Tesseract Collective‘s shared with us the results of their recent competition “Almost Home”, which asked designers to consider how it is possible to rehabilitate homeless people. They hold regular design competitions around humanitarian topics, with the intention of opening discussion over how architecture can be used powerfully to alleviate suffering and social deprivation around the world. “Almost Home” was the second homeless themed competition they have held. The brief called for a holistic and thoughtful strategy, which would integrate well with the urban environment and have a more long-term approach than immediate survival and comfort. More images and information on the winning entries after the break.
Winner: Sarah Crowley, ‘Back on Track’ Architect’s Description:
This project explores a long-term solution to housing and rehabilitating homeless individuals & families. Homeless people often congregate in cities because of the infrastructure & resources available. They tend to appropriate under-used & empty spaces for living. To link in with this concept, it seemed logical to design a long-term solution to homelessness using vacant plots of land in cities. There is a lot of neglected land in & around cities throughout the world, so… let’s use these sites to re-integrate the homeless!
The project will create a new ‘neighborhood’ with a mixed demographic: 30-40% residents will be ‘formerly homeless,’ the rest will not. The idea here is to further encourage integration with others and develop a sense of community.
Honorable Mention: Joana Torres, ‘WIN_Wash It Now’ Architect’s Description:
Hygiene is extremely important in society. Hygiene routines are basic measures to reduce diseases and elevate the sense of well being and social acceptance. A network of Community Cleaning Centers throughout the city allows the homeless to take regular hygiene habits, receive hygiene provisions and get informed. Access to basic hygienic facilities is one step forward in re-integration with the society.
Honorable Mention: Tane and Taylor Um Architects’ Description:
After reading the competition brief, we were reminded of a sociological study by Annette Lareau where she coined the term “concerted cultivation”. This study focused on the childrearing of lower and middle class families, and we suspected that there were relevant elements in this line of thought that may have an influence on the successful rehabilitation of the homeless as well as those who lived below the poverty line.
There is a burgeoning movement in Toronto that advocates free public transportation, or a ‘zero-fare’ transit system, and it occurred to us that this might be the solution. Those that live below the poverty line can not afford public transit fare, so we decided a zero-fare monorail would accomplish two critical objectives: giving the homeless the mobility they desperately need as well as raising the homeless issue above the street level, moving what was once invisible into plain view. From this perspective, the millions spent on outreach programs are misguided. We can simply speed these disadvantaged populations to the services they require to achieve rehabilitation.
Honorable Mention: David Sharp, Anuar Azahari from A Workshop, working out Perth, Australia Architects’ Description:
We live in a very superficial society, one that can fail to see past the visible signs of homelessness. This creates tremendous disadvantage to those who already have the fewest opportunities. The problem of providing essential modern amenities to the homeless must be addressed. While homeless people in Perth can’t have a shower, treat a cut or communicate in the digital age, every attempt at re-integration will be hindered.
Our initial approach was to consult representatives of homeless support groups, who explained that while they are able to provide some necessities to the homeless, they simply don’t have the people-power to effectively distribute them when and where they are needed. We saw automation as the solution to this problem. Once we identified the need for exclusivity across this infrastructure, the Street-Aid database and card were logical conclusions. We focused on the potential for this card to empower the homeless to take positive steps in their life as part of community.
Honorable Mention: UbaanArchitect- Thanawin Wijitporn, Kamalard Sudlumlerd, Weruya Wiriya and Jiraporn Suhom Architects’ Description:
Homeless can affect anyone. Some group of people are more likely to become homeless due to their support need or particular barriers they facing getting accommodation.
So,this project explores a long term solution to housing and rehabilitating homeless individual and families. Homeless doesn’t mean people who don’t have shelter or house. Their house are around the world. They appropriate under used spaces and empty spaces.Link to concept moveable and sustainable design that will remain useful and significant in cities.We design moveable shelter that easy to setting and keeping. Green space in shelter can useful for themselves and have a profound effect on people. If they integrate shelter to temporary community,they can live together,sharing facility,talking with each other,this is the main idea that make them re-integrate with society.
