Originally, we first had the idea of finding a way to create affordable, sustainable housing through eco-homes. Through the planning process, however, we realized that what we were actually creating was closer to a portable sleeping area. We discussed many possible uses for this structure, such as having it be an overnight sleeping area for interns or people who needed a place to stay after a night at the club or a party. The original inspiration for our first design was the compact pod-living in Japan. Finally, we decided to gear this device for the homeless, who frequently need a place to spend the night.  We made a couple prototypes of possible designs we had for a portable living area and eventually decided on our Mobile Dome design and made a life-sized prototype. We then gathered our materials to make the structure.

In order to bend the plywood the perfect amount, we experimented with different cut patterns on the laser cutter. After much trial and error, we finally came to an appropriate design with the perfect amount of flexibility. We then doubled the wood to increase its strength and secured them with wood glue and pinned it down with clamps. We repeated this process to create two pieces of bendable wood that would serve as the curved ‘D’ part of our structure. The pieces were then  glued and nailed along the tombstone structure we cut using the laser cutter and bandsaw. We then attached a rectangular base to to the bottom using glue and nails. The resulting overhanging edges were cut and sanded down to create a level surface. With one half complete, we then repeated this process, but we made the second one slightly smaller so that the two halves could fit snugly inside one another. Once both halves were completed, we attached velcro strips to the edges of each structure. We then cut the cloth and attached additional velcro strips to it to serve as the middle portion of our structure.

We then attached wheels at the base in order to make it mobile and easily transportable. When in mobile form, it’s designed to serve as a storage area for the homeless’ belongings, such as clothes, food, or bedding. In order to make it easily reachable, we cut a smaller, tombstone shaped opening to serve as a door. We attached a handle as well as a locking mechanism to make it easily accessible and protected.

The Mobile Dome is a product designed to help homeless people with their day to day lives. The premise behind the design is shopping cart and homeless shelter reimagined. When on the go, the Mobile Dome becomes akin to a shopping cart. It rolls on wheels and is able to fit through standard doors while giving ample storage space for food, bedding, and other belongings. In its mobile form, the Mobile Dome has a lockable latch and a sealed covering, ensuring belongings don't get wet, damaged, or stolen. At night, or when the user wants to rest, the Mobile Dome easily turns into a spacious sleeping area - very similar to a tent. Two solid, plywood shells slide out of each other to form the structure, and then a breathable, rain cover easily velcros on, creating a dome, tent like sleeping shelter.

The Mobile Dome has use beyond just assisting the homeless. The product is very adaptable, and with a simple change of wheels, it  can be used for all kinds of recreation purposes, such as the beach, camping, or snowsports. It can even be used at home for the kids! With a product so versatile as the Mobile Dome, there are infinite uses.

The Mobile Dome structure was created using inexpensive ¼’’ and ½’’ plywood sheets. A laser cutter was used to cut small, alternating lines to allow the plywood sheets to bend more easily. The sheets were then glued & nailed together and bent into the curve. It is quite spacious in the Mobile Dome, but surprisingly, the whole structure is only 32’’ wide, allowing it to fit through doorways with ease. With a relatively low material cost, the product will be quite affordable when produced on a large scale.