# Solar Cube Refuges This Temporary Housing Unit Becomes a Home to Victims of Damaged Property By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-01-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temporary-housing-unit References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/01/09/home-away-from-home/) Plenty of designers are caught up in the competition to design the most practical [emergency shelter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anduhyaun-emergency-shelter) possible. The Temporary Housing Unit by Michel Antoun Zateef is one of such proposals that would serve to put a roof over catastrophe victims' heads. Whether it's a flood, a hurricane, an earthquake or another type of natural disaster that affects a community, this project aims to bring some comfort and many of life's necessities to people who are left homeless. The boxy dwellings are intended for short-term use only, and ideal for later transportation to another site of destruction. They can be moved easily on a truck or a train thanks to a compact form and [lightweight compressed strand board material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tetraone). The Temporary Housing Unit has [retractable solar panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000) for self-sufficient electricity, plus sleeping, cooking and bathroom facilities packed into its tiny area. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Practical Emergency Shelters:** Opportunity for innovative designs that provide comfort and necessities to victims of natural disasters. - **Compact and Lightweight Housing:** Potential for disruptive innovation in creating easily transportable housing units using lightweight materials. - **Self-sufficient Energy Solutions:** Opportunity for innovation in designing emergency shelters with retractable solar panels for electricity generation. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture and Design:** Industry can explore innovative designs for practical emergency shelters that prioritize comfort and necessities. - **Transportation and Logistics:** Industry can develop efficient transportation solutions for easily movable housing units using lightweight materials. - **Renewable Energy:** Industry can focus on developing self-sufficient energy solutions for emergency shelters, such as retractable solar panels. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Origami-Inspired Disaster Relief Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prefab-folding-pods.md) - [Humanized Waiting Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/de-wachtkamer.md) - [Eco-Friendly Modular Refugee Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allspace-1.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) - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Compactly Cubical Camping Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubical-camping-shelters.md) - [Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drop-pod.md) - [Modular Tent Classroom Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zaha-hadid-architects-2.md)