H.A.U.S. Habitable affordable utility system

Initially conceived as an interior project for a homeless shelter in NYC, H.A.U.S. aims to graft itself onto the existing manufacturing and supply chain of readily available, massively overproduced and affordable construction products, shipped overnight from catalogue-based suppliers. The products that assemble into a basic watertight enclosure, structure and amenities such as storage are delivered flat-packed by a carrier service overnight, and assembled on site like an Erector Set model or piece of IKEA furniture. A step-by step assembly instruction is included with the pieces, as well as all required tools like screwdrivers, ratchets and mechanical connections only. No cutting is required. In the vein of Erector or Mecanoo play sets, the enclosed instructions can be followed or completely ignored, resulting in something different than the original design: a totally new structure for a particular use, activity, or program. Like a play set, the H.A.U.S system is also meant to stimulate the user’s creativity, curiously, and a joy of (communal) building. H.A.U.S stimulates the idea of living affordably.

Project by Austin + Mergold (Aleksandr Mergold)
Collaborators: Stephanie Gitto, Ngaire Stuart Gonora