James Furzer, a 26 year old architect based in London, has won an award for an innovative design to provide shelter for homeless people. He claimed top prize in the Space for New Visions competition organised by renowned roof window and loft ladder manufacturers Farko, beating 60 other entrants.
His idea comprises floating pods that can be built on the side of buildings to provide a place for homeless people to sleep at night. The idea has received a great deal of acclaim, particularly at a time when people are campaigning to have spikes removed that were installed to deter people from sleeping in specific locations.
The pods will be made from plywood and steel and attach to the side of buildings. They will sit above head height so they don’t get in the way of pedestrians and will be accessed via a folding ladder. Each pod will have a mattress, a living area and a small space for possessions to be stored in.
The pods are designed to give homeless people a place to spend the night or a few hours whenever they need it. They will provide shelter from the British weather as well as sheltering people from the general public. The design is very simple and means a pod could be attached to all kinds of buildings with ease.
The number of people sleeping rough on the streets of London has increased significantly over the years. The charity Shelter claimed the number to be around 7,581 between 2014 and 2015, an increase of 16% over the previous year. The number is also double the 3,673 from 2009 to 2010 showing that homelessness is a growing problem.
Although not a solution to the homelessness problem the pods would provide much needed shelter and get people thinking. James hopes to finalise his design and get support from charities to start construction. Long term he aims to donate them to a homeless charity so they could be properly managed and maintained. This is just one of the many exciting examples of the ways architects in London are working to make buildings more functional for the people who inhabit the city. Homelessness is an important concern, and this idea shows how architects can contribute.