Reducing Malaria in Homes with Improved Air Cavity Ventilation

Habitat for Humanity International, in collaboration with SeaFreight Labs, has launched a global design challenge titled “Reducing Malaria in Homes with Improved Air Cavity Ventilation.” This initiative builds on the previous 2021 “Habitat for Humanity Challenge,” which focused on reducing mosquito-borne diseases in Kenya by enhancing housing designs. Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit founded in 1976, operates in over 70 countries and aims to provide adequate shelter for all. Its Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter supports this goal by expanding access to affordable, resilient housing products and services. SeaFreight Labs, an open-innovation consultancy and supporter of the Pledge 1% movement, provides advisory support for this project. The objective of the challenge is to develop cost-effective and culturally acceptable ventilation solutions that also prevent mosquito entry, particularly in low-income homes in Kenya. The challenge specifically seeks to improve upon the previously piloted “air cavities” solution, which showed promising results in reducing indoor mosquito presence by up to 89% using PVC pipes and screens as window alternatives. However, the pilot encountered community concerns about privacy, cold drafts, security, lack of operability, and aesthetics. Thus, the current challenge invites innovative design modifications to address these issues while maintaining the original goals of mosquito prevention and indoor thermal comfort. Applicants are expected to provide a comprehensive submission that includes a detailed design description, rationale, annotated technical drawings, cost estimates, and a video demonstrating proof-of-concept. The submission must align with specific technical requirements such as compatibility with low-income housing, use of local materials, cultural appropriateness, ease of installation by local laborers, and cost constraints (no more than 60 USD for a 25-square-meter home). The solution should also have a lifespan of at least ten years, be low-tech, and comply with the Kenyan building code. While aesthetics and artistic expression are not mandatory, they are highly encouraged to improve community acceptance. Eligibility for this challenge includes all participants except for employees and interns of Habitat for Humanity International and their immediate family members, who may submit ideas but are not eligible for awards. Employees of Habitat affiliates and independent national organizations may participate fully. Up to three finalist solutions will be selected for prototype construction and field testing in 15 homes (5 homes per solution). These prototypes will be evaluated based on efficacy, cost, ease of installation, and community acceptance. Finalist solutions will each receive $3,000, and the top solution may receive an additional $15,000 based on comprehensive evaluation. Applications must be submitted via the HeroX platform and include responses to submission page questions, a PDF detailing the solution, and a narrated or subtitled video demonstrating the concept. The submission deadline is listed as TBD and late entries will not be considered. Solvers retain exclusive intellectual property rights but must grant Habitat for Humanity a non-exclusive license to use and distribute their solutions to improve global low-income housing conditions.