“Our project will research encampments on Oʻahu to formulate a design framework that addresses the needs of houseless communities and learns from their resourcefulness and resilience. We will be working closely with three previously houseless individuals to document, draw, and construct digital and physical models of informal, transient, and future shelters and dwellings that represent the trajectories of the three individuals. This research will allow us to learn what defines shelter, safety, territory, and community in this context. With this feedback, we will co-create a design framework that is grounded in the perspectives of houseless individuals, and develop a vision for a more optimal environment.”

This team will be supporting Ka Po’e o Kaka’ako’s upcoming exhibition in the Honolulu Museum of Art this summer.

Student research team:
Anthony Butac, Michael Corotan, Jessa Dela Cruz, Monet Jones

Community partners:
Ka Poʻe o Kakaʻako
Noe Tanigawa

Faculty mentor:
Cathi Ho Schar