Congratulations to Alli DiGiacomo, Caitlin Ellis, Erik Reynolds, and Kris Sambor for winning AIA Rochester’s 2021 Designers Unleashed Competition! The competition challenged participants to take an actual site available for development in the city of Rochester and unleash their ideas upon it, without mercy or recourse, showcasing its full architectural and design potential.
For this year’s competition, designers were challenged to draw on Rochester’s reputation as an international music and cultural festival destination. Lodging for out of towners is often relegated to hotels or short-term private rentals, as such, they are limited in their capacity. The challenge was to design a mobile, modular structure that has a version capable of housing 2 people on a site of 30’x15’, and a version capable of housing 4 people on a site of 30’x30’.
FlexPods: Flexible Living Modules, our team’s winning design, services the festival crowds and focuses on two primary goals: Flexibility and Identity. FlexPods can be adapted into various configurations not only to address number of occupants, but also weather, privacy, security, and fun!
The FlexPod unit is an easily transportable and lightweight 7′-0″ cube with a solid ‘utility wall’ panel on one end that includes built-in lighting, roof downspouts, a storage closet, and a murphy bed. With the bed stored away, the entire FlexPod becomes an open living space. There are limitless ways to combine units, open walls, create shade, block or invite summer winds through the use of privacy shades, glass, solid walls and more. FlexPods can be deployed in a variety of applications. Not only can they create temporary communities for festivals, but they can also be used in federal emergency situations, as shelter for the homeless, and for farmers markets. FlexPods are easy to reconfigure, creating various conditions with a single unit. The site diagrams demonstrate how units create clusters with varying experiences. The space created between FlexPods becomes even more interesting than the unit itself. The design’s focus was not on flashy forms, but about place-making and enhancing experience.
FlexPods also focus on identity. Each unit has its own unique color and pattern. Identity is especially important while providing shelter for homeless residents. The colors and patterns enhance the festival aesthetic and aid in wayfinding. Units can also be sponsored and branded by local companies to generate revenue.
FlexPods conveniently fit on a standard parking space, easily conforming to any open lot. Once unloaded, let the end users customize their experience. The configurations are endless!
See some of the team members discuss their concept here:
https://youtu.be/258xDEo6XKM?list=TLGGG_JAJjoqw_YxNTA2MjAyMQ