03



SETTLED TO MOVE


Modular Transformable Storage for Migrant Workers




Year March 2022
Location Shenzhen, China
Advisor Abingo Wu, Ph.D.
Team Kaicheng Zhuang
Category Research Assistant












Through the research on “urban villages” in Shenzhen, China, this project builds community resilience for the disenfranchised migrant workers in the city. In the year of 2022, the Housing and Construction Bureau of Shenzhen released a competition collecting design proposals for transforming “urban villages” into affordable social housings to attract talented people outside of Shenzhen. With the escalating rent and inflation, the migrant workers are often forced to relocate between apartments in the area. This project provides a solution with a modular transformable furniture designed to accomodate the needs of the residents. Not only does it serve as a pack-and-go storage unit, it is also a multi-functional furniture that can be modified for different use in a compact space. By modularizing the unit, the cost of production is reduced while providing the residents with the convinience in moving. As time passes, the unit will carry personal memories of its users and becomes an object that reminds people of home.













Mobile Storage Module

















Compact Utility Module





Unit Specifications
   
Unit A

Type:
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
Occupancy: 1 Person
Area: 12 m2




In the compact 12-square-meter unit A, the design includes all the following functional configurations: multifunctional bed, table and chairs, multifunctional storage body, independent bathroom, multifunctional simple kitchen, washing machine refrigerator, microwave oven, balcony. This provides the residents with maximum convenience. Large windows and glass balcony doors provide ample daylight for small units.
      






Unit B

Type:
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
Occupancy:
2 People
Area:
18 m2













The 18-square-meter B type includes all the following functional configurations: multi-functional bed, table and chairs, multifunctional storage body, independent bathroom, multifunctional simple kitchen, washing machine refrigerator, microwave oven, balcony. This provides the residents with maximum convenience. The space more than 12 square meters is mainly allocated to the living room, and a small amount is allocated to the kitchen, bathroom and balcony.




Unit C


Type:
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
Occupancy:
2 + People
Area:
27 m2










In the 27-square-meter type B, the design includes all the following functional configurations: multi-functional bed, table and chairs, multi-functional storage body, independent bathroom, multi-functional simple kitchen, washing machine refrigerator, microwave oven, balcony. This provides the residents with maximum convenience. Large windows and glass balcony doors provide ample daylight for small units.




Unit Layout