MOBILE HOMELESS SHELTER

This project explores the adaptive reuse of shipping containers as flexible, human-centred living infrastructure. Three key container types are proposed a sleeping pod unit, a communal kitchen, and a toilet/shower amenities block. At the micro scale, each container is carefully planned to maximise comfort, dignity, and usability within a compact footprint. The sleeping container accommodates eight individual pods in a bunk configuration, each with integrated storage, personal shelves, and charging access, finished in warm, insulating materials suited to Canberra’s climate. The kitchen container features a bi-fold servery door and continuous work surfaces that support both shared meal preparation and informal gathering. The amenities block provides four private toilet cubicles and two enclosed showers, ensuring hygiene and individual privacy.

When combined, these containers form more than functional accommodation they create the foundation for community. Their arrangement allows residents to eat together, share space, and reconnect with others in a supportive environment. Outdoor areas can be furnished with simple, movable seating, greenery, and communal tables, and the cluster can be located adjacent to public parks or open landscapes to extend activity and belonging beyond the container walls. Scalable, relocatable, and adaptable, the project demonstrates how small modular interventions can meaningfully foster social connection and collective well-being.