A French industrial design student has developed an innovative emergency housing system called CINTRE that uses heat-bent PVC pipes to create rapid shelters for disaster relief situations. Baptiste Marx, who completed the project while pursuing his Master's degree in Industrial Design at France's ENSCI (École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle), drew on his background in composite materials project management to create this humanitarian design solution.
Marx describes his design philosophy as being based on "contextualized object design," emphasizing an experimental and reflective approach where research plays a central role. "Sensitive to an aesthetic resulting from materials and manufacturing processes, I favor an experimental and reflective approach, where research occupies a central place," Marx explains. "Between sensitive and technical creations, I seek to develop a multidisciplinary and conscious design."
The CINTRE system addresses the urgent need for emergency housing following natural disasters or conflicts, situations where sustainable reconstruction may be delayed or impossible. The project offers a system that allows shelters to be built quickly while ensuring long-term safety and dignity for displaced populations. Using a process of hot bending PVC tubes, CINTRE provides simple yet structural assemblies that enable both interior and exterior construction of emergency shelters.
PVC pipe was chosen as the primary material due to its practical advantages in disaster scenarios. The material is resistant to moisture and corrosion thanks to its intrinsic properties, and PVC pipes are frequently available at disaster sites where they can be recovered and reused. The lightweight, modular nature of PVC makes it easy to transform without requiring heavy tools or specialized technical knowledge, lending itself to rapid implementation in emergency situations.
The joining system utilizes hose clamps, also known as flex clamps, which serve as a robust, economical, and easy-to-deploy solution suitable for large-scale humanitarian missions. This connection method allows for quick assembly while maintaining structural integrity of the emergency shelters.
Marx emphasizes that CINTRE is not intended as a fixed solution but rather as an exploratory project aimed at encouraging the development of new types of emergency housing. The system is designed to be appropriated, adapted, and enhanced by the people who use it, allowing it to respond effectively to local realities and specific needs in different disaster contexts.
Developed in partnership with the French Red Cross, CINTRE is positioned as a tool to serve affected populations that can be activated in various emergency contexts. The project aspires to be part of a collaborative approach to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
The project has generated discussion within the design community about its practical implementation. Some critics question whether the heat-bending process might be more cumbersome than using pre-made bent connectors, noting that once bent, each piece can only be used for that specific structural purpose. However, supporters argue that in emergency situations, adapting available materials may be necessary, and the ability to use the same material for both structure and connectors could prove valuable. They also point out that bent pieces could potentially be re-bent with heat application if needed for different configurations.
