Street Swag
<< a convertible bag which folds out to a bed and stores personal possessions, water and fire retardent. >>
Project Type:
urban planning design strategy
industrial/product design
Project Mission/Goal:
improve the human spirit
respond to our growing need for clean water, power, shelter, healthcare, education
address humanitarian crises
Project Description:
Street Swags is a bed and a bag designed to provide more comfort, warmth and protection from weather for people living on the street.
A bed and bag with room for belongings, Street Swags are made of lightweight, waterproofed canvas with a high-density foam mattress. It offers its users a degree of comfort, warmth, and protection from the weather. Designed for those living on the streets, its discreet appearance offers some safety for those who need to be ‘invisible.’ The simplicity of the design enables low-skilled workers to manufacture the swags efficiently while minimizing waste of raw materials.
Street Swags has empowered and brought together all levels of the community. Corporate and private entities donate funds. Prisoners sew, gaining work readiness skills and recognized qualifications. Aboriginal communities gain government employment, home industry skills, and a finished product for their families. School children roll and pack Street Swags with blankets, pillows, hygiene packs, and knitted winter essentials as part of their school’s Social Justice Program. Numerous aid organizations such as St. Vincent De Paul and Salvation Army, hospitals, community groups, and volunteers distribute them across Australia.
Links and Captions:
http://www.streetswags.org.au/
Project Details:
Project Location: australia
Date(s): XX to XX
Project Phase: implmentaion
Client: public
User Client: homeless
Description and Number of Beneficiaries/Users
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Jean Madden
Nominated by Vasilios Katsavrias
