Bangladesh Prefabricated Houses
The prefabricated houses in Bangladesh are characterized by their mobility, ease of assembly and disassembly, adaptability to disaster environments, and relatively low cost.
Design Intent and Background
Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum designed movable prefabricated houses to address the issue of frequent family relocations caused by the shifting river channels in the Bangladesh Delta. These houses aim to solve the living difficulties brought about by floods and land erosion. Through modular design, they enable rapid assembly, disassembly, and relocation, allowing residents to move the houses to safe areas during disasters and even pass them down through generations.
Typical Cases and Functional Characteristics
- Prefabricated Houses at the Sharjah Exhibition: Marina Tabassum showcased three prefabricated houses at the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. The complete sets of parts for these houses can be purchased in the Bangladeshi market, and the assembly and disassembly processes are straightforward. This design makes them an ideal choice for flood-prone areas, as the houses can be relocated according to the situation of land erosion, avoiding the cost of repeated construction.
- Pocket House Khudi Bari: Proposed in 2020, this mobile modular house features a two-story structure. During floods, the upper floor can be used for refuge. Its core advantage lies in its hand-built and disassemblable nature, allowing residents to transport and reassemble it without professional tools. The exterior combines traditional stilt houses with simplified spherical structures, preserving cultural characteristics while enhancing structural stability.
Material and Cost Advantages
Khudi Bari primarily uses bamboo, steel, and corrugated steel sheets as materials. These materials are readily available locally in Bangladesh. Bamboo is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, while steel and corrugated steel sheets provide structural support. The cost of a single house is approximately $500, much lower than that of traditional houses, making it particularly suitable for economically disadvantaged groups. The modular design further reduces maintenance costs, as damaged parts can be replaced individually, extending the house's lifespan.
Application Scenarios and Promotional Value
These types of houses have been applied in areas such as the Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh. Their rapid deployment capability plays a crucial role in emergency resettlement. For example, the refugee camp can quickly build temporary shelters using standardized modules while retaining the possibility of future relocation or upgrading. Additionally, the intergenerational inheritance characteristic of the houses aligns with local cultural practices, reducing resource waste caused by relocations.
