Nice work, credit to you. It's pretty upsetting to think that we have people who have so little that they'd see a bed made of cardboard boxes as a God send. The disproportionate distribution of wealth in Britain (and the world over) is deeply shameful. The lack of compassion and awareness in relation to the most vulnerable people in our society is sickening. All that being said, it is some comfort to know that kind hearted, considerate people like yourself exist. Humanity isn't in great shape but it's better than it could be thanks to folk like yourself. More power to you.
While I completely agree with the sentiment and even the concept, aren't there some issues not discussed here? 1) How will the cardboard support structures hold up in the wet - either on wet streets, or in rain? The winters aren't just cold in the UK, they're also extremely wet. 2) How willing will people be to actually erect these themselves? As the designer, it took you 2 minutes 30 seconds to put up... After a hard day of being on the streets, and possibly drunk, this might be a task that seems not worth bothering with - just put the boxes down flat, still some insulation. 3) Even though it's flat-packed, it's still very bulky to carry around. Moving around will be difficult - to get food, to move to the best places to sit during the day, etc. Stashing the boxes leaves them vulnerable to the elements again and also to being removed by street cleaners etc. 4) The space required to lay down this bed-like structure is more than what is needed to curl up in a sleeping bag in a shop doorway, for example. 5) The very nature of it being a "structure" at all, could be actually more likely to instigate aggression or result in being moved along, than a simple sleeping bag. 6) The quality and quantity of cardboard required for the structure is actually quite high. Boxes you find are often flimsier, and prefolded (or squashed) in directions which may introduce weaknesses to the structure. Please understand though that these aren't criticisms, just some thoughts based on my very limited time sleeping on the roads while hitch-hiking. It seems like a good idea, and when works, like with the people interviewed, must be very good. Well done for doing good things. :)
+Sandcat87 You can find all the answers on the website, linked above but briefly: 1. Plastic sheets. 2. It takes 5 minutes and only people who want them will take them. 3. No, it isn't. 4. That's why it's best to find some covered area that's not in a doorway. 5. I don't see why. 6. We get it from bike shops and have an limitless supply. Thanks.
+Elliot Lord True, I should have looked at the website first! I can definitely see these being very useful in refugee situations. Anyway, I hope this helps a lot of people in need whoever they are. :)
Could you also design a cardboard circular tent frame? Your bed-frame design could notch over the circles and large plastic bags (perhaps largest trash bags available) could slip over each end creating a tent. Cozy, waterproof, and a bag to carry it in. :)
+Steve Smith It sounds like you have an idea there. How about you have a go at doing that? Waterproofing would be difficult as well as making sure it resists the wind but give it a go and send an email to the address on the website above. :)
+Elliot Lord I would if my status was any better than the client. Thought trash bags are waterproof. Hadn't considered wind or come up with a way to prevent suffocating but how much engineering can one provide working with the cheapest materials available. Hand out a warning label. Erect only next to building or tree, chances of blowing away are high. Do not seal yourself in.
Thanks Elliot, maybe sponsors could advertise their logos on some tent fabric. Again, that's extreme genius using cardboard for structure when replacement parts can easily be acquired from any recycling bin.
It depends on a few things. If making one yourself after having done a few, it would take around an hour. If done with a few people, obviously it would be quicker. They could be done using machines, in theory, but then the cost of that is an issue and as these beds can only be given away for free, it's not really an option.
I understand, but what my point is trying to get out is that if there's a simpler design that takes less time. I'm working on this with my class about 30 minutes a day, and we really don't have too much time.
This is basically the simplest design that is going to be effective. I tried another design but it wasn't as stable even though there were fewer different shaped pieces. The best way is to make the templates of the 5 different pieces then trace around them and cut and fold as per the instructions.
This is an amazing idea!
Nice work, credit to you. It's pretty upsetting to think that we have people who have so little that they'd see a bed made of cardboard boxes as a God send. The disproportionate distribution of wealth in Britain (and the world over) is deeply shameful. The lack of compassion and awareness in relation to the most vulnerable people in our society is sickening.
All that being said, it is some comfort to know that kind hearted, considerate people like yourself exist. Humanity isn't in great shape but it's better than it could be thanks to folk like yourself. More power to you.
Ideally it needs a curved cardboard rooftop, to create a friendly internal climate for extreme weather and temperatures, also a waterproof coating.
wow this is amazing! kudos to you
Is it me or that homeless man is teh same as that heartwarming guy,
Brilliant! Thank you!
