PLUGIN HOUSES FOR THE UNHOUSED

Austin, Texas

2022

PAO has designed eight Plugin Houses for community services and residences for people experiencing homelessness at the Esperanza Community in Austin Texas.

Managed by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF), a non-profit, ~150 people have transitioned into an engaged community through humanitarian aid, case management, and employment opportunities. The Plugin Houses are part of the first phase of an upgraded complex that will serve 200-300 community members on the seven acre site.

The Plugin Houses, the colorful structures in the images, were all built by people that are unhoused from Esperanza and Springdale Park Neighbors. The construction process therefore provided job training and employment for those that lack such opportunities. The entire building process took one week with the small units taking as little as two hours to construct.

100sf Plugin Houses are designed as residences and 200sf versions are for shared facilities such as libraries, food services, and offices for case workers. In addition, two large arched structures called Quonset Huts were also designed for use as community gathering spaces.

MORE PLUGIN INFO: http://www.pluginhouse.org