Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has destroyed over two million homes in the country. With approximately 3.7 million internally displaced persons, the housing shortage is enormous.
Obos Myresjöhus has developed an emergency dwelling of 16.9 square metres with space for up to four people. The house is manufactured from simple and renewable materials: stud timber, plywood and OSB, with a corrugated sheet metal roof. The house is insulated with mineral wool and handles temperatures from -25 to +40 °C. With a wood-burning stove installed, two kilos of wood is enough to heat the house from -20 to +20 °C. The building system is flexible and can be adapted to the needs of those moving in. For example, walls can easily be moved so windows and doors are positioned where most suitable. The houses can also be extended.
“The goal was to develop a cost-effective, flexible and scalable emergency dwelling,” says Tobias Jansson, factory manager at Myresjöhus.
Dwellings in flat packs to facilitate transport
The dwellings are delivered in flat packs, which facilitates transport. Eight dwellings fit in one lorry. So far, two sets have been delivered to Ukraine: eight dwellings to Poltava, and an equal number to a reception centre for internally displaced persons near the city of Dnipro.
In Poltava, the dwellings have been painted and fitted with water and electricity. Each house now serves as permanent housing for four people, and has made it possible for families to stay together.
“The dwellings sent to Poltava have made a major difference for the families who moved in. Evaluations show the model works – it’s possible to quickly provide people with a roof over their heads in an extremely difficult situation,” says Joakim Henriksson, CEO Obos Sweden.
Text: Carl-Johan Liljegren Photo: OBOS
