KOCHI: Portable bamboo shelters could become a boon for many refugees seeking shelter during disasters like floods or tsunami.

A prototype of the portable bamboo house was unfolded on Wednesday as part of a joint venture by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and Inspiration, a Kochi-based architectural and designing firm.

The rectangular structure which was installed in 10 minutes opened into a 200-sq ft house with eight supports and steel base. The material used in the construction is bamboo. The roof is wood-free acrylic.

There is a ventilation shaft and the whole structure stands 80cm above ground. Ideally, it is a relief structure during disasters. It can be used as a rehabilitation housing for slum dwellers and migrant labourers in urban areas.

“Two or three units can be joined together for bigger families. If industries come forward, we can start the construction,” said Jaigopal of the Inspiration.

The firm made the design by using KFRI technology. He said that it could cost around Rs 1 lakh and could be readied in a month in the factory.

The structure uses bamboo mat board as the principal component while the support and joineries are of steel. The entire structure can be packed in a slot of 40 sq ft plinth area. “Housing revolution has started. We can develop this into ‘Laksham Veedu”’ said Sankaran, director, KFRI.

Speaking about the advantages of bamboo, the fastest growing grass, KFRI scientist Gunaharan said that bamboo’s tensile strength was its biggest value. He said that the no-loan risk was taken into consideration by the use of steel, wood and glass in the house.

“Bamboo houses are becoming popular in eco-tourism sector. Resorts and offices have started using bamboo. The KFRI and Inspiration have jointly built a demonstration residential block in Nilambur forest area,” he said.

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