Make It Modular Submission - Homeless Shelter

My name is Gabriela Romanelli, and I'm a rising junior at High Tech High School. I've loved architecture for as long as I can remember, so this project was super fun for me. Progams like TinkerCad and AutoCad are a little out of my comfort zone, this is the biggest project I have undertaken in either. Overall, I learned a lot from this experience and I look forward to doing similar competitions in the future.

Step 1: Inspiration

I was visiting the west coast just before this project was announced. I traveled from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Portland. I live in New Jersey but I spend a lot of time in New York City with my friends, so I've grown accustomed to seeing many homeless people living on the sidewalks, but I hadn't seen them in such large numbers until visiting these cities. There were hundreds of tents lining the streets and taking over entire city blocks. I had noticed a block sectioned off in Portland with little sheds and huts scattered inside. It was somewhat haphazard and a bit of an eyesore. Improving this plot of land seemed like the perfect location to base my project off of.

Step 2: Site Analysis

I used Google Earth to find the location of the lot in Portland I planned on using. There are two major establishments that would highly benefit the homeless living in the shelter I designed. "P:EAR Mentor" is an organization about two blocks away from the lot that "builds community, offers support, and creates opportunities for exploration and personal growth" within the young homeless population. They have help feed, educate, and find work for anyone in need. There is also a health clinic within a short walking distance.

P:EAR Mentor can be found here: pearmentor.org

Step 3: Initial Sketches/Brainstorming

My first step in designing the shelter itself was brainstorming the best ways to fill the space I found. I wanted to fit as many people as possible without overcrowding them. Some amenities I made an effort to include were storage, restrooms, showers, and a communal lounge area. I wanted to build a community for them to help integrate themselves back into society. They should feel independent, but each have responsibilities within the community to keep them active.

Step 4: Floor Plan - Concept (Hand Drawn)

This is a more detailed hand-drawn floor plan. There would be a second layer of shipping containers stacked over the gardens that are accessible via the stairs in the Check-In center and the "locker room"/bathroom on the top right. Each unit has its own personal outdoor space where they can add furniture or garden. This is to encourage acquiring new hobbies/responsibilities, and gives them the opportunity to spend time outside in a safe space. The Check-In Center would have an attendant that monitors the habitants activities, in addition to making sure that everyone that stays in the shelter is registered.

Step 5: Detailed Floor Plan (Digital)

I primarily used AutoCad for this floor plan. I used a computer in school that had AutoCad installed, but I ran out of time to work on it so I added details and cleaned up the lines on Procreate at home. With this to-scale model, I found room for several more shipping containers to fit in the 100' by 100' space. Including both levels of units, there is a total of 24 rooms available. Each unit is built to accommodate one person, but if bunk beds are installed, two people could fit semi-comfortably. Families could apply to have two units next to each other.

Step 6: 3D Model - Unit

I imported the given file to TinkerCad in order to ensure the dimensions stayed the same. I then added the bed, desk, lamp, and chair, scaling them to size as I went. Lastly, I designed the storage unit to include a bureau and shelving.

Step 7: 3D Model - Full Design

I used my AutoCad floor plan to make a 3D model in TinkerCad. Unfortunately, the size restrictions on TinkerCad forced me to cut off a few of the storage units, but ideally all of them would be able to stay in the design. If the residents approve, local artists could feature their work on the walls of the units and buildings within the shelter. This would brighten the space, add color to the community, and support local artists.

Step 8: Elevations/Roof Plan

I included extra views to fully show the layout of the shelter. There are plenty of windows and open spaces for both the residents and passerby to enjoy. The patio could be used for barbecues and block parties for residents to form relationships within the community. Residents would be encouraged to engage in group activities to bond with their neighbors.

Step 9: Renderings/Conclusion

I used Photoshop and Procreate to make the renderings. I took screenshots of the location on Google Earth and superimposed my TinkerCad drawings to fully immerse the design into its surroundings. There is plenty of greenery and gardens that help make it aesthetically pleasing and incorporate it with the rest of the vibrant city. This low-cost homeless shelter should allow residents to reintegrate themselves into society while establishing themselves in a loving community.

Thank you for your time!