Homelessness is an ever-prevailing issue that only seems to be growing as time passes. Architect Shail Patel decided to create and harness a rather innovative and unique solution to address the complex social issue that is space shortage in an increasingly expensive world. He utilized the artificial intelligence design tool Midjourney to create a series of modular pods that are designed to help those in a tough situation find a space for the night or even become a permanent place they can count on.
Designer: Shail Patel
Shail’s plan is to bring to life and utilize urban spaces, particularly the areas under bridges, that are otherwise ignored and have been forgotten. He aims to make use of modular design to build a safe, clean, and respectful living space for the homeless population. He wants to transform these ignored urban spaces into decent and dignified homes for them. The plan is to build pods that function as self-contained living spaces which will provide citizens with a private and comfortable home throughout the year.
The pods will feature heating and cooling systems, ventilation, and natural light. In fact, they will even be built using eco-friendly materials. The pods have been imparted with a modular form to ensure easy construction and assembly. This allows the project to be quickly expanded as and when needed, providing homes to the needy in a swift and efficient manner. As mentioned earlier, the pods are built using sustainable materials, which gives them a lot of longevity, and they’re also supposed to be quite durable. They will be equipped with energy-efficient features such as rainwater harvesting and solar panels. Patel’s careful consideration and design of the bridge pods will definitely ensure that they have a small carbon footprint.
Given that this sector is highly unorganized, we hope that training and teaching is the method used to regulate this environment for the prolonged success of this project.
Since these pods are going to be placed in empty lots under bridges, which may not always be the safest, measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the residents. The sites will be equipped with state-of-the-art security systems. Staff such as social workers and healthcare professionals who can provide counseling, job training, and healthcare for rehabilitation will be assigned to the pod sites. Patel hopes that these pods will be introduced to cities and communities all over the world, providing an ingenious and innovative solution to the current cycle of poverty and space constraints in a rapidly changing world.
