Design can't save the world, but it can certainly help.
The Problem: housing the homeless. Unfortunately there is not the political will to solve this persistent problem, so those who are homeless often live in makeshift shelters. Most of these shelters are little more than a collection cardboard and plastic refuse held together by electrical tape and ropes. These shelter, which are more like rustic tents, must be taken apart and rebuilt each time a homeless person is forced to move. Homelessness is a nomadic existence.
This is where design fills the gap where traditional institutions fail to meet an urgent need.
The Solution: The Wheely. A mobile homeless shelter made of recycled, but extremely durable and water resistant materials that is easily transportable by a one person. The Wheely, as it name suggests, is a shelter that rolls. A kickstand stabilizes it in place wherever it is parked. The tent membrane unfolds from inside the wheel.
Designer: Zo-Loft Architecture and Design
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I certainly think this is interesting. Homelessness might not affect us now, or ever. But it certainly is an issue to the Twin Cities and I think it's important we discuss it. What do you guys think about The Wheely? To me, I can't say it necessarily is my favorite idea, but it's a different point of view from where I'm used to seeing about homelessness (which I like). It's more adaptation oppose to a solution. I couldn't find much information on price to produce or production --
This is great! It reminds me of the AMAZING Project 'ParaSITE' by Michael Rakowitz:
ReplyDeletehttp://michaelrakowitz.com/parasite/
He lectured here last year, he's really great! A lot of his artwork is somewhat social/relational aesthetic-like in nature. Really thought provoking and community-building.
Also a bit reminiscent of Kryzsztof Wodiczko's project 'Homeless Vehicles'
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/works/homeless-vehicles/
I respect the feeling behind this idea but I don't know if this either good or sustainable. We as a designers mighty need to reach beyond our own field and our own skills and see where we can work with other to effect change. These shelters are temporary structures at best. How do we reintegrate the homeless especially youth homeless back into our societies? I think that this type of temporary structure serves an emergency purpose but for the long term design cannot be the only solution. There are people who work with the homeless and homeless people who advocate for themselves. They have to play a part in the solution.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/
http://familiesmovingforward.org/
How can we use design to help them fulfill their mission?
Yes, I was just talking to Hageman about Rakowitz the other day.
ReplyDeleteI think this has a lot of humor involved with it but may lack practicality. Where as Kryzsztof Wodiczko's 'vehicles' provide cargo space, I am hard pressed to find that on this wheel.
That said nice find. I laughed when I saw
this. Can you imagine seeing individuals or small groups of people pushing these things around the city. One thing it would do is
give the 'homeless' presence, which it seems
is one of the major hindrances to changing
their situation.
I remember Michael Rakowitz's lecture and thought he was fantastic, especially his parasite projects. But I do echo the sentiment that these solutions are only temporary, though innovative. What I wonder is whether the homeless are aware of the services provided by local shelters? It is easy for us to find information about neighborhood homeless shelters because we have access to the internet and what not. But if did suddenly find ourselves without a home, where would we know where to turn to? What if the disconnect is between the shelters/services and the target client? How can we raise awareness that reaches to both the clientele (the homeless) and everyone else?
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see a panhandler on the side of the freeway the signs always ask for money, but what if instead of creating an immediate monetary transaction in which there is no guarantee that money will actually go for food or shelter, actions were made to help the homeless find more long-term support?
For instance, what if vouchers were given out with directions to the nearest homeless shelter or organization that could better help them out. And these vouchers could also be good for a bus ride to said shelter?