Persistent social issues require innovative designs and out-of-the-box thinking to solve. Or, in this particular case, it’s literally inside-the-box thinking that’s helping the homeless in one South German city.
The city of Ulm launched a creative program to help the homeless find emergency shelter at night and 6 entrepreneurs and technical experts rose to the challenge. They created a pair of sleeping capsules, or ‘nests,’ that are perfect for those who are very reluctant to go to traditional shelters. The capsules allow the homeless to get some sleep, as well as to stay warm and safe in winter when it’s incredibly dangerous to be outside.
However, the project is still in its pilot phase—tests are still being conducted and development is still underway. Check out the photos from the Ulmer Nest project below. Let us know what you think about this initiative, dear Pandas, and share how your cities are helping the homeless in the comment section.
More info: UlmerNest.de | Facebook
These futuristic-looking pods in the German city of Ulm are emergency shelters for the homeless to sleep in during the winter months
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
The shelters are meant to be used only in emergencies and are not an alternative to regular housing
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Life might be hard (far harder for some of us than others), but it’s hardly all doom and gloom. Creative people like the entrepreneurs in Ulm are putting their heads together to come up with solutions to serious problems every single day. The initiative in Ulm, a city of over 126k inhabitants, is the perfect example of practical and socially conscious design and, frankly, it’s a small silver lining that gives hope for the future.
Some homeless people might not want to stay at regular shelters because of psychological reasons or because pets like dogs aren’t allowed inside. So the ‘nests’ are a perfect alternative.
The only downside is that there’s a limited number of them and that they’re put up only during winter. However, the designers explained that it’s not supposed to be an alternative living space. Rather, it’s a place to sleep during an emergency so that the homeless don’t get frostbite.
The Ulmer Nest project was started up at the request of the city of Ulm as part of their temporary problem-solving initiative “Wilhelmsbüro” in 2018. The team behind the project to help the homeless consisted of product and interface designers, as well as software and hardware developers.
Each ‘nest’ is still assembled by hand and their current cost is higher than it will be once the prototypes are done being improved. The pods are well-insulated, have solar panels installed in them, and even have enough space for luggage and a pet. The ‘nests’ are professionally cleaned after use to ensure that acceptable hygiene standards are maintained.
Some people still believe that the Ulmer Nests are an art project, but, even though they look great, they have a real, practical use that saves lives.
The ‘nests’ are still in their prototype phase and are continuously being developed by the entrepreneurs and design experts of Ulm
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
You’ll find the pods in Ulm only in winter when there’s a high chance that some homeless people can get frostbite
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
Image credits: ulmernest
The post German Designers Create Insulated Sleep Pods For The Homeless To Stay In During Winter first appeared on Bored Panda.
from Bored Panda https://bit.ly/3sKIoe1
via Boredpanda
