Masha Ustinova

How could design solve large societal problems? The count of rough sleepers in Greater Manchester was 500 in 2018, which has tripled since 2014, and this is not the whole picture: it estimated that there were 5,500 homeless people in Greater Manchester in 2018. As a believer that designers have the responsibility for what is being built, I propose an urban intervention which aims to help people who experienced homelessness. The building is a skills builder hub and a social spot. Its purpose is to prevent reoccurring homelessness by helping people to secure employment, get permanent accommodation and become part of the local community. The design takes into account insights from experts regarding individual needs and psychology of the homeless, and includes design elements which encourage the sense of community, safety and purpose.