Meet the SPINSPACE team!

Matt - Advanced Practice
Sonnemann Toon Architects
BArch: University of Lincoln
Most likely to not fit in the pod

Tasha - Advanced Practice
Julian Harrap Architects LLP
BA: The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
Likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain

Laurence - Advanced Practice
b2 Architects
BA: University of Nottingham
Most likely to get the beers in

Aslan - Advanced Practice
BM3 Architecture Ltd
BA: University of Nottingham
Dislikes clapping when the plane lands

Liam - Advanced Practice
IBI Group
BA: Newcastle University
Likes long walks on the beach

Meet our collaborator : SPIN

SPIN (Supporting People in Need) are a charitable
organisation based in Manchester, tackling the ongoing issue
of homelessness and poverty. Their mission is to help and support
vulnerable and socially-excluded people living in poverty and rough-sleeping
in the streets of Manchester. Their main focus is on the rehabilitation of people, educating the residents to get them back into working society.

Find out more about homelessness and soup kitchens in the UK via these links:

BBC Radio 4 - Podcast
Feeding the Problem
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000cnhc

BBC iPlayer - Video
The Big Questions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000g08q/the-big-questions-series-13-episode-5

To get you inspired, here are some Pod and Small Space Projects in the UK and abroad. What do you think is successful about these projects? Which elements would you take forward in your Pod design? How do you think the project helped people?

Amazing Grace Spaces
http://amazinggracespaces.org/
A pod for the homeless developed in Wales, the project not only provides shelter but support from the Amazing Grace Spaces community. What began as small pods has developed into starter homes made from recycled shipping containers.

Home for the Night
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/look-inside-stunning-transformation-double-2171357
This double decker bus was renovated by Help Bristol's Homeless provides a bed for the night for the city's homeless. Although it is just a temporary solution, it can sleep 12 people, and long term the charity has also refurbished shipping containers.

Pop Up Hawse
https://www.levittbernstein.co.uk/sketchbook-ideas/pop-up-hawse/
Designed as halfway homes for the homeless, Levitt Bernstein designed these small homes for under £20,000 construction cost each. Through the HAWSE scheme (Homes through Apprenticeships With Skills for Employment), the houses themselves are built by the future tenants,

Zedpods
https://zedpods.com/
Zedpods are modular and environmentally friendly starter homes which can be built anywhere, even in a car park! This housing is affordable and targetted at first time buyers and those who wouldn't be able to nromally afford a house.

Feeling inspired? Join SpinSpace.

The pod we design will need to be multifunctional and adaptable to all of
the different functions. Here are some requirements to consider:

LEARN
The space will be available to all the residents to use as they wish. SPIN currently have a workshop where residents can learn carpentry skills, but the pod will be a space where they can learn alternative skills.

TALK
Part of the process at SPIN is talking through any issues the residents have with a trained professional or with the staff. Currently there is no space where they can talk privately, so this is an important function of the pod.

CONNECT
Residents will be able to use the pod as an additional social space, so plenty of seating and space is needed. SPIN is more than a bed for the night, its a community that many old residents return to and is part of what makes SPIN successful.

REFLECT
In addition to needing a quiet space to talk to staff, its important for the residents to have a space where they can reflect or simply have some time to themselves, something many residents miss about having their own home.

In addition to these four requirements, do you have ideas for more functions of the pod? Join SpinSpace and get creative!