From Playset to Emergency Shelters December, 2020
OTTAWA has been facing a homeless crisis since the past year, more so after COVID-19, and records more than 1,900 people sleeping on the streets daily. This project is an initiative designed to cater to the short-term needs of those struggling with homelessness. It revolves around the themes of equity and activism, ecology and environment, and finally health and wellness. This multi-functional set of infrastructure acts as a playset during the day, and doubles as a temporary emergency shelter for the needy at night.
From the perspective of a homeless person seeking a shelter, “Home for the Night” includes design features such as wider tube
like slides, cozy hammocks, benches that transform into mini-shelters which are heated surfaces, thus providing space for the person to rest in, giving them temporary refuge. Meeting at the intersection of activism and urban design, this project aims to add to the homeless awareness campaigns. “Home for the Night” lends a hand to one of the most vulnerable communities. Implementation of a system like this will not only support this humanitarian crisis, but also break the barrier that is created by preconceived notions towards this invisible class of society.
