A simple shelter for homeless sidewalk dwellers, the storage closet by day, transforms into a sleep / work / play space at night when additional sidewalk space becomes available. Cross ventilation and shading provide climatic comfort while the open plan satisfies inhabitants’ traditional preference for outdoor living.
Usage of reused materials like old metal sheets and scrap roofing material leftover from larger projects helps keep costs down. The provision of safe shelter as well as storage space for the belongings of the homeless satisfies two of their basic needs in the urban context, ensuring a better quality of life. The bold aesthetic of the shelter also makes sure it will not be missed by the public, creating awareness and sensitivity about the plight of the less privileged amongst city dwellers.
The flexible nature of the shelter enables modification by the occupant, creating a sense of security and belonging – a sense of “home”.
