M.A.D.S.
Mobile Automated Dwelling SYstem
In the next ten to fifteen years, the overcrowding of urban centers will continue in an upward
trend. Resultantly, the price of housing will continue to climb, forcing all but the top level earners out of their homes. Automation and self driving vehicles will become ubiquitous. Rather than leave entirely, many residents will opt to buy a mobile home, solving the problem of housing cost but introducing a new one by occupying a public space. While technically illegal, law enforcement often looks the other way. The cities, not wanting to loose the workforce, will invest in infrastructure to support, rather than vilify this urban camper movement.
Solution
Leverage autonomous vehicle technology to a home scale. M.A.D.s are the intersection of autonomous cars and tiny homes.
Mobile
The existing population of RV dwellers in the
city serves as proof. Mobility removes problematic rent
structure and pricing-out by eliminating the static constraint - land. Here the M.A.D.s transform the vacant parking lot at Candlestick Park.
autonomous
The reality of ubiquitous autonomous vehicles in the near
future allows for same creature comforts of home
while removing the stressors of driving, parking
and anxiety leaving all possesions vulnerable
Research
restrictions
Recent legislation has made it difficult, if not impossible, to park an oversize vehicle (RV) overnight.
Documentation
I hit the streets to document RV camping with the city of San Francisco. What I found was a culture comprised of modification out of necessity. The vulnerability of not only the tenants, but of their entire body of worldly possessions resonated most deeply.
To identify the hierarchy of need of the objects in my personal space, I took POV video of myself arriving and leaving my apartment. In trying to document myself in an unconscious manner, I was able to reveal idiosyncrasies that later proved useful in designing the M.A.D.s.
Ideation
With such a vast scale, I honed in on a couple points to ground the project. I focused in on the system of communication and stacking, the unit interior, the transitional chair within the vehicle, and a wrist fob with which to communicate with the car.
Community
It's paramount that these dwellings are seen as boon and not bane. They can encourage community growth and make the city better around them.
Location
I identified three areas within the city - Candlestick Park, SoMa Best Buy, and Ocean Beach - as potential spots for temporary encampments. By occupying spaces that are unused at night, the M.A.D.s take advantage of empty space. These locations also have existing facilities and infrastructure to support them.
