# Semi-Permanent Self-Assemble Shelters Ikea-Designed Refugee Shelters Last Longer than Tents By Meghan Young | Published 2013-06-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikeadesigned-refugee-shelters References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/1682416/a-new-ingeniously-designed-shelter-for-refugees-made-by-ikea) & [ikea](http://www.ikea.com/) The tents the United Nations erects for recently displaced refugees begin to disintegrate afte six months, a time frame that doesn't often coincide with finding a new, permanent home; [Ikea](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-employment-for-refugees)-designed refugee shelters hopes to make the transition much easier. Built to last 10 times that long, these shelters were created in joint effort with the [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-sunset) (UNCHR). Packaged just like other Ikea products, the Ikea-designed refugee shelters take about four hours to assemble. At 17.5 square meters, they are twice as large as the [typical tent](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snow-peak-land-nest-shelter) and can hold five people comfortably. Each one is made out of lightweight Rhulite plastic mounted on a supersteel skeleton. The Ikea-designed refugee shelters will begin rolling out in July. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Semi-permanent Shelters:** The development of semi-permanent shelters provides an innovative solution for long-term refugee housing needs. - **Self-assemble Technology:** The use of self-assemble technology in designing refugee shelters offers a time-efficient and cost-effective solution for emergency housing. - **Collaborative Design Partnership:** Collaborations between organizations like Ikea and the United Nations create opportunities for disruptive innovation in the humanitarian sector. ### Where This Applies - **Construction Materials:** The construction materials industry can explore the use of lightweight, durable materials like Rhulite plastic to develop more sustainable and long-lasting shelters. - **Furniture and Homeware:** The furniture and homeware industry can leverage self-assemble technology to create versatile products that are easy to transport, assemble, and customize. - **Humanitarian Aid:** The humanitarian aid industry can embrace collaborative design partnerships to develop innovative solutions that address the long-term housing needs of refugees. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco-Friendly Modular Refugee Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allspace-1.md) - [Refugee-Supporting Workplace Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-employment-for-refugees.md) - [Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-roomsets.md) - [Humanized Waiting Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/de-wachtkamer.md) - [Modular Tent Classroom Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zaha-hadid-architects-2.md) - [Origami-Inspired Disaster Relief Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prefab-folding-pods.md) - [Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unwelcome-home.md) - [Quick Inflatable Spacious Tents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cube-tent.md) - [Disaster-Ready Housing Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/essential-homes.md)