The floorplan ideates the overall view of the structure from a bird’s eye. The structure incorporates steel as a material selection. Steel plays with light reflection relating to a firefly’s elytra. Fireflies have a strong exoskeleton, therefore the structure has one as well, since steel is one of the strongest metals in the world.

Research suggests that having means to various separated support systems is necessary to increase the transition from transitional housing to stable housing, but all the parts are needed. Fireflies have three separated parts of their body that function as a whole mechanism. Therefore, the structure has two entry points and one exit point functioning as one path.

The free-formed curves create a sense of freewill of walking throughout the center of the space. Fireflies use their legs for walking when they are not in flight, which inspired the idea.

The relevance of this idea follows the findings that a spectrum of women do visit the structure, shining light on how homelessness does not discriminate, like how a firefly uses elytra to shine light on their environment. To represent the elytra, the structure plays with light filtration through the use of openings throughout the various levels of the space, shining light on the user at all angles, providing light for the user to fly away from the dark.

Creating shelter for people affected by homelessness supports physical and mental well-being, increasing overall community health. This can be done by adding expressive design, such as the diverse curvilinear structure seen here. Much like the fireflies use their antennae to navigate, these women have various feelings that need to be discovered in order to help them further their understandings of their surroundings mentally. Psychological support is directly linked to the exiting of homelessnes

Fifty percent of unaccompanied female youth are without shelter at night, but unlike the firefly this is not their natural or a safe habitat. Various resting points representing how a firefly behaves when it comes out at night will be provided within the structure along the inverted curves of the forms. This relates to the need of rest for these women from feeling concerned about their immediate surroundings.

Housing statuses are also improved through the inclusion of all clients and help them take flight onto better living situations. The overlapping forms play as an abstraction of a firefly’s wings and their covers that allow protection of the wings when not in flight.