eichelberger architects
Research Structure #3 (Plastic Bale Shed)
“Sometimes when I'm experimenting with a new material, really focused on a wall system, I'm transported to a 12 year old kid making a 'fort' in the backyard.”
– Doug Eichelberger
2005 – baled plastic shed
In many developing countries that have minimal drinking water and sanitation systems, plastic bottles are the products that litter the streets and land. In these same locations, housing is often lacking. This wall system would provide quick and inexpensive emergency or refugee housing. The structure is created using small bales of plastic bottles that are collected locally. Instead of a large baler, a small baler is used, allowing each finished bale to be moved and stacked by hand. The bales can be finished with indigenous mud stucco.
Structure features
- 5000 pounds of scrap plastic bottled
- Bales are created on site
- Each bale weighs 40 pounds
