Craftsmen when creating antique keys allowed the clients to have a freedom of choice in how they wanted the key to look. Therefore the variety of these keys provided great inspiration for our concepts process in curating sleeping pods for unaccompanied women who are affected by homelessness. Which in San Marcos, there is an abundant need for. The worn metals of these keys relates to the worn obstacle that these women have faced for varying periods of time. However, our goal is to restore their c

The circulation organization used was radial to keep the center of the pod free for circulation. The relationship is adjacent spaces, so these women don’t feel like they are confined within a singular box. That is why we put a desk outside of the pod and a private bathroom within the pod.

Transitional housing centers provide people affected by homelessness the opportunity to put their needs first. Keys can unlock things to provide access to potentially anything. Our pods unlock access to everything essential for these women's personal needs to be met within a singular space, such as; multiple storage opportunities, a futon, a television for entertainment, a full sized bathroom within the pod, a mirror, clothing storage, a workspace, and privacy.

Here a section sketch is provided to understand the layout of the pod when the futon is folded for seating opportunities, if and or when the client would like company within their space. This became a great addition to the pod using the principle element that is, sense of community.

The “patio” is shown here to ideate what the desk and the area looks like when on the outside of the pod. We created a push-down-spring-up desk storage space that can become hidden underneath the desk when not in use. This idea came from the concept of antique keys being a mystery when relating to what they unlock. Therefore, the storage can become a mystery of what lies within to those who it does not belong to.

These women are usually unable to sleep well due to concern of their personal items being stolen. Based on our inspiration of Artemis, who provided the women she tended to with security, we have curated a built in with maximum amount of storage that is locked or unlocked at the client’s convenience. This can increase these women’s sense of security. Exactly how a key to lock a space can provide security.

Providing means of expression allows these women to pursue hope in exiting homelessness. Women and keys share uniqueness. No two are alike. Therefore the pod provides a chalk wall that becomes unique to the user themselves. These walls are used for the expression of their thoughts, creativity, or even writing down of important dates. This key component empowers these women to unlock their potential for a more controllable lifestyle, through dignity and stress management.

Continuing with means of expression, the pod will have the back of the TV LED strips for personal control over color expression based on the user’s preference. This component can increase personal control and personal space, which are two important principles in the success of building a pathway from homelessness. Curating further on the idea of personal control, a futon will be in each pod for freedom of choice. Whether these women want a bed or a couch is up to them!

Duplicating areas within a transitional housing center can ensure confusion doesn't occur. Therefore, each pod will use the same materials and floorplan to ensure wayfinding is easier to navigate. This can help with stress management.

After ideating multiple versions of adjacency layouts, this one was the best since it created a high adjacency between the pods and community kitchen to the seating areas. The goal was to create areas of communal gathering that were close to the zones that provided the client’s with their essential needs without increasing the stress on these women when they left their pods. Stress management was considered when making this decision.