Transforming Spaces - Shelter/Bus

This week's challenge was to design a shelter:bus for four hurricane relief workers. I chose to design a bus for preservation students aiding in relief efforts by documenting damaged historic buildings. UNCG and Mary Washington have both sent students to New Orleans in the past to hand draw and digitally record compromised buildings. In these instances, the students stayed in a motel for an extended period of time.

CONTEXT:
When disaster strikes an area, countless people and buildings are affected. In historic areas, significant historic fabric may be lost or compromised, requiring preservation efforts through the means of historic building surveys. The concept of this project is the transformation of actual spaces and their uses through the collapse and expansion of large and small scale elements. It provides a work and living space for four students who are documenting historic buildings after a hurricane, much like the team that UNCG sent to New Orleans several years ago.

Transformation is achieved through the expansion of sections to create additional interior space, while sliding glass doors convert open, public space to compartmentalized, private and work spaces. Tables collapse to become folding sofas. Swinging doors serve as posting boards and beds serve double duty for sleep and storage.

The use of windows, skylights and solar panels transforms contained space into an interactive environment that relates the structure to the street, but allows free flowing air to circulate throughout. Aesthetically, the structural simplicity and bright colors of the interior help to generate artistic energy and a positive environment.

THE PROJECT: