Eugene has one of the highest populations of unhoused people per capita in the country. Our goal in creating this community is to provide people with shelter by designing micro-units that can be quickly assembled and are made out of inexpensive, but durable materials. In this project we are striving to create community for people who truly need one. To do this we hope to create a community focus on gardening and farming.
Residents
Jesse
Jesse was injured in Afghanistan by an IED. He lost his leg, and uses a Wheelchair to move about. He suffers from PTSD and recently was evicted from his apartment.
Needs
• A semi-permanent place to live
• Tools to become better
• A place to heal
• A Job
• Purpose
• Services
Theresa
Theresa lost her home to a wildfire. She lost everything except her dog Millie.
Needs
• Temporary Housing
• Control/ Safety
• A Place to heal
• Services
• Connection
Design Program
Create modular micro-units which can be:
• Assembled quickly to provide a temporary shelter for unhoused people
• Stacked or clustered together in various ways to suit the changing needs of residents over time
• Focus on universal design
• Have residents be involved in the construction of the units to create a sense of ownership over their home and this project
Community Gardening Program
• A community focus on gardening and farming
• This common activity brings the community together and can create economic resources
for the community and its members
• This activity also teaches residents skills
• Creates a connection to nature and to food production
• A focus on accepting and welcoming people from all backgrounds
Focus on Community
• Our program focuses on bringing the community together through common spaces
• We want to engage the local community as well as the residents by hosting farmer’s markets to sell the produce grown on site
• We also want to use our community spaces for entertainment such as music and movies
Precedents
Kengo Kuma: Yusuhara Town Hall
This case study served as our inspiration for our construction method. In the Yusuhara Town Hall, Kengo Kuma designed a structural system that used 4-post columns, which allow for beams to pass through them. The flexibility of this structural idea appealed to us as we were searching for a system that allowed for modularity and adaptability.
Shigeru Ban: Halsey Nine Bridges
We were inspired by this case study by Shigeru Ban. Ban creates a structure that blends a grid shell structure with dendriform columns. The quality of light and the beauty of the structure is very inspiring.
Construction
Types of Wall Panels
Phasing
Phase 1: Emergency Units and Amenities Building
Phase 2: Platform for Units + Community Building
Phase 3: Warming Building + Development of Units
Floor Plan Variations
Community Building
And…
After helping with the construction of the units Jesse helped build and worked in the garden. He received services onsite and was able to gain the skills he needed to adapt to his PTSD. He eventually bought a piece of land outside of the city. He purchased and took his modular home with him and opened an accessible farm. He still provides produce for the community.
Theresa was able to find healing in serving others by cooking at the community hub. Her recipes are still used regularly to the enjoyment of all. She eventually was able to rebuild and move home. She still volunteers weekly to cook and train others. Millie enjoys coming along.
Our Team
Timber Tectonics in the Digital Age 
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