Amazing idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Great idea! Will it help to stuff newspaper in the bottom of it in the empty spaces to add as a layer of insulation? Just a thought.
+Tamara Sauls It's a good idea but not really necessary as card is an insulator by itself.
While I completely agree with the sentiment and even the concept, aren't there some issues not discussed here?
1) How will the cardboard support structures hold up in the wet - either on wet streets, or in rain? The winters aren't just cold in the UK, they're also extremely wet.
2) How willing will people be to actually erect these themselves? As the designer, it took you 2 minutes 30 seconds to put up... After a hard day of being on the streets, and possibly drunk, this might be a task that seems not worth bothering with - just put the boxes down flat, still some insulation.
3) Even though it's flat-packed, it's still very bulky to carry around. Moving around will be difficult - to get food, to move to the best places to sit during the day, etc. Stashing the boxes leaves them vulnerable to the elements again and also to being removed by street cleaners etc.
4) The space required to lay down this bed-like structure is more than what is needed to curl up in a sleeping bag in a shop doorway, for example.
5) The very nature of it being a "structure" at all, could be actually more likely to instigate aggression or result in being moved along, than a simple sleeping bag.
6) The quality and quantity of cardboard required for the structure is actually quite high. Boxes you find are often flimsier, and prefolded (or squashed) in directions which may introduce weaknesses to the structure.
Please understand though that these aren't criticisms, just some thoughts based on my very limited time sleeping on the roads while hitch-hiking. It seems like a good idea, and when works, like with the people interviewed, must be very good. Well done for doing good things. :)
+Sandcat87 You can find all the answers on the website, linked above but briefly:
1. Plastic sheets.
2. It takes 5 minutes and only people who want them will take them.
3. No, it isn't.
4. That's why it's best to find some covered area that's not in a doorway.
5. I don't see why.
6. We get it from bike shops and have an limitless supply.
Thanks.
+Elliot Lord True, I should have looked at the website first! I can definitely see these being very useful in refugee situations. Anyway, I hope this helps a lot of people in need whoever they are. :)
Thank you.
That was verry nice of you to make a homeless bed for a homeless
Brilliant idea 👍
Thank you. :)
How do they find it on internet if they don't have a phone or money for internet Cafe? But a brilliant idea
Could you also design a cardboard circular tent frame? Your bed-frame design could notch over the circles and large plastic bags (perhaps largest trash bags available) could slip over each end creating a tent. Cozy, waterproof, and a bag to carry it in. :)
+Steve Smith It sounds like you have an idea there. How about you have a go at doing that? Waterproofing would be difficult as well as making sure it resists the wind but give it a go and send an email to the address on the website above. :)
+Elliot Lord I would if my status was any better than the client. Thought trash bags are waterproof. Hadn't considered wind or come up with a way to prevent suffocating but how much engineering can one provide working with the cheapest materials available. Hand out a warning label. Erect only next to building or tree, chances of blowing away are high. Do not seal yourself in.
Well, when you know what the obstacles are, that can give you insights into thinking up ways to get around them. :)
Thanks Elliot, maybe sponsors could advertise their logos on some tent fabric. Again, that's extreme genius using cardboard for structure when replacement parts can easily be acquired from any recycling bin.
Thanks Steve. The card has to be of a certain quality though so it will last.
That’s nice!!!
Great
the website link is broken
Sorry, I didn't change that. It's cardbeds.org
This is a great idea and everything, but it seems to take a long time to make (cuts). Is there a more effecient way?
It depends on a few things. If making one yourself after having done a few, it would take around an hour. If done with a few people, obviously it would be quicker. They could be done using machines, in theory, but then the cost of that is an issue and as these beds can only be given away for free, it's not really an option.
I understand, but what my point is trying to get out is that if there's a simpler design that takes less time. I'm working on this with my class about 30 minutes a day, and we really don't have too much time.
This is basically the simplest design that is going to be effective. I
tried another design but it wasn't as stable even though there were
fewer different shaped pieces. The best way is to make the templates of
the 5 different pieces then trace around them and cut and fold as per
the instructions.
Thank you!
Regards,
Darren
I have made one bed using my Samsung fridge cardboard and it collapsed. i guessed we are just to heavy for it.
It has to be strong card. I use boxes from bike shops for this and the size. They could theoretically last for years.
I'm makin a baby bed from a huge hard flat screen tv box today I hope it holds up. it will
See the tutorial for making the pieces here th-cam.com/video/Pi7rkKWZbF0/w-d-xo.html