Starter for 10: temporary shelters

Reed Watts have developed this temporary bedroom pod in response to an ideas competition organised by Commonweal Housing. The competition sought proposals to help improve the living conditions of homeless migrant workers who would otherwise be living in tent encampments around London’s periphery.

We have proposed a series of low-tech pods which will provide short-term accommodation for homeless people while they make the transition to permanent housing. The design will be made freely available for charities to use, helping them to provide personal, adaptable bedrooms with minimal financial outlay. The pods could, for example, be erected for short periods in different locations –  a local community hall, vacant office or industrial building.

The shelters can be built from standard plywood sheets or could make use of surplus construction materials which would normally be sent to landfill.

The competition follows detailed research by Thames Reach which can be viewed here.

• Project Type: Competition
• Rank: First Place
• Organiser: Commonweal Housing