the shelter.

Figure 6. Perspective without exterior wall

1.3.4. Design Concepts

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Figure 7. Classic Bell-type Tent

A bell-type tent is suitable for the project which can accommodate a large number of users.

Figure 8. Nylon Tent Fabric

Nylon is a light material, ensuring the carry weight of the tent stays at an absolute minimum.
Nylon tents also tend to be among the most affordable tents on the market. Ripstop weave in the fabric of
a nylon tent makes it strong and durable.

1.4 Conclusion

It is better to design concepts in their simplest form to easily accommodate and answer
the needs of the users in every situation.

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1.5 References

A Guide to Tent Material. (n.d.). The Camping and Caravanning Club.

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/equipment/choosing-your-tent-materials/

Asian Development Bank. (2021, December 14). Helping the Philippines' Baguio City Smarten Up

Against Disasters. Asian Development Bank. https://www.adb.org/news/features/helping-

philippines-baguio-city-smarten-against-disasters

Chepelianskaia, O. (2023, March). Regional: Establishing a Platform for ClimateResilient and Low-

Carbon Urban Development Baguio City, Philippines: Climate Change Assessment. ADB

Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Project Number: 52304-001.

https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/52304/52304-001-tacr-en_6.pdf

Department of Social Welfare and Development. (n.d.). Emergency Shelter Assistance. DSWD Field

Office I Official Website. https://fo1.dswd.gov.ph/emergency-shelter-assistance/

PHIVOLCS. (n.d.). PRESS RELEASE: DOST-PHIVOLCS CALLS FOR EARTHQUAKE-RESILIENT

BUILDINGS IN BAGUIO CITY. Department of Science and Technology.
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/15600-press-release-dost-phivolcs-calls-for-
earthquake-resilient-buildings-in-baguio-city

Upadhyaya, N. (n.d.). Architizer. Hive Mind: Architects are Making Heroes of Hexagonal Forms.
https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/hive-mind-hexagonal-forms-hero/

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