AD SPACE HERE

World First: Japan Builds Disaster-Ready ‘Glamping’ Homes from Wood

Fully durable mobile homes can be repurposed for rapid response.


Wed 09 Oct 24

SHARE

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.”

24 1536x1024 1
A glamping trailer house exhibited for disaster prevention purposes at “Roadside Station Ide” located in Iitoyo-cho, Yamagata Prefecture, is now available using SGEC-certified materials.

“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.

In the event of a disaster, glamping mobile homes can be quickly converted into disaster prevention bases and play an important role in ensuring the community’s safety. In normal times, it functions as a tourist facility where visitors can feel in harmony with nature.

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.

A4922 Paper Log Houses by Shigeru Ban Recyclable Materials and Architecture Image 1 1024x575.jpg
For more (almost) 30 years, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been at the forefront of the push to use cardboard, paper, bamboo and timber in sustainable design. (Photo Credit: Shigeru Ban via Joel Saget)

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.

Author

  • Jason Ross

    Jason Ross, publisher, is a 15-year professional in building and construction, connecting with more than 400 specifiers. A Gottstein Fellowship recipient, he is passionate about growing the market for wood-based information. Jason is Wood Central's in-house emcee and is available for corporate host and MC services.

spot_img

Related Articles