Ikea is expanding its mission beyond stylish furniture and affordable home decor; it’s now focused on creating a brighter future for displaced individuals. Through its initiative “Better Shelter,” developed in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Swedish retailer has designed a sustainable, quick-assembly housing solution for refugees. Composed of recyclable materials, these shelters can be put together in a matter of hours.
Recognized with the esteemed Beazley Design of the Year award by the Design Museum in London, this innovative flat-pack shelter can accommodate a family of five. It features thermal insulation and solar panels, allowing inhabitants to access light and electricity. These modular homes are weather-resistant and can endure moderate climates for up to three years. A standout characteristic of the Better Shelter is its straightforward assembly, which is a notable departure from Ikea’s typical product experiences.
A recent video highlights the ease of setting up these shelters and their superior comfort compared to traditional emergency tents often associated with refugee situations. “Better Shelter addresses a crucial contemporary issue: providing safe living spaces in extraordinary circumstances, whether due to conflict or natural disasters,” remarks Elena Morgan, a design expert at Kingston University.
The Better Shelter initiative aims to offer a more dignified and secure temporary home for the approximately 65 million people displaced globally due to disasters or violence, including 20 million children, as reported by UNICEF. Despite its promise, the cost of each shelter at $1,150—twice that of standard refugee tents—poses a challenge. The UNHCR relies heavily on global voluntary contributions, with the United States being the largest donor. However, individuals can also support the initiative through donations on their website.
Those involved in the Better Shelter project express mixed feelings about receiving the design award. “We accept this recognition with a sense of irony,” states Mark Taylor, the interim managing director of Better Shelter. “While we appreciate the acknowledgment of innovative design, we are mindful that it stems from a pressing humanitarian need.”
To explore more about the Better Shelter project, visit their site, www.BetterShelter.org. Contributions can also be made through the UNHCR website.
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In summary, Ikea’s Better Shelter initiative represents a significant advancement in providing dignified housing for refugees, demonstrating the potential of design to address urgent humanitarian needs.