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Architecture

Gregory Project concept envisions billboards to house the homeless

By Adam Williams
June 26, 2014
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The Gregory Project, by DesignDevelop (Image: DesignDevelop)
The project remains a concept at present, but creator DesignDevelop envisions that the Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica could eventually see the first rollout of the Gregory Project (Image: DesignDevelop)
The Gregory Project, by DesignDevelop (Image: DesignDevelop)
From the renders provided, the interior of the billboard looks small but relatively luxurious (Image: DesignDevelop)
The interior sports a television and lounge, bathroom, sleeping area, and kitchen (Image: DesignDevelop)
Access is gained via steps (Image: DesignDevelop)
From the renders provided, the interior of the billboard looks small but relatively luxurious (Image: DesignDevelop)
Interior shot of the raised sleeping area (Image: DesignDevelop)
The use of off-grid technology such as solar energy and composting toilets is being considered (Image: DesignDevelop)
There are a few windows inside (Image: DesignDevelop)
It's early days yet, but DesignDevelop is seeking architects and sponsors in order to move the project forward (Image: DesignDevelop)
Interior shot of the bathroom (Image: DesignDevelop)
The bathroom is small but functional (Image: DesignDevelop)
A composting toilets is being considered (Image: DesignDevelop)
Access is gained via steps (Image: DesignDevelop)
Exterior render of a billboard home (Image: DesignDevelop)
The project remains a concept at present, but creator designdevelop envisions that the Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica could eventually see the first rollout of the Gregory Project (Image: DesignDevelop)
View gallery - 16 images

Gizmag is no stranger to projects which aim to turn the ubiquitous billboard into something more interesting, including an air-purifying billboard, and an artist's retreat. The Gregory Project concept by DesignDevelop continues this theme by envisioning that billboards in the Republic of Slovakia serve as viable small homes for the homeless.

From the renders provided, the interior of the billboard looks small but relatively luxurious, and is split into two rooms. The first room contains entrance hall, kitchen area and small office desk, with raised bed and storage. The second room sports a bathroom with washbasin, toilet and shower.

DesignDevelop told Gizmag that, since the billboard homes would be placed close to accommodated areas, there would be the possibility to connect them to local electricity, plumbing and water facilities. A company rep also said that the use of off-grid technology such as solar panels and composting toilet is being considered.

The use of off-grid technology such as solar energy and composting toilets is being considered (Image: DesignDevelop)

The project remains a concept at present, but DesignDevelop envisions that the Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica could see the first rollout of the Gregory Project, and it is hoped that the design could eventually spread worldwide. To help bring this about, the final plans will be made available open-source.

The company estimates that the total running cost of a billboard home for the homeless would be around €4000 (US$5,434) per year if it was to run on-the-grid, while income from advertising is reckoned to be €3,600 ($4,890) per year. DesignDevelop is seeking architects and sponsors in order to move the concept into reality.

Sources: Gregory Project, DesignDevelop

View gallery - 16 images

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ArchitectureAdvertisingHousebillboard
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Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.
10 comments
Shohreh
That's nice, but it'd be more efficience to house homeless people in buildings à la capsule hotel in Japan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsule_hotel
That's provided we *actually* want to solve the problem.
The Skud
Useful, until someone posts a bill critical of the local government or despot and the jackbooted thugs storm your new home!
Mel Tisdale
With the projected population numbers, this is a solution to a problem that is very likely to worsen before it gets better.
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is not a great idea for homeless but for those who want to live small. I think the interior looks really nice. Perhaps it would be a great way for a self-sufficient home.
JPAR
So there's nothing ironic about an impoverished homeless person living behind an advert for a nice new $100,000 Mercedes, for instance..... !
Not7Footer
Someone has already imagined and animated the life of a billboard denizen:
http://vimeo.com/69655841
It is sorta sappy but I still like the story...
Conny Söre
Wouldn't it be quite noisy living within meters from a highway?
yrag
Shohreh, the capsule idea might work for single homeless men and woman, but as often as not were looking at mothers (sometimes with fathers) with small children.
Tragically it it often those who can least care for themselves, much less care for others, that are having children. Ironically it is those Right-Wingers who most despise these people who are most against any form of birth control—it's an insane world.
Tina Sweeney
Another great way to solve the challenge of homeless might be if employers paid something called a "living wage"...
Riaanh
@Tina, where I come from, the first challenge is to find a job for the homeless. Unfortunately once you start paying a living wage, then the number of jobs available to other homeless people decreases....
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