2009 for Shoebox Homes

What's in store for us for 2009?

NEW PRODUCTS BY NEW DESIGNERS!

Earlier this year we conducted some research in a few disadvantaged communities. We asked residents their furniture needs and preferences. With this information we have formed an exciting design brief that will be sent to designers across South Africa and beyond.

These designers will submit new space-saving furniture designs for Shoebox to market and manufacture and deliver to those living in over-crowded spaces. We are excited to see the new designs and believe there is a wealth of untapped design potential in this field.

Here are some current design ideas that we like at the moment:

Shoebox Year Ending

Shoebox Homes is quiet at the moment... We pack up our office for the summer holidays next week, reopening on 8th January. As we begin to look back at 2008, wee see that it has been a full year and that great strides forward have been taken. We have:

• Finalised the design of the Nested Bunk Bed
• Found an excellent manufacturer (Woodform)
• Researched (and are developing) other space-saving furniture
• Qualified, if not won, 5 prestigious design awards
• Manufactured 40 of the bed units: a total of 200 beds!
• Distributed the beds to over 55 homes across South Africa
• Created safe, comfortable, dry, and spacious sleeping conditions that benefit approx. 300 children!
  

This is a huge impact!

To the Shoebox team of management, manufacturers, fundraisers, assemblers, and drivers, well done! You can be proud of the amazing impact you've had on this exciting journey!

And to the many wonderful funders, thank you for your generousity. Your contribution has made all of this possible and has been an integral part of the development and delivery of the bunk beds.

2009 holds many dreams for us as Shoebox Homes... More about that in the next post...

Focus on: Ashley Stemmett

Ashley Stemmett is currently the DIY editor at Home Magazine - SA's leading Decor, DIY, Gardening and Food magazine. He has a long history in design and is particularly interested in multifunctional furniture and how it can benifit the lives of people living in particularly small spaces. His involvement with Shoebox Homes followed the 36sqm Challenge - where he was one of the 'judges' on behalf of Home magazine. He now enjoys the exciting collaboration with Aram, Charles, Sam and Tsai and looks forward to seeing how Shoebox Homes products will benefit communities in the future.

Here's an example of Ash's great work: a beautiful multi-purpose coffee table and storage facility: