Shelter Bus

Just as a storm can transform into a hurricane, compassion can transform into action.

We live in an environment that is in a constant state of flux, changing from one moment to the next as global warming and natural disasters challenge us to adapt and adjust in ways we never thought possible. Essentially, we have been called upon to transform not only our lifestyles, but our sense of civic responsibility and this design is intended to be a tool for the compassionate action that occurs when such transformations take place.

Dramatic changes to the physical form help this shelter convey the process of transformation as its cylindrical core unfurls to reveal a linear shelter designed for four relief workers with varied capacities and skills. Color is used as a wayfinding tool to indicate the spectrum of space and its intended uses. Here, cooler colors denote silence and sleep while warm colors imply sound and activity. Colorful paneling also lends a playful character to the structure, which (aside from being a shelter) is intended to serve as an interactive learning station for troubled children. Sliding under carriage sections can be pulled out to reveal a collection of play stations that range from sandboxes to garden beds.