5) Description of housing product/service offering: The Global Village Shelter (herein “GVS”) is a solution for disaster relief housing and other areas in which shelter need are immediate. The present disaster relief field relies heavily on tent and tarp structures; these structures offer little protection from outdoor elements and no sense of security. The GVS 6 meter model is a rigid structure that can be assembled in the field by two people in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The GVS 20 meter model can be assembled in 20-30 minutes by 2-4 people; this model is made of 13mm polypropylene profile material. The instructions are simple graphics with limited text. The person setting up the shelter, simply unpacks the base and the roof modules and assembles the GVS on site. The design creates a simple structure that would give the affected person/ family stability (durability) and safety during a disaster or refugee situation. To accomplish durability, the shelter has a concentric “ring” structure; the shelters have withstood winds up to 80 mph. The triple wall laminate (Weatherproof Tri-Wall corrugated)has high burst strength. In conjunction with Weyerhaeuser, we developed a special coating for the shelters’ walls and roof (interior and exterior). The coating is both fire retardant (class B) and waterproof, based on ASTM E-84/ UL723 tests. The fire resistant chemical is infused into to the corrugated prior to the application of the weather proof coating. The coating used does not detract from the biodegradable quality of the corrugated Tri-Wall. The coating color is white. Safety for the inhabitants is enforced a with a dual locking door system; it locks from the interior and exterior. All corrugated edges are reinforced with polypropylene extrusions. The 20meter shelter has additional doors and windows and is built to last 2-3 years, made of reuseable and recyclable material.Both models can be used in many situations; a latrine is also being developed and will be shipped with the palletized shelters.

6) Description of innovation: Our approach emerged from an extensive amount of background research; materials, technology, shipping logistics, primary source input, market placement, and talking to any and every one we could. We started learning about the existing solutions in the disaster relief market and then patenting the GVS product. Our most intensive research went towards the manufacturing methods and corrugated machinery. It was imperative that the shelter design was configured so that it used the existing machinery to its’ largest capacity, both the Tri-wall and 13mm PP material (20M shelter).The corrugated/ profile is produced in the largest size possible and the structure is designed around the maximum sheet capacity for the material. This allows us to manufacture 500+ shelters per day. In this market it is important to produce large quantities on an 'as needed' basis. We also developed, with the help of Weyerhaeuser and their labs, a special coating that provided additional material strength and waterproofing. The research did not end with the concept and initial prototyping stages. The final product contains several refined components; every rivet has been specially chosen to be cost effective, environmentally responsible, and strongly functional. Seemingly simple elements such as the tape used to seal the corrugated flutes took extensive research regarding adhesives and the interaction with our coating, the weather outside, and many other factors. This product has been tooled and re-tooled literally 100’s of times, making us very confident in the end result. Every component was a design decision, from the white corrugate PP profile door (which allows outdoor light to filter in and maintains opacity for privacy) to the strong stainless compression rivets on the roof. Large washers are used to prevent damage to the coating on the beam and door reinforcements. The window frame and roof cap are thermoformed in the same mold to save money, material, and time.

7) Benefits to clients: At this point we have reached out to population through charitable donations. We have developed an extensive contact list and keep potential buyers up to date with new developments made by Global Village, such as our 20 meter model. Our initive in Grenada stemmed out of a donation by GVS to Architecture For Humanity of our remaining shelter prototypes. With the help of many people, we managed to ship through a donation by DHL; AFH arranged for groups in Grenada to handle set up and distribution logistics. Our shelter project in Pakistan began through conversation with the non-profit NYC Medics and Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser donated 500 shelters to Pakistan's refief efforts and the NYC Medics helped distribute and set up the first shipment of 250 units. The shipping was donated by UPS. The second shipment of 250 units was accomplished with help from the Disaster Resource Network (DRN), they provided shipping and Pakistani contacts for receiving/ distributing this shipment upon arrival. Generally speaking we have been abel to reach affected people through networking and talking to many people. We are currently working with CARE and always looking for new partners.

8) Key operational partnerships: Our primary partner is the Weyerhaeuser Company. They have offered us years of help and support in getting the GVS made and manufactured. In addition to Weyerhaeuser, we are working closely with Triple A Containers in California on the 20 meter unit.

9) Financial model: Our product is primarily bought by agencies. We have researched price points and have established materials and processes that allow us to stay competitive in this market. Price fluctuations only occur when material costs rise; this probability is factored into our retail and volume pricing.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 0

          • Financing: Our company is an LLC financed by its partners.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: The Global Village Shelter has helped thousands of people; it is impossible to give exact numbers as we do not limit how many people live in each unit. Feedback has been positive, espicially through Pakistan where the units were final manufactured product. In Pakistan a village, in addition to individually allocated units, was developed for orphans and widows; it was incredible to hear how people cried when they received their new shelter.

          • Number of clients in past year: My reply above states this- Pakistan is an ongoing project.

          • Percentage of clients that are poor or marginalized: 100

          • Potential demand: market is dependant on natural disasters. 1 million plus.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Mature stage.

          • Expansion plan: We would like to secure orders for shelters that would be kept in a stock pile for disaster relief efforts; having shelters on hand is the logical and economical solution. With on hand distribution, people will receive help with greater efficiency and speed. It is imperative that aid is distributed in such a mannar- we hope to see this strategy materialize.

12) Origin of the initiative: It started over 10 years ago and was patented in 2001. Daniel Ferrara and Mia Ferrara-Pelosi are partners in this venture.

Contact Information:
Mia  Ferrara Pelosi
Vice President and Owner
Global Village Shelters LLC
(Business)
221 Looking Glass Hill
United States
Tel: 8605674118
Fax: 8605674265
Email: mferrara@ferraradesign.com
Website: www.gvshelters.com