I had a thought quite some time ago about how to restore living conditions in under-developed countries after an earthquake occurs. It seemed fruitless to rebuild average homes for moderate to low income families with what they had before, only to repeat the disaster time and again.

As one of my interests is problem solving I came up with an unusual, but possibly practical solution to this housing situation, it's called, "The Egg Shaped House." Before any of you laugh to hard, or think this is totally science fiction, remember, science fiction often becomes science fact and I'm hoping by posting this message, the chain of order may emerge and someone out there may receive the seed of thought to bring this idea into reality, though possibly a little differently.

This is not for use in the USA. It would be in foreign countries where funds are quite limited as well as building resources. Imagine this house, shaped like an egg is made out of fiberglass on the exterior so it doesn't wear out easily. It would be a preassembled in sections and when it arrives where needed, the sections would be joined together. The size would depend on the number of occupants who will occupy it. Holding the Egg would be a frame that would attach to the top and have a stabilizing unit at the bottom. So as earthquakes come and go, while the house may move, it won't be moving very far.

It could be modernized so that every cabinet, fold out bed and every section of it would be made for easy storage and use. Heating could be arranged to suit the climate of the area. Ideas for exterior and interior colors would be fun to work out and efficiency, not unlike a space craft could be utilized in modern housing. No need for chopping down trees, a little cement and some good heavy duty steel could be used for the frame work and suddenly, the homeless issues from devastating earthquakes could be solved.

Of course funding would have to be gathered in advance and the units prepared so that when earthquakes in certain countries occurred and there was widespread home damage, these prefabricated units, light in weight could be shipped within 30 days and those left with only rubble could then be the occupants of a new home.

Feedback would be appreciated. I'd like you to imagine this could be accomplished and ask you to add your thoughts as to how this idea could be improved.

Petra