Project Name: Sustainable Homeless Shelter

Project Type:
5) industrial/product design

Project Mission/Goal:
4) address humanitarian crises

Project Description:
At any given moment in the United States alone, anywhere from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 people are homeless. As we face an economic downturn, an increasing number of people find themselves unexpectedly without a home or shelter. One third of these people are families with children and constitute the fastest growing entity of homeless. Many face adverse conditions and threat of harm in addition to challenging weather conditions. Most cities do not have enough beds or housing facilities for their homeless population. Zo-Loft Architecture & Design has designed a sustainable mode of shelter for the homeless (or as they like to point out, the urban nomad). This collapsible shelter doubles in function as portable storage and expandable tent housing. The entire "rolling tent" is made from recyclable materials, including neoprene for warmth. It is cleverly designed to hold up to 250 lbs. of personal belongings and can be used as a chair when folded or a full sleeping option when unfolded. When fully set-up, this temporary shelter can connect to other units in order to create a full community environment.

Links:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/06/wheelly-sustainable-homeless-shelter...

Project Details:
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Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): ZO-LOFT Architects
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Year (s): xx to xx
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Project Phase: prototype
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Nominated by Frederika Zipp

Location