Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

The earthquake on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş, had a significant impact on numerous cities in Turkey and Syria, along with the subsequent aftershocks. This once again underscored the significance of purposeful and practical designs tailored to address extraordinary conditions before, during, and after disasters. Ranging from pre-disaster public awareness kits to post-disaster lightweight, easy-to-install shelter units, we have compiled a list of designs developed with a focus on natural disasters, honored with iF Design Awards—one of the most prestigious design accolades globally.


Earthquake Kit Service “SF Prep”


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.


In 1906 and 1989, San Francisco was hit by major earthquakes, and today, it is known that two-thirds of the population in this earthquake-prone city is unprepared for disasters. After conducting extensive research on the reasons behind residents’ lack of preparedness for earthquakes and how to motivate them, Lunar California has developed an Earthquake Kit called SF Prep. SF Prep, an online subscription-based service, comprises a kit that includes instructions for disaster preparedness and the necessary products. The kit is delivered to the residents of the city within 6 months. You can explore the project, awarded in the Professional Concept / Research and Development category at the iF Design Awards 2014 here.


Daegu Earthquake Disaster Package & Safety Manual


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

Daegu-Gyeongbuk in South Korea is identified as an earthquake-prone region. Despite this, research has revealed that citizens’ awareness of earthquake safety is not at a sufficient level. To address this issue, the Earthquake Disaster Package was developed by Design Sun for the Daegu Metropolitan Natural Disaster Department and was launched in 2019. The guide includes content covering situations before, during, and after an earthquake, along with illustrations that people can refer to. The earthquake information material is distributed to all households in Daegu, with the aim of educating citizens on basic earthquake facts and reinforcing Daegu’s image as a safe city. You can explore the project, awarded in the Service Design / Social Responsibility category at the iF Design Awards 2022 here.


“THE SECOND AID”
Disaster Kit


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

THE SECOND AID kit, developed by KOHSIN SHOJI Corporation and designed by the Japan-based NOSIGNER, was introduced in 2014 with insights from past disaster experiences. This kit includes essential items and valuable information crucial for surviving the initial 72 hours following a disaster. The kit is designed for convenient placement on a bookshelf, ensuring easy accessibility during emergencies. You can explore the project, awarded in the Packaging / Beauty Packaging category at the iF Design Awards 2016 here.


“PARTS-FIT”
Disaster Prevention Supplies Packaging


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

In 2011, during the Great East Japan Earthquake, 100,000 people were forced to spend the night in their offices due to the disabled public transportation. This highlighted the shortage of many emergency supplies in offices. KOKUYO Co., Ltd. addressed this need by launching the modular emergency supply kit in 2017, featuring space-saving packaging designed to fit standard office cabinets. You can explore the project, awarded in the Packaging / Industry - B2B Packaging category at the iF Design Awards 2019 here.


Smasher
Concept Tire


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

Developed by Kumho Tire, the Smasher is a concept tire designed for various road conditions. Thanks to smart grip technology incorporating advanced suction cups and grinders, the design envisions a scenario facilitating easy ascent of steep gradients and traversal through uneven terrain. Unlike conventional tires, the Smasher aims to shred uneven objects and play a crucial role in the primary connection to the road by constantly moving the tread blocks. You can explore the project, awarded in the Professional Concept / Product Concepts category at the iF Design Awards 2017 here.


Emergency Helmet
Earthquake Evacuation Equipment


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

Designed by Ssangyong Engineering & Construction and Dadam Design Associates Inc., the Emergency Helmet is an airbag-type emergency aid developed to protect the user from falling objects during an earthquake. The helmet can be folded into a plastic box, making it easy to store. When the user activates the top handle in an emergency, the box immediately splits, and the helmet inflates with liquefied gas. During inflation, the helmet can tightly adapt to any head shape. It also aims to help people exit buildings during an earthquake-induced power outage, thanks to the LED light that automatically illuminates on the back. You can explore the project, awarded in the Product / Medical-Healthcare category at the iF Design Awards 2013 here.


SleepBox & Wheel
Packaging and Carrying System


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

SleepBox, a packaging specially developed for the Foldable Bed by Jing Si, is an important example of reusability. Crafted from 100% recycled cardboard packaging, the design transforms into a mattress for the bed unit, minimizing waste. This 13.5kg boxed bed unit can be effortlessly carried using wheels made from excess paper tubes from paper mills, and both the mattress and the wheels can be recycled again. You can explore the project, awarded in the Packaging / Independent Packaging category at the iF Design Awards 2016 here.


Foldable Disaster Housing
Disaster Housing Solution


Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

The temperature inside the tents can be significantly higher than outside, especially in summer. The project, realized by Jing Si and designed in collaboration with the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, addresses this issue with a two-layer temporary disaster shelter featuring a 15cm air gap between them. The key feature of the dwelling is its outer layer made of 7mm grooved, double-walled polypropylene sheets. A hot press technology was developed to fold the polypropylene sheet up to 360° for efficient packing and transport. The design is easily expandable to prevent rainwater ingress and can be assembled in ten minutes. You can explore the project, awarded in the Product / Public Design category at the iF Design Awards 2016 here.


SolarCooker for D.A.
Solar Cooker for Disaster Areas


Photo: Photo: iF Design, Hannover.

Designed by Taiwan-based Lite-On Technology Corporation for disaster zones, the project combines a solar cooker with a basic food package for emergencies. It includes dry food, water, and a first aid kit stored in two solar cookers with parabolic reflectors. The design aims to offer disaster victims temporary cooking facilities and a clean food supply. You can explore the project, awarded in the Professional Concept / Product Concepts category at the iF Design Awards 2012 here.