# Plastic Crate Shelters These Shelters are Made with Easily Accessible Materials By Michael Baxter | Published 2014-05-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-crate-shelter References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/lau-architecture-students-assemble-emergency-shelter-plastic-crates-ties-04-30-2014/) & [lau.edu.lb](http://www.lau.edu.lb/) These plastic crate shelters were created by third year architecture students as an alternative for those who need something sturdy and easy to make. There are a few support columns, but other than that the shelters are made out of [zip ties and crates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfold-form) exclusively. As the race to weed out the concept of homelessness continues, we're seeing more and more [inventive ways to procure shelter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anduhyaun-emergency-shelter). This particular shelter gives the user natural light and wind while also being sturdy and easy enough to maintain. Every crate can be used as a storage unit as well as a chair or table making for a customizable experience for the user. Their shelter can be filled with as many furnishings as they can fit and they'll always have room to store their belongings. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/lau-architecture-students-assemble-emergency-shelter-plastic-crates-ties-04-30-2014/), [lau.edu.lb](http://www.lau.edu.lb/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## 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 - **Alternative Shelters:** The use of easily accessible materials for building shelters presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the housing industry. - **Customizable Living Spaces:** Designing shelters that allow for personalization with multi-functional furniture offers disruptive innovation potential in the interior design industry. - **Sustainable Architecture:** Creating shelters that maximize natural light and ventilation provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the construction industry, promoting eco-friendly practices. ### Where This Applies - **Housing:** Developing affordable and easily constructed alternative shelters presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the housing industry. - **Interior Design:** Designing customizable living spaces using versatile furniture materials opens up disruptive innovation possibilities in the interior design industry. - **Construction:** Incorporating sustainable architecture practices into shelter construction presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the construction industry, promoting environmental consciousness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Humanized Waiting Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/de-wachtkamer.md) - [Modular Umbrella-Made Trading Stalls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umbrella-crate-stall.md) - [Origami-Inspired Disaster Relief Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prefab-folding-pods.md) - [Experimental Shelter Tents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grayhus.md) - [Climate Relief Temporary Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/additive-manufacturing-homes-crisis.md) - [Disaster-Ready Housing Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/essential-homes.md) - [Modular Tent Classroom Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zaha-hadid-architects-2.md) - [Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-roomsets.md) - [Mountainous Repurposed Crate Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crate-installation.md)