Should we talk about homeless shelters on this forum?

[Ron Dickey]

This is just an expansion to what we already do.

However it is just that designing shelters, do not let politics get into this which is not allowed on this forum. We all come from different backgrounds.
At one time some tried to come up with trailers for veterans ....

That being said, are you offering the designs to governments, or putting them in places that are approved by them.

If you start a site I would call it something like shelters or Land trailers (ones that can have wheels or had wheels at one time)

you mike look at the book tinny houses in fact now I find there are many books on the subject.
I have several books from the 70's (part of the hippy movement)
Dome builder's handbook no.2
Domebook 2
Shelter http://www.abebooks.com/SHELTER-Publica ... 5129382/bd
talks about shelters from through out the ages and the world.
houseboats

[oakinteriors1]

Portable preeinsulated,bolt together geodesic domes
http://mountaintruss.yolasite.com/

[Shadow Catcher]

I can not think of a better subject for this forum!
We are in a tornado watch and heavy rain as I keyboard and it is NOTHING like what happened in the Philippines.

[Roo Dog]

Mike,

The forum appears to be well controlled to me. I doubt the topic will get out of hand from what I have seen so far.
Put a set of wheels under your pod and you will have a tiny trailer anyway, might have to push it around.
As it is our little Tear handles any overflow when we are stuck for beds. The occasional visitor who sleeps in it usually reckon it was the best nights sleep they have had in ages.
I guess it could be called a sleeping pod when parked at home. Minus plates that is all it would be.
Give it a try I reckon.

RD

[Rlowell]

Mike,
I like the idea. As has been stated already; the knowledge and experience that is on this forum is mind boggling already and the combination of such would put together many useful concepts. Let's have some fun and learn a subject that can be useful to many others.

Great idea.

Rod

[GPW]

What about a foamie' ? Quick and easy ... maybe just slap a coat of paint on it (sprayed on ) inside and out ...

[mikeschn]

What about a foamie' ? Quick and easy ... maybe just slap a coat of paint on it (sprayed on ) inside and out ...

Hey Glenn,

A foamie is a good idea, and so is coroplast. But they have to be deployed where security is not an issue. The problem with coroplast, and probably foam too, is that a box cutter will go right through it.

But how about this...

A layer of foam, a layer of aluminum, and then another layer of foam. A box cutter trying to get in would hit the aluminum, and be stopped.

Mike...

[GPW]

Trying to keep out the “Urban Street Bears"  ??? They are usually equipped with more than a box cutter... That is an unforeseen complication to an otherwise simple problem ...

[mezmo]

It's YOUR forum Mike, you can include any topic as a thread
that you want to. You've been more than generous and very
open minded with everything. If people don't care to read it
as it isn't specifically TD/TTT connected, then they don't have to
open it. I think it is a great additional topic and source for
methods/approaches to building small - and maybe members
could contribute something that would be of use for you in
this design area.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[PKCSPT]

I would be very interested, might give a few of us ideas on how we might help if possible in our own neighborhoods if we are so inclined.

[GerryS]

Security is probably of minimal concern. Anything you build here will be vulnerable to attack. Easily. You can't realistically fortify something this size unless you are building with concrete and embedded rebar. Wood or foam is no march for some one who wants inside. Locks are only going to keep pit the honest person. In those, a lock is probably equivalent to hanging a sign that says "valuables inside"

[legojenn]

When I first saw the topic, I thought that this could be one of those polarising subjects that could be up there with the firearms debate of a few months ago. However, there is much to be gained by developing and discussing minimalist shelters for short to medium lengths of time, especially in situations where the lack of housing is situational. Examples that I can think of are disasters and remote temporary work situations. Something like this might even be practical for seasonal camping and cottage overflow situations.

I wish you all the best and hope to see some creative ideas come out of it.

[mikeschn]

Trying to keep out the “Urban Street Bears"  ??? They are usually equipped with more than a box cutter... That is an unforeseen complication to an otherwise simple problem ...

I guess one of the things we need to do is define security, and which level of security we are building to.

Mike...

[Verna]

Mike, the level of security is something that may not be as important as insulated and dry.

Two months ago, the city of Indianapolis gave notice to vacate to a large "colony" of the homeless who were camped out under a railroad overpass. They all seemed to have simple 5x5 or smaller tents, with their possessions inside and in grocery carts. The railroad company needed to make repairs to the overpass, but couldn't with the people living underneath.

So, if they are now living in tents, insulation and dry would seem to be the most important factor in your homeless shelters. We all know that tents certainly aren't very secure.

(I've noticed that there is another railroad overpass that is also home to lots of tents, so it wasn't just this location that used tents.)

[mikeschn]

Verna,

Insulated and dry is what Glenn suggested with the foamie. Maybe in some cases that is all we need. And in other cases we might need more.

In the Ohio River Valley where the first 2 pods are, they must get a lot of wind. I'll bet those foamies might blow over... especially without the ballast... i.e. 500 pounds of beer!

Mike...