ANNEX A

Architectural and Design Guidance

Item Standard Description Recommended

Criteria
Design Criteria
1. Setting-up Should be easily transportable and to setup with
limited application of construction tools.
A user-friendly set-up and installation manual
Easy
(recommended without language) shall be in
conformity with the requirements set out in the
proposed shelter solution.
1.1. Time per From few hours to up to 24 hours ≤ 1 day
unit
1.2. Manpower 2-4 persons (maximum). Increasing the number of
2-4 persons
manpower should reduce the required set up time.
1.3. Skill Should be assembled on-site with only basic tools
(Non-powered portable hand tools). Non-skilled unskilled labours
people should be able to install the proposed shelter
following the user-friendly installation manual.
2. Shape Square, Circular, L-Shape, Rectangular (L/B) <2 or appropriate for
any acceptable equivalent shapes. No political, traditional and
suburban
military and religious signs should be used including residential
the proposed colours. neighbourhoods
3. Size1 As per UNHCR Minimum shelter space standards Min 17.5m2 in
hot/tropical
climates
22.5 m2 < A < 27.5
m2 in cold
climates
4. Height The internal floor-to-ceiling height should not be less
than 2.1 meters from floor to the ceiling level (2.1 as
2.1 m < H < 2.5 m
max in cold climates). The eave level should be
more than 1.7m.
5. Life Span Should be designed to last approximately 3 years.
The shelf-life span should be designed to last more than 3
years stored under normal warehouse conditions (e.g. dry,
clean, and ventilated).
3 year – 10 years
A comprehensive user maintenance manual for the
proposed shelter which explains how users can
perform all necessary maintenance of the shelter
and clearly identifies any maintenance or other
upkeep activities that must be performed by the

1 Based on UNHCR recommended minimum standards, considering an average family size of 5

individuals
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 users during the expected life span and beyond is
highly recommended.
6. Ventilation Should be designed to optimize ventilation and entry
of direct sunlight as well as efficient indoor air
exchange. Proposed design must accommodate
ventilation systems (windows and/or ventilation
openings) suitable to the issues of air quality. Indoor
air speed should not allow for more than 0.2 m/s. ≥ 2 openings
However, the opening should ensure a passive
ventilation of minimum 35 m3/h/person.
Exhaust fumes and gases should be also eliminated
through flue pipe/opening (CO2 <1000 ppm
average).
7. Vector Should prevent or aim to be resistant to insects such Mesh/Net fixed on
control as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and small mammals ventilation
openings/window
including rats, birds and monkeys. and door
8. Maintenanc Should ensure a certain degree of sustainability,
e especially in term of longevity, resistance to adverse
weather conditions, and comfort for the users, with
cost effective/efficient implications. Consideration
shall be given to maintenance requirements within Easy
the shelter life-cycle (see life span). It should be
easily maintained by the family, easy to clean, repair
and to fix missing or broken parts from simple
materials available on local markets
9. Thermal The proposed components (roof, walls and floor, if
Resistance any) should be lightweight, of low thermal capacity
with adequate insulation or possible to upgrade with
UV ≥ 3,500 Hours
suitable insulation for extreme climatic conditions. It
should also have also an appropriate resistance to
the effects of UV sunlight exposure throughout the
proposed lifespan.
10. Fire The property of proposed materials and their
Resistance/ assemblies should prevent or retard the passage of
retardant
excessive heat, hot gases or flames under condition
or normal use. The proposed housing solution shall ≥ 2 minutes
have sufficient structure stability to consider the escape time
risks of fire, with a minimum fire-resistance rating
that allows a family of 5 members a minimum of 2
minutes escape time.
11. Water Materials should remain waterproof for heavy rains
Proof No leakage
and high humidity.
Stability and Hazards
12. Dead and Depending on the shape and material components
Live Loads of the proposed housing solution, the dead loads L.L. ≥ 100 kg/m2
required for the design should be minimal, L.L. ≥ 160 kg/m2
lightweight materials should be considered. for structural floor
However, the proposed housing solution should be
2
 designed to carry a live load on the roof of 100
kg/m2.
If the proposed shelter utilises a structural element
floor, the design live load of 160 kg/m2 on the floor
should be used.
13. Winds The proposed shelter must have a shape that
Load minimizes horizontal and vertical wind loads.
Depending on the shape and type of support/footing,
the combined wind load pressure required for the ≥ 75 km/hr
design should be a minimum of 70 kg/m2 with
special design measures that include wind uplift ≥ 70 kg/m2
forces. The proposed housing solution should be
designed to resist a wind speed of 75 km/hr (10m
height).
14. Snow Load Depending on the shape and type of roofing
material, the roof snow load required for design ≥ 100 kg/m2 for
roof snow load
should withstand up to 100 kg/m2 (based on
minimum snow load) for flat, mono-slope or gable ≥ 140 kg/m2 for
roof (15 degree). However, ground snow load of 140 ground snow load
kg/m2 should be considered for design.
15. Earthquake The proposed structure should withstand
earthquake with low risk to human life in the event of N/A
shelter failure due to the earthquake impacts.
16. Flood It is not expected that the proposed Sustainable
Housing Solution will be subjected to high-velocity N/A
wave action.
17. Rain/Storm Should be designed for heavy rains and should
include “design storm” considerations to ensure safe
≥ 70mm/hr
and economical design. It may be also possible to (15 min. period)
upgrade and use rainwater harvesting systems for
the household
Logistic Criteria
18. Weight Should be light, compactly packed for cost-effective
transport as well as reduced related carbon
100 kg ≤ w ≤ 370
footprint, be possible to store for prolonged periods kg
of time and be disposed at the end of its life span in
an environmentally friendly manner.
19. Packed Should be designed for easy transportation. It may
Volume deploy in a flat packed unit/s where no more than
two people can quickly carry the package/s and 1.0m3 ≤ V ≤ 3.5m3
assemble the shelter without the need of tools or
equipment.