As one of the world’s most disaster-prone areas, Japan is constantly on the lookout for new ways to better prepare for natural disasters, such as changing building regulations to minimise damage and save lives.
That includes “glamping” with Tokyo-based ADC, using PEFC-certified timbers to develop a new mobile home that can be fully repurposed to aid authorities in preparing for and responding to earthquakes and other disasters.
Showcased at the “Disaster Prevention Station” late last year, the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (SGEC) reports that it is the first of its kind in Japan “to combine sustainable forestry with timber and safety.”
“By using PEFC and SGEC-certified timber, we aim to reduce our environmental impact based on the philosophy of sustainable forest management,” the Tokyp-based company said.
Designed by AD&C, the glamping mobile home has several disaster-prevention functions and is equipped with certified timber materials: “The wood is procured from J-credit registered and SGEC-certified forests in cooperation with Yamasan Tree Farm in Misato Town, Miyazaki Prefecture and NPO Nishibayashi,” according to SGEC.
Japan has spent decades repurposing forest products for disasters.
Last month, Wood Central revealed that Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has spent 30 years perfecting a Paper Log Cabin, which is now used in war-torn and earthquake-impacted zones, including Rwanda, Syria, Turkey, India, China, Italy, Haiti, and his home country of Japan.
Wood Central understands the cabins are raised atop beer crates primarily constructed from paper and wood. Their rapid assembly process makes them an ideal solution for temporary shelter in multiple disaster-prone regions, including Japan and Korea.
“Architects are not building temporary housing because we are too busy building for the privileged people… I am not saying I am against building monuments, but I think we can work more for the public,” said Mr Ban, who revealed an updated version of his 1995 design last year.
- Click here for Wood Central’s special feature to learn more about Paper Logs and how Japanese architects are now developing Paper Partition Systems (PPS) to help with temporary evacuation shelters.