Easy Shelter

iDE

A multi-purpose water basin and toilet for rural households.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

Easy Shelter is a multi-purpose water basin and toilet for rural households designed by iDE as part of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative they are developing in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The iDE WASH program is currently available in seven countries: Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

IDE Global

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

350 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Safe Haven Bathhouse, Dry-San Hygienic Rural Toilet, and Namma Toilet

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 6: Clear water and sanitation

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Rural households

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Some parts of the Easy Shelter are prefabricated in a local factory and transported to the household property for assembly and installation. This group includes concrete foundation footing, concrete columns, concrete wall panels, metal tubes roof, concrete basins, and squatting toilet. The parts executed on-site include excavation, floor installation, pipes installation, and painting.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trademarked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Users can obtain the product through local sellers

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Since 2011, iDE’s program in Cambodia facilitated the sale of over 275,000 Easy Shelter toilets and it was expected to add 150,000 toilets by 2018.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Unique Design (Yes/No)

Indication of whether design can be replicated in multiple locations

Intended number of occupants (#)

Number of individuals. 1 family = 5 persons.

1 occupant

Duration of construction (days)

Number of days from start of construction to completion

1.5 days

Footprint area (m²)

Surface area of footprint

5.12 m²

Internal volume (m³)

Internal volume

Number of storeys

Number of occupiable floors (ground floor only = 1)

1 storey

Material composition

Primary materials used

The foundation is made of concrete footing base and beams. The walls are composed of prefabricated reinforced concrete columns and reinforced concrete panels. The roof is made of a metal tube structure and covered with corrugated tin panels. The floor is built with ceramic tiles over a skim concrete base and the basin and squatting toilet with prefabricated concrete.

Flammable flash point temperature (ºC)

Combustion temperature

Unknown

Thermal insulating capacity (m²*K/W)

Composite estimated R-value

Unknown

Maximum wind speed (km/h)

As calculated by designer

Unknown

Maximum snow load (kg/m³)

As calculated by designer

Structural Occupancy Category

Based upon primary structural system as per the International Building Code

Seismic Design Category

Based upon Structural Occupancy Category and soil conditions of site; as per the International Building Code

Unknown

Suitable Climates

List of suitable climates for use of this design

Tropical

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Easy Shelter layout includes two modules of 1.6 x 1.6 m where one of the modules corresponds to an exterior area with a 937 L water basin and the second module is the room for the toilet. The toilet includes an interior 311 L water basin and a squatting toilet. The toilet’s roof is made of metal tube structure and corrugated tin panels with a rainwater gutter. Designers calculated the amount of water collected by the rainwater gutter will be close to 5000 L per year, considering Cambodia’s annual average rainfall. This amount should be enough for filling both the exterior and interior basins.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Technical support Technical support provided by

Unknown

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Unknown

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Unknown

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Multi-functional use

Easy Shelter allows multiple users to utilize the toilet/shower and the exterior water basin at the same time without compromising privacy.

Rainwater collection

The producer estimated the amount of rainwater collected by the rainwater gutter could be close to 5000 L per year. The amount of water that can be collected in the exterior basin is 973 L and the interior basin 311 m. This allow the user to have uninterrupted access to “clean-looking” water.

Construction growth

The manufacturer states the possibility to add a new construction to the shelter without additional work.

Construction system

The prefabrication allows the builder to work in a controlled environment where they can do their measurements more quickly and easily, and produce concrete components faster and more precisely. Working off-site also freed the building from personal oversight from the user. The materials used help to minimize the use of skilled production labor.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

The manufacturer performed user testing, including 1:1 interviews, co-creation methods, and observation, on low-, medium-, and high-resolution prototypes to inform various design parameters. iDE also conducted a space perception test on the high-res prototypes to select a final design.

More detailed results can be found here.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

No third-party organizations, only testing performed by the designer.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Later versions of Easy Shelter include the use of concrete blocks for the construction of the walls and the adaptation of the design to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

None

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

None

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

User testing

Other information

None

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The iDE WASH program is currently available in seven countries: Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

IDE Global

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

350 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Safe Haven Bathhouse, Dry-San Hygienic Rural Toilet, and Namma Toilet

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 6: Clear water and sanitation

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Rural households

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trademarked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Users can obtain the product through local sellers

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Since 2011, iDE’s program in Cambodia facilitated the sale of over 275,000 Easy Shelter toilets and it was expected to add 150,000 toilets by 2018.

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Unique Design (Yes/No)

Indication of whether design can be replicated in multiple locations

Intended number of occupants (#)

Number of individuals. 1 family = 5 persons.

1 occupant

Duration of construction (days)

Number of days from start of construction to completion

1.5 days

Footprint area (m²)

Surface area of footprint

5.12 m²

Internal volume (m³)

Internal volume

Number of storeys

Number of occupiable floors (ground floor only = 1)

1 storey

Material composition

Primary materials used

Flammable flash point temperature (ºC)

Combustion temperature

Unknown

Thermal insulating capacity (m²*K/W)

Composite estimated R-value

Unknown

Maximum wind speed (km/h)

As calculated by designer

Unknown

Maximum snow load (kg/m³)

As calculated by designer

Structural Occupancy Category

Based upon primary structural system as per the International Building Code

Seismic Design Category

Based upon Structural Occupancy Category and soil conditions of site; as per the International Building Code

Unknown

Suitable Climates

List of suitable climates for use of this design

Tropical

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Technical support Technical support provided by

Unknown

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Unknown

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Unknown

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Multi-functional use

Easy Shelter allows multiple users to utilize the toilet/shower and the exterior water basin at the same time without compromising privacy.

Rainwater collection

Construction growth

The manufacturer states the possibility to add a new construction to the shelter without additional work.

Construction system

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

More detailed results can be found here.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

No third-party organizations, only testing performed by the designer.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Later versions of Easy Shelter include the use of concrete blocks for the construction of the walls and the adaptation of the design to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

Research & standards

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

None

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

None

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

User testing

Other information

None

Feedback

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

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In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors