About the Designer: Hi, my name is Ashley Nunn. I am a third-year architecture student at Washington State University. Upcoming in the fall term, I will be traveling abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, to broaden my studies of digital application in design and learn more of their culture. When I return, I will be enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Program. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. When I am not at school I am preparing for a collaborate art gallery that will be showing in Los Angeles, during early August.
The Life of A Modern Nomad
After interviewing the homeless in Spokane, I designed a shelter to focus on transportability, protecting against weather, water collection, and storage. I was inspired by early African nomadic architecture and through my research concluded a sphere structure would be optimal. A sphere requires no inner supports, and if constructed properly, can resist environmental loads. My structure is made of five inflatable rings, the middle one being connected to a base. The rings can be deflated to allow the unit to be travel size and easy to transport. The rings sit flat on the ground and are connected to a movable base supported by scissor members. In the base of the unit there is storage, water collection, and purification system. Additionally, there are wheels and an extendable handle attached to the base to transport like a suitcase. Overall, this shelter can provide ease in daily life and serve as a transition towards permanent living.