Focus On: Charles Maisel

Charles Maisel is the brains behind Shoebox Homes. It was his idea of providing space-saving furniture and design solutions to disadvantaged communities that led to the birth of Shoebox.

Charles is a well known and award-winning Social Entrepreneur. He likes to be called a 'Serial Social Entrepreneur'. Shoebox Homes is just one of many projects that Charles has either successfully started, or is currently developing. He is an exciting man to be around, full of energy, dynamism, and contagious creativity!

He is part of the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. Click here to read more.

Website Updated

Today we revamped the content of our main site. It has a rotating photo slide show of all the latest pics, details of those requesting the beds, and lots of other news and info.

Please take a look at www.shoeboxhomes.co.za

Delivering to Sive Nathi

Today was a special day. We built two of the Nested Bunk Beds at a children's home in Black Heath, Cape Town.

The home is called Sive Nathi. Lorraine and her team of care-givers look after a large number of disabled children. I was humbled by the faithful and generous love that they give to the children.

Here's a picture of each bed. What a privilege to be involved in a job where I get to meet people of such high calibre, serving those in need with great joy and commitment!

To Sive Nathi, we hope the beds serve you and the children with more comfort, safety, and space in your special home.

Focus on: Aram Lello

Today's post is focussing on one of our team members - Aram Lello. Aram is an architect at DHK and is based in Cape Town. He is on the board of Shoebox Homes and has been intrinsically involved with our organisation right from the beginning.

One of Aram's key inputs to Shoebox Homes was his winning entry to the 36 sq/m challenge (the competition looked for innovative space-saving design solutions to 36sq/m low-cost housing).

His 'Mobile Space' concept consists of a movable wall, that runs on ceiling rails and floor wheels. The wall divides a bedroom and a living area, allowing each space to be used flexibly, as required by the home owner.



The wall also contains cupboards and a murphy-type bed that folds down when needed. See the following pics:




In fact, the whole house was revamped as part of the competition.

Before:



After:

Woodform Factory - Staff

Here's a few pics of the great staff over at Woodform/Simco. These are the guys responsible for manufacturing the Nested Bunk Bed.

Hilton and Leanne:


Dom with the CDC machine:


Loading at the factory: