Bootstrap Homes: Archive

Progress of sorts

I’ve been working on my thesis paper, and on the instruction manual for building these. Thank you, Ian, for the editing pass!
I also talked to Amy of B-Line, and got to ask questions about their delivery trikes’ axles, brakes, and lights. Amy has an idea for urban farming as a source of income for people living in these Boots, and has some of the pieces lined up already - people and community gardens to host beehives and chicken coops, a beekeeper eager to help the project grow, and homeless people interested in participating. Going to be fun to see how that project grows, and in the meantime, I’m designing a modular chicken coop for her.

Mar 27, 20121 note

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Hey, I live near the Goodfoot in SE and was on a late night run last night when I ran into one of (or maybe THE ONE?) your homes. It was thrilling and confusing all at once, and I was led to your Tumblr by the plaque on the outside with the address. I am super interested in your project and would love to know more about it... Is the home I saw currently inhabited? (it was one one with planter-panniers on the outside)... I think you're on to something great!

Hi! Welcome! (Oh my goodness, your tumblr is full of gorgeous things. Hope you don’t mind me watching you from my personal tumblr.)

Yes, that home is currently inhabited! The gentleman inside is keeping a journal of his experiences, so I hope that entries from that will be available soon. He’s pretty cool, if you drop by some time when he’s awake and in.

Yes, that is THE ONE! The one in all the photos here, and the only one on the street at the moment, but I’m working hard to finish another one! I’m also looking for people to design the exteriors for the next MANY, because that’s how many I plan to build!

This started as my thesis project at Pacific Northwest College of Art. It’s pretty simple: $300 homes on wheels, constructed by volunteers. They’re mobile, they’re individual, and they’re something that the owner can take pride in. Making and owning something really changes a person’s attitude towards it, I find… and being able to wash, cook, and lock up your belongings in a dry place makes a HUGE difference in livability and one’s ability to work, study, and interact with others. The unique exteriors - well, I want to give people something good to look at, so that when they see one, they don’t think ‘ew, homeless’ - they think ‘ooh, a home!’

I’m probably doing this all out of order, but so far I’ve got the design and materials specs, and have built one home by myself. For the second one, I’m gathering volunteers to help build (and writing the instruction manual.) For the third, I’m going to need to apply for grants, and so I’m starting that off, as well. And in the middle of all this, I’m trying to get positive publicity for the project, get official recognition for it, and writing my thesis paper!

Mar 16, 2012

#bootstrap homes #homeless #alternative #boots #a word from our sponsors #bootiful people #askbox

This is a wonderful undertaking. It addresses one of the most concerning aspects of being without a home, and it does it in a way that is very smart. Good luck with getting it out there, I'll do my part by telling people about it and sending them here. With some luck and word of mouth I'm sure this will take like wildfire.

Thank you so much! This idea really, really needs lots of other people involved to make it work: talking about it, living in it, building it and refining the design. Unfortunately (?) I’m a lot better at building than talking to people! But I’ve got the idea out here, now, and you’re picking it up!
It is smart, isn’t it? Of course it’s got its problems: what do you do if you have a car, as well? What do you do if your city doesn’t allow camping in a trailer? But I think that for a lot of people, it can be a major boost. It’s dry, it’s secure, it’s mobile, it grants autonomy, control, and a degree of dignity… and a place to wash, cook, and sleep. Individual shelters mean that people with contagious illnesses can have shelter. Ease of construction means that people can build their own, and expand the number of Boots to fit any population… and when someone moves out of one into more permanent shelter, they can simply leave it to the next person who needs one.
I hope it works, anyway. I’m going to try my best, and I’m very glad of anyone willing to help this idea take off!

Mar 15, 2012

#bootstrap homes #homeless #alternative #boots #a word from our sponsors #bootiful people #askbox

Mar 15, 201211 notes

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Mar 15, 201211 notes

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Finally, some real content

Q: What are the most expensive components of these Bootstrap Homes?

A: The two most expensive components of the Boots are the wheels, and the mistakes.

In case anyone thought I was an actual competent human being, here’s what my production schedule looked like on the first Boot:

Mar 12, 20122 notes

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Hello, i'm Sammy / Saul; Streetroots vendor at whole foods NW 12th and couch( next to Powells' city of books. Do you know of some event with B'shares? I've been approached by them and need to find out more...S

I hadn’t heard of B-Shares before, but I was able to find some stuff online! They seem to be legit. B-Line is a bicycle delivery service, and B-Share is their program that takes surplus/about-to-expire food from supermarkets and restaurants where it won’t sell, to charities that provide food to people who can’t afford as much as they need. Are they asking you to pedal a trike for them? I can’t tell if they pay their drivers for the charity routes. Here’s their site.

When is the event? I’m interested!

Mar 11, 2012

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The Eagle has landed

The Boot has launched.

I’m going to go fall over, now. I haven’t slept in my own bed for two nights running.
I did sleep, though. Photos later.

Mar 9, 2012

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Better stuff!

My occupant got back to me! He’s still interested, and we’re taking it to the DMV Friday morning.

I also met with my mentor, and got a review of my midterm panel and some advice on my thesis paper.

Mar 7, 2012

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Frustrations

I know I ought to be posting here more often. I’ve got a lot to talk about! I want to post the early design work I did, and links to all my research resources!

I wish my occupant would get back in touch with me. I understand, he’s depressed and it’s a long commute, and when we met I wasn’t exactly well-prepared to get him involved in building. Still. The Boot just needs lights and a hitch, and then I need him to take it to the DMV for its inspection and license. It’s rather difficult to tell photographers and other interested parties when I’ll be taking it to the DMV for its public launch when I don’t know.

Monday, I had my midterm reviews. They went beautifully, and I got lots of good feedback, some more things to think about, and a bunch of green lights on ‘go ahead and take this to people who can spread the idea!’ I’m going to try and get in touch with the Oregonian and Street Roots, Sisters of the Road, and apply for some RACC grants. However, after my midterms, I had a bit of a… moment. Everything seemed too much for one person, especially me. I am terrible at letting go of my ideas, letting other people make suggestions and have control. I’m terrible at getting in touch with people and even worse at staying in touch. This project is REALLY stretching me as a person and an artist, and sometimes I feel like Moses yelling at God to send his brother to the pharaoh instead, someone who doesn’t stutter!
But I had the idea. It’s something I really, REALLY want to see happen in the world, and I don’t care how much work it takes or who I have to beg for help.
I just also get stress migraines that leave me throwing up for six hours. I still feel a bit shaky. (Here’s a public thank-you to Jesse, Graham, and Ian for taking care of me.)

Anyway, more posts soon, and of a greater variety than I have been posting. With the first Boot almost out of the way, I can and want to step back, reflect, and connect with people.

Mar 7, 2012

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Not a huge deal

but I figured out how to build the candle stove and got started on the sink, today. I mostly put in the trim, but ran out of caulk.

Mar 4, 2012

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Bootstrap Homes

March 2012

11 posts