Disaster Shelter

2008 Spring Semester

First Year

Architectural Design Studio

Critics: Eleanor D'Aponte, Tom Laythem

Collaborator: Kortnee Hill

Working in teams of two, the task for this studio was to design and build an eight foot by eight food disaster shelter from found materials. Ms. Hill and I designed a post and skin structure made from discarded PVC pipe, carpet tubes (used in compression only), tarp, zip ties, duct tape and safety mesh. A theme from past studio projects, we included a movable piece – an entire wall. This allowed the structure to be closed off in times of private activities and opened up for community activities. Two elevated beds flank the corner entry. Hay bales provide seating for guests. The goal of our design was to create a comfortable, community friendly shelter within our tiny dimensional constraints.

My partner and I, along with other friends, spent a night in our shelter following its completion as proof of competent design and construction.