In Jelgava, in the basement of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, a fully equipped shelter has been built at a cost of more than 120 000 euros, with room to accommodate up to 220 people if needed. It has an autonomous power supply and ventilation system, as well as water reservoirs. The space has been fitted out with modular furniture made by the “Latvijas Finieris” group, designed specifically for facilities of this or a similar type.
In crisis situations, military operations or civil protection scenarios, infrastructure has to be deployable quickly, safely and thoughtfully. “LITUA” is a modular, flat-pack furniture collection made from birch plywood and created for exactly these purposes.
“This is not ordinary furniture. “LITUA” is a mobile, functional and long-lasting infrastructure system intended for military field camps, barracks, mobile bases, field hospitals, humanitarian aid accommodation centres and shelters. These solutions make it possible to create an environment suitable for living and working, in a short time, in places where none existed before. The furniture system is a practical, well-considered and strategically significant solution for defence and civil protection needs; it provides basic comfort and functionality in situations where stability and rapid action are decisive,” says Māris Būmanis, member of the board of AS “Latvijas Finieris”
The system includes folding beds for short-term and long-term accommodation, chairs, stools, tables, weapon storage racks, as well as modular cabinets and storage solutions. Some of the furniture doubles as transport crates, thereby optimising logistics. The elements can be connected to one another and adapted to a variety of spaces – from container-type modules to underground shelters.
Speed and simplicity are a key advantage. The furniture can be assembled in a few minutes, without tools, and it is designed to be dismantled and reassembled many times over. When not assembled, the elements take up little space, which is critically important for storing state reserves and for rapid deployment.
““LITUA” furniture is made from 15-20 mm “Riga Wood” birch plywood produced by “Latvijas Finieris”; the structures have been checked in certified laboratories and tested in real conditions. They combine mechanical strength with relatively low weight and a long service life,” says Uģis Ozols, executive director of “Riga Wood Baltic”.
It also matters that these solutions are based on a sustainable material – birch plywood. It is a renewable resource that makes it possible to build durable, reusable infrastructure, reducing the amount of waste compared with short-lived or single-use solutions.
The furniture system was developed at Vilnius Technical University. Manufacturing was initially started by the company “DUV” in Lithuania, equipping the shelters that had been built and also delivering support projects in Ukraine. Such furniture is now being produced in Latvia as well, at the “Troja” plywood processing plant.
Linards Sisenis, Vice-Rector for Finance of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies:
“Birch plywood has become a shield for our readiness for “hour X”. Although safety in crisis situations is something everyone must think about and attend to, an effective system can only be created by working together, and the shelter in Jelgava is one such example. With the company’s support, 8 quick-assembly tables and 28 benches, which can be turned into beds if needed, were made and delivered for the shelter. Assembling this kind of “hour X” furniture is quick and straightforward: no tools, no fixings and no special skills are required. It is significant that this furniture is made of wood, an ecological material, and moreover from birch timber grown in Latvia.”
L. Sisenis expresses his gratitude to “Latvijas Finieris” for its support in equipping the shelter and voices confidence that the productive cooperation between the university and the company will continue.