Skyshelter.zip, a foldable tower designed by Polish architects to provide shelter in disaster zones, has won a prestigious award in eVolo Magazine’s Skyscraper Competition.

The origami-inspired structure is to serve as a multi-purpose centre for rescue operations. It can be folded like an accordion and flown by helicopter to disaster areas.

The competition jury selected the design created by Damian Granosik, Jakub Kulisa and Piotr Pańczyk from among 526 entries.

“The number of natural disasters is growing by the year,” one of the designers, Jakub Kulisa, has told Poland's Rzeczpospolita daily. “Standard crisis management means often prove insufficient in the face of nature’s destructive forces,” he added.

“When a region is struck by an earthquake, flood or hurricane, aid must be provided promptly,” Kulisa said. “However, that is often easier said than done. Damaged infrastructure or remote locations may render the task extremely difficult. Skyshelter.zip is an attempt to address those challenges."

The design occupies 30 times less space than standard tents and container-based barracks. “This is why it takes less time to clear a given area of rubble and set up camp,” Kulisa said. (aba/gs)

Source: Rzeczpospolita