One of the top stories on the BBC technology website this week was the video showing a concrete tent of all things. Sounds mad, the inventors Will Crawford and Peter Brewin show off their invention and explain how it works.
The idea
The two engineers came up with the idea while at university – The tent is made of a new fabric that when you spray it with water it turns into concrete within 24 hours. This would allow aid teams to construct solid structures in emergency zones easily and quickly – and has a possible lifespan of approximately 10 years. The design can cope with most weather conditions thrown at it and can be built by anyone with absolutely no training. Within hours of a crisis, the shelters can be set up and ready to live in.
It’s easy to see how and where the concrete tent invention could be used. Take Japan for example where a reported 100,000 people were displaced by the earthquake and tsunami.
With many of the people huddled in makeshift shelters, the need for better quality emergency shelters its obvious and would lessen the human damage and provide a measure of safety and comfort for victims of such disasters.
Award winning
The original design won a number of awards – including the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas. The only problem is that at the moment they cost at least £10,000 each so its less likely to go into mass production. I’m also not sure that money is well spent – it be used for food, water, medical supplies and cheaper temporary shelters.
It seems a shame that such a great idea that could clearly make a difference might be sidelined.
Take a look at the video where the inventors give a full demo and speak about what inspired them to make it.
What do you think?
Is this a word changing idea? Is it enough that a design is an award winner to make it a commercial success? Let us know your thoughts on the concrete tent, comment below.