The HO.P.E. Shelter: 'HObo Pallet Eco Shelter Design Ideas'

In order to minimize the negative effects that homeless people may have caused, the idea of this homeless shelter is to generate the awareness of the existence of this community who need our sincere attention. They are desperate to settle down, have a decent and regular job and not be stigmatized and discriminated by the harsh society. They are actually the victims of the vast and rapid economic growth. They need support, care and our help. Most importantly, they need the hope that will provide them the strength to continue to survive.

HO.P.E. Shelter aims to inspire them and demonstrate that the society is ready to help, by providing a more pleasant place to embrace their spiritual and physical strength to continue pursuing their dreams. The four principal design ideas underlying the formation of the shelter are: Ease of assembly without mechanical tools, naturally lit and ventilated, easy operation by easily built in anywhere and can be fused in as part of the cityscape.

Eat. Sleep. Clean. Revitalize. These are the four main basic roles of HO.P.E. Shelter. It will serve as a proper and conducive place for them to rest and sleep as well as to clean themselves up. There are two main spaces provided, sleeping and cleaning spaces. The rest of the common areas will serve as communication and interactive spaces between volunteers as well as amongst the homeless.

The choice of materials is inspired by the temporary housing structure in slums as its existence shares the similar reason why homeless issue occurs. Pallets act as a supporting structure for goods in a stable fashion. Taking its meaning and function metaphorically, pallets can be a symbol of support and hope for this homeless people.

Tough life in the city has forced many to live on the streets of Johor Bahru. The cityscape has then changed. Due to the rapid growth of development in Johor Bahru, more and more homeless people wondering around at night, sleeping at the five-foot way of old shophouses, or begging for food or money at the pedestrian bridges in the town. These scenarios are getting alarming. We, as part of community, it’s time for us to look into this matter seriously. The homeless people needs support, care and the community engagement to help them up back to their normal lifestyle.

HO.P.E Shelter may be a mean to give the homeless community a retreat that will enable the homeless to gain back their spiritual and physical boost to hope again; striving for a better and brighter future. HO.P.E. Shelter is economically affordable, and can be easily constructed.

It is one of the solutions to extenuate the problem along with some other helps which are contributed by NGOs and local authority. Those who want to stay in HO.P.E Shelter will need to register with the authority to have a temporary stay before getting back to their normal lifestyle. Within the stay, the homeless will be aided by the volunteers and with hope, be able to settle down as soon as possible.

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