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.
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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
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
Status:
Ongoing
Built:
Homekey Mountain View
San Mateo County Navigation Center
Location:
California
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Step(0)
TEMPOARY
Supportive Housing
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Off-Grid ‘Now House’ or ‘City’
Light Touch
Quick Build
Easily Relocatable
Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
Portable 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
Step(0) - Now House
Temporary, Off-Grid, Light Touch, Quick Build, Easily Relocatable, Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
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Single Module w/ Porch Attachment
Double Module w/ Porch Attachments
Bathroom or Laundry Module - Attachment or Stand-alone
Single Module
Double Module
Single Module w/ Bathroom Attachment
Double Module w/ Bathroom Attachment
Step(0) - City
Off-Grid, Light Touch, Quick Build, Easily Relocatable, Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts
Off-the-Shelf Kit of Parts:
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
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
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
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(1)
Interim Supportive Housing`
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Project Sites:
San Jose
2.02 acres
3 tories
188 doors
Under construction
2.02 acres
3 tories
188 doors
Under construction
Kit of Parts:
sl-2-ba
2-Unit Sleeping Module
w/ Private Bathrooms
200 gsf/unit
w/ Private Bathrooms
200 gsf/unit
spt-1
Support Services Module
(1) 0ffice
200 gsf
Support Services Module
(1) 0ffice
200 gsf
sl-4
4-Unit Sleeping Module
100 gsf/unit
100 gsf/unit
ts-2
Toilet and Shower Module
(2) toilet rooms
(1) janitor’s Closet
(2) toilet rooms
(1) janitor’s Closet
sl-3
3-Unit Sleeping Module
133 gsf/unit
133 gsf/unit
fs-1
Food Service Module
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
(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
spt-4
Support Services Module
(4) offices
100 gsf/office
(4) offices
100 gsf/office
ts-4
Toilet and Shower Module
(4) toilet + lavatory compartments
(3) shower stalls
(4) toilet + lavatory compartments
(3) shower stalls
Site Installation:
These modules have been designed so
they may be transformed into dwelling
units with kitchens after being occupied
initially as sleeping units without cooking:
Step(2)
Permanent Supportive Housing
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Option A
(6) Studio Units
(2) 1-Bedroom Units
(2) 2-Bedroom Units
(6) Studio Units
(2) 1-Bedroom Units
(2) 2-Bedroom Units
Option B
(11) Studio Units
(1) 1-Bedroom Unit
(1) 2-Bedroom Unit
(11) Studio Units
(1) 1-Bedroom Unit
(1) 2-Bedroom Unit
Option C
(7) Studio Units
(3) 1-Bedroom Units
(1) 2-Bedroom Units
(7) Studio Units
(3) 1-Bedroom Units
(1) 2-Bedroom Units
Option D
(13) Studio Units
(7) 1-Bedroom Units
(1) 2-Bedroom Unit
(7) 1-Bedroom Units
(1) 2-Bedroom Unit
The Step(2) basic module can be arrayed in an almost infinite number of configurations and can yield a variety of unit mixes. The four examples here utilize only ONE module with an off-set corridor plus a vertical circulation module, with or without elevators depending on the number of stories.
Copyright: Office of Charles F. Bloszies, 2024