THE ‘SHELTER’ ALMOST SAVED BY HENDRICK DE KEYSER

Abstract

The ‘Shelter’ is a fantastic example of a circular plastic house with a diameter of 8 m that is somehow comparable to the ‘Futuro’. It was conceived by the Dutch interior architect Kor Aldershoff, who developed a prototype in glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) shells held on a metal frame (1971). This kind of house is unique for the Netherlands and therefore of great importance. The ‘Shelter’ was meant for providing a home for refugees in Africa. The prototype was light and could also float on water. The production of the metal supporting frame was entrusted to the Nederlandse Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (N.D.S.M.) in Amsterdam-Noord and the GRP parts to the firm Resicon in Medemblik. The hall, living room and one bedroom were arranged around an empty column for the disposal of rainwater.