︎ Interim Shelter for the Homeless
An animal-centric modular housing approach to increase intergenerational interactions between humans and pets in homeless shelters.
By Camy Trinh ︎
This proposal responds to homeless shelters’ current exclusion of pets and their owners by creating a prototypical interim shelter through a modular system of pet-centric housing. This shelter not only provides the necessary infrastructure in accommodation of pets and their owners, but aims to create a spatial experience that is as equally comfortable for pets as it is for their owners.
These modular residential units can be organized in floors by the type of pet. The units themselves can also be freely oriented into double and quad units, with plenty of space for pets-human interaction indoors along with storage and greenery nooks. Perhaps these modules can even be arranged in a way to create external courtyards to provide more exposure to natural lighting and access to the comforts of nature and interaction amongst generations.
- Allows for natural lighting within residences
- Creates secure nooks for plant placement
- Allows pets to freely wander the premise for privacy and physical activity throughout the day
- Encourages chance interactions amongst residences
Modular Units
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Flexibly oriented to sites
- Possible for communal courtyards in between for more greenery and social interactions
Study / 2020
Design to Outcomes
My project is in full support of architecturally furthering the Pet Effect, also known as the human-animal bond, which is the “mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals that positively impacts the health and well-being of both. Implementation across multiple sites can create a symbiotic network for homeless people and pets- this may be a viable method to decrease homeless and euthanization rates!
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Works Cited
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https://www.animallama.com/dogs/what-do-dogs-like/
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[12] Cutts, S., Carl, & Carl. (2019, January 6). What Do Cats Like? 20 Ways To Make A Cat
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[14] https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/2016-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
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