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Tens of thousands of people come to the United States each year to escape persecution in their own countries. New York is spending $8 million a day trying to provide substantial housing for everyone. That’s almost $80,000 per person each year. The Asylum process can take up to a year if not more and during such times these individuals and families are in need of a safe place to go and stay temporarily. These homes are designed to nurture and foster community among the multiple families occupying them. These homes are compact and modular to house and fit as many units as possible within a designated space.
Design Process
The Problem
These asylum seekers are at high risk of exploitation, trafficking, and modern slavery. They leave their homes and come to the U.S. in hope of creating a new life with protection and security. Since Spring 2022, the numbers have escalated with more than 118,000 Asylees arriving crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border. Cities Such as LA, Miami, and NY are overwhelmed with providing enough resources to these new arrivals. New York is spending $8 million a day trying to provide substantial housing for everyone. Thats about $216 per person a day. The Asylum process can take up to a year if not more and during such times these individuals and families are in need of a safe place to go and stay temporarily
Dominant Nationalities
Multiple cultures and communities coming together.
All of these asylees have traveled a great distance and risked everything to get here in search of a better life. Many have brought very little except the clothes on their back and a phone to communicate with family members and friends left behind. Many of the different cultures arriving are extremely friend and family oriented and need a space where not only they feel safe but where a new community can be developed and nurtured.
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Cooking is usually a family affair
Circles and the idea of unity in family are extremely important
Compound dwellings organized around courtyards
Site-lines and privacy are important in most homes
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Family Cooks together-large counter space
Community and Family Oriented
Social Spaces-Friends hangout in common areas
Colorful Exteriors-pink,blue,orange,green
Doors always open
Bedrooms Just for sleeping nothing else
Project Precedents
Current Campers on the market have everything a small family or individual needs, however, they are designed to stand alone and lack the ideas of community building and cultural sensitivity. These campers are not designed to exsist in large groups and when they do they become a bit of an eye sore. -
These campers are very industrial looking and not very welcoming nor similar to the aesthtic of the various different cultures
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Current campers on the market are great by themselves but take up far too much space for our current infrastructure to handle. If these campers were used we would not be able to house nearly enough people.
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Current campers require too much time and financial investment to be produced at the pace needed by the United States and asylees.
Opportunities and Metrics
These new mobile homes should be a celebration. They should say, " Welcome to America"
These homes should be compact and modular to house and fit as many homes as possible in a designated space. It should Build and maintain an environment where a community can form and flourish. Safety and Protection should be a priority A sense of ownership and home- on a rent to own bases, families who occupy these mobile homes will pay a small fee for facilities while they wait to be granted asylum. Once granted asylum they can buy the mobile home and take it with them where ever they might go in the U.S.Form Studies
