Our system

The core idea

DS3 is not a collection of individual products. It is a system built around a shared design logic. Shelter, structures, upgrades, and supporting tools are designed to work together in consistent ways — reducing complexity, improving reliability, and supporting adaptation over time.

What’s in use today

A shared structural backbone All DS3 shelters and structures are built around a common structural approach, used across soft- cover and hard-cover systems. This supports:

• consistent assembly and training
• shared components and spares
• faster deployment
• simpler maintenance and reuse

Modular layers

DS3 systems adapt through modular layers that can be added, changed, or removed as conditions evolve. These include:

• soft covers or hard panels
• insulation and climate kits
• internal layouts and partitions
• safety, security, and accessibility features

This allows infrastructure to respond to changing needs without full replacement.

Supporting capabilities

Systems can be upgraded over time through:

• energy and power solutions
• flooring, drainage, and ground interfaces
• heating and thermal comfort options for cold-weather operation where safe installation and fuel availability allow, cooling, insulation and ventilation
• service and utility integrations
• mobility and care support options that improve safe transfers and assisted care in clinics and recovery contexts
• safety and security lighting, smoke/fire alarms, locks, safe internal layouts, and optional safeguarding features
• ground interface (flooring, drainage, raised floor options) Supporting capabilities extend usefulness while preserving the core system.

Circular by design

DS3 approaches shelter and infrastructure as assets to be stewarded. Systems are designed to be:

• reused
• repaired
• recovered
• redeployed

This reduces waste, lowers environmental impact, and improves value-for-money across deployments.

What we’re actively developing

DS3 continues to invest in research and development to address gaps that partners face in prolonged displacement and recovery contexts.

Current areas of focus include:

• Future housing and recovery solutions
• Exploring more durable housing options for stable sites and recovery contexts, where longer- term use is appropriate.
• Energy and power systems
• Integrating solar generation, storage, and efficient distribution to support safer, more functional living environments.
• Digital support tools. Developing optional digital tools to support coordination, asset visibility, learning and accountability. Designed to support operations, not burden them.
• Learning and refinement
• Using field experience, pilots, and feedback to refine designs and improve performance over time.

Why this approach matters

By combining a stable system architecture with responsible innovation, DS3 supports partners with solutions that are practical today and better prepared for tomorrow.