Recycled plastic bricks tackle homelessness
CategoriesSustainable News

Recycled plastic bricks tackle homelessness

Spotted: Plastic waste is not only a problem in developed nations – it is a major problem globally, including in Africa, where it contaminates freshwater sources and has a big health impact.

Brickify is a Nigerian company working to solve this issue – and tackle homelessness – with one solution. The company collects plastic waste from families and individuals in exchange for cash. The waste is then used to manufacture plastic bricks for use as a construction material.

The bricks are made up of around 90 per cent of plastic waste, along with other materials that give them great strength and fire-resistant properties. The bricks interlock like Lego toys, so they can be used in construction without any additional materials. They are around 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than conventional bricks and will not decompose, so are very long-lasting.

Brickify has received small amounts of funding in the form of awards from Impactionable and the Social Innovations Competition. However, the company has also partnered with several state and national government agencies, corporate and non-profit organisations.

From using recycled plastic as a building material to turning waste plastic into non-toxic resin, tackling plastic waste is now the goal of a huge number of entrepreneurs as spotted by Springwise in the archive.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

shail patel imagines pods under bridges to tackle homelessness
CategoriesArchitecture

shail patel imagines pods under bridges to tackle homelessness

shail patel imagines an eco-friendly solution to homelessness

 

Imagining innovative solutions to address complex social issues, Shail Patel takes on artificial intelligence design tool Midjourney to conceptualize a series of modular pods that tackle homelessness. The architect offers a sustainable solution to the issue by activating ignored urban spaces and utilizing modular design to create a safe and dignified environment for the homeless population.

 

Each of the proposed pods are designed to be self-contained living spaces that provide residences privacy and comfort year-round — integrated with ample natural light, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems, and built out of eco-friendly materials.

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
series of pods floating above the stream | all images by Shail Patel

 

 

ai-generated modular structures for year-round comfort

 

Architect Shail Patel designs the modular form of the bridge pods to allow for easy construction and assembly, making it possible to quickly expand the project and offer housing for more individuals in need. In their forms, the pods are built with durable and sustainable materials, ensuring their longevity. The structures are also designed to include energy-efficient features such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, ensuring they sit with a reduced carbon footprint.

 

To ensure the safety of the residents, the sites are envisioned to be fitted with a state-of-the-art security system. They will further be staffed by social workers and healthcare professionals who provide critical support services, such as counseling, job training, and healthcare for rehabilitation. Additionally, Shail Patel imagines that the design could be replicated in other cities and communities, offering a new approach to addressing homelessness across the country.

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
Shail Patel takes on Midjourney to imagine innovative solutions to complex social issues

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
each of the proposed pods are designed to be self-contained living spaces for comfort and privacy

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
modular structures create a safe and dignified environment for the homeless population

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
the sites are envisioned to be fitted with state-of-the-art security systems

self-contained living pods by shail patel activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
the pods are built with durable and sustainable materials, ensuring their longevity

self-contained living pods activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
the project offers a sustainable solution to homelessness by activating ignored urban lots

self-contained living pods activate vacant lots under bridges to tackle homelessness
integrated with ample natural light, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems

ignored urban spaces bridge pods for homeless communities 4

 

 

project info:

 

name: Pods Underneath Bridges for Homeless Communities
designer: Shail Patel

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom



Reference