Good wood for emergencies
Properties can be constructed quickly for residents who have lost homes
PEOPLE affected by natural disasters in the Valencia region – such as forest fires or floods – will be able to use emergency wooden homes that can be assembled very quickly in their municipalities.
The prototype of the design, which has been produced by Valencia polytechnic university (UPV), was unveiled this week.
A spokesman for the regional housing department revealed that the wooden structure measures 30 square metres.
He assured that the properties can be constructed ‘quickly and safely’ – and that they are easy to put up and take down.
The trial wooden home was set up this week at the UPV campus area in Valencia.
The spokesman said that next week it will be taken to Alicante, where it will be installed in a zone close the city’s cemetery.
Changing the construction industry
He added that another of their objectives is to ‘ensure that wood is one of the materials which lead the ecological transition’, noting that it is ‘sustainable due to its natural qualities’ and will help to reduce carbon emissions.
Part of the project carried out by the university department via the Cátedra Maderamen initiative is to ‘make people think about the environmental
impact of the construction industry’.
They have highlighted the
importance of using natural materials which can form part of a ‘circular process’, so reducing the carbon footprint of the sector.
Regional director for energy efficiency, renovation and quality, Alberto Rubio said: “We have to lead and pilot the processes towards a transformation of the construction sector to make sure that it is more respectful to the environment.”
He stated that wooden homes could form part of a ‘new model’ for the building industry in the Valencia region. They are the fruit of a ‘design and build’ project at the university.
Director Begoña Serrano said it had allowed students to play an active role and put their talents to work outside the classroom.