04081 Shelter Design Challenge

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris

We learn design by doing design. These small design projects will give you practice in thinking about whole systems design.

Sleeping Areas

A primary issue in designing spaces to be occupied by multiple persons is privacy.

Design a sleeping room to be occupied by two persons. Then, redesign it to be occupied by four persons.

Keeping in mind the need to live in smaller spaces . . .

Is it better to use one room for two or four persons, or to have small private bedrooms? Such small rooms could perhaps be big enough for a single bed (if one person) or a double bed (if two), a dresser, bedside table, and a clothes closet. How small can such a room be and still work for its occupant(s)?

If multiple people sleep in one room, what privacy amenities could be included? How big does it need to be to work in each version? Bonus points for setting a room up like this and finding friends to test occupy it for a few days to see how it works.

What about using sleeping alcoves, enclosed for privacy?

Make a list of the beneficial connections between these “sleeping systems” and the rest of the housing unit.