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:
“The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees” Planetizen, April 15, 2025
“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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“Tiny House” Model
Durable And Relocatable
Flexible And Scalable
Rapid Build, Light Touch, Low Cost
Leverages Existing Facilities to Minimize Site and Infrastructure Cost
Durable And Relocatable
Flexible And Scalable
Rapid Build, Light Touch, Low Cost
Leverages Existing Facilities to Minimize Site and Infrastructure Cost
Campus Style Array of Modules
Flexible and Scalable
Faster And Less Expensive Than Traditional Construction.
Critical Step Between Emergency Shelter And Permanent Housing.
PROVEN Concept
Flexible and Scalable
Faster And Less Expensive Than Traditional Construction.
Critical Step Between Emergency Shelter And Permanent Housing.
PROVEN Concept
Apartment Buidling Model
Flexible and Scalable
Faster And Less Expensive than Traditional Construction
Entire building with only One Module
Flexible and Scalable
Faster And Less Expensive than Traditional Construction
Entire building with only One Module