The idea for the Mk.1 Shelter is what led to the formation of what is now MADDEL. 

The design was developed specifically as an Emergency Response Shelter, intended for use in the initial response phase following a disaster event, and was originally designed to be manufactured from recycled cardboard.

Delivered as a flat-pack, the unit simply folds out to form the floor area, and the 2 end walls fold up from there- supporting the arched side walls/roof.  Whilst the design was brilliant, further development of the Mk. 1 Shelter was deferred when the first Transitional Shelter Standards document was published by the Shelter Centre, Geneva at around the same time.  Specifications such as weight and floor area per person meant that a compliant shelter offer would have to be of a completely new design.  MADDEL responded to this challenge with the Mk. 2 Shelter.

Interestingly, now after more than 3 years of Standards Development aimed at improving the delivery of effective shelter to displaced peoples, the major Aid Organisations and NGO's are still using tents and are yet to be offering anything remotely compliant with the Transitional Shelter Standards .  Whilst shelters with large floor areas are preferred generally, earthquake events in mountainous and hilly areas such as Pakistan & Haiti have demonstrated that sometimes there is insufficient clear level ground to use such.  The Mk.1 Shelter is a product that is perfectly suited to locations where clear level ground is scarce.

Right: Illustrations of the Mk.1 Emergency Response Shelter

Below: Scale model proto-type showing assembly steps.