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Step(x) Housing:

Ongoing

Architects have experimented on disadvantaged people with good intentions but limited success. This idea is novel, but not experimental. It has been derived from listening to unhoused people themselves and the social service providers who have devoted their careers to taking on one of society’s most intractable problems: homelessness.

This is an ongoing project that has culminated in multiple built examples and proposals.

Status:
Ongoing
Built:
Homekey Mountain View
San Mateo County Navigation Center
Location:
California
Awards:
World Changing Ideas 2024 Award - Fast Company
Community Impact Award - 2023 Silicon Valley Business Journal
Structures Awards

Award of Merit: Government/Public Building - 2023 ENRCalifornia Regional Best Projects
Press:
“Homeless Shelters That Prioritize ‘the Three Ps’ - Especially Privacy” Jane Margolies, New York Times, August 29, 2024
“This Modular Building Eases the Transition for Formerly Homeless People without Sacrificing their Comfort” Nate Berg, Fast Company, May 14, 2024

“With the San Mateo County Navigation Center, Charles F. Bloszies Pioneers a Rapid Response to Homelessness” Clare Jacoson, Architectural Record, May 1, 2024
“It will be the biggest navigation center in Northern California. Can it end homelessness in this Bay Area?” Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, December 26, 2022

“Cost of Ending California’s Homeless Crisis: $100B,”Jack Rodgers, ALM GlobeSt, December 22, 2022

“In Silicon Valley, a Successful Homeless Housing Solution“ Mike Welton, Architects and Artisans, October 14, 2022

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Step(-1)

UNHOUSED
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Step(0)

TEMPOARY
Supportive Housing
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Off-Grid
Light Touch
Quick Build
Easily Relocatable
Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
Shipping Containers
Movie Set Showers and Bathrooms
Food Trucks

Step(1)

INTERIM
Supportive Housing
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Campus Style Array of Modules
Can Fit Any Site
Scalable
Cost Effective
PROVEN Concept

Step(2)

PERMANENT
Supportive Housing
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Campus Style Array of Modules
Can Fit Any Site
Scalable
Cost Effective
PROVEN Concept

A built example of our Step(1) concept, 275 Blomquist

Step(0) - City

Off-Grid, Light Touch, Quick Build, Easily Relocatable, Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
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Food Truck
permanent location for duration of facility
requires on-site power water and sewer
OR
maintenance service for off-grid

Bathrooms/Showers
5 Station Bathroom Trailer
(4) standard showers + (1) ADA station
225 gallon fresh water tank (~200 uses)
450 gallon waste tank (~800 uses)

various manufacturers
purchase or rent

Sleeping Units
factory modified 40 foot shipping container
(4) sleeping rooms in each unit
self-sufficient - low voltage uses from solar

Support Units
factory modified 20 foot shipping container
open office configuration
number of support units varies with size of facility
self-suffient - low voltage uses from solar

Step(0) - Now House

Off-Grid, Light Touch, Quick Build, Easily Relocatable, Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
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Sleeping
Single Module w/ Porch Attachment

Sleeping
Double Module w/ Porch Attachments

Wet Module
Bathroom or Laundry Module - Attachment or Stand-alone

Food Service

Sleeping
Single Module

Sleeping
Double Module

Sleeping
Single Module w/ Bathroom Attachment

Sleeping
Double Module w/ Bathroom Attachment

Support Services

Step(1)

Interim Supportive Housing
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Kit of Parts:

SL-3
3-Unit Sleeping Module
133 gsf/unit

SL-4
4-Unit Sleeping Module
100 gsf/unit

SL-2-BA
2-Unit Sleeping Module
w/ Private Bathrooms
200 gsf/unit

SL-FAM
Flexible Back to Back Modules
(2) 400 gsf units with private bathrooms
or (1) 400 gsf unit with private bathrooms + (2) 200 gsf unit with shared bathrooms
or (4) 200 gsf units with shared bathrooms
or (1) 800 gsf unit with (2) private bathrooms

TS-4
Toilet and Shower Module
(4) toilet + lavatory compartments
(3) shower stalls

TS-2
Toilet and Shower Module
(2) toilet rooms
(1) janitor’s Closet

SPT-4
Support Services Module
(4) offices
100 gsf/office

FS-1
Food Service Module

Site Installation:

Project Sites:

Mountain View
0.99 acres
1 story
102 doors
Completed

Palo Alto
1.44 acres
3 stories
104 doors
Under construction

San Jose
2.02 acres
3 stories
188 doors
Under construction

Redwood City

2.52 acres
3 stories
240 doors
Completed

These modules have been designed so they may be transformed into dwelling units with kitchens after being occupied initially as sleeping units without cooking:

A Pullman kitchen will be installed in the factory without a refrigerator or range hood.

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