Deeper Dive
RUBIX is a tiny home prototype designed to help the unhoused get off the streets and live with independence and dignity. It is a cheap, fast, efficient, and eco-friendly prefabricated product that offers a better solution than current sheltering solutions. Its innovative modular concept, as well as the sustainable applications of material and energy technology, makes it unprecedented in the market. The recently worsened state of homelessness and the lack of efficient solutions, especially during and after the pandemic, urged me to create the project.
I found myself battling with multiple design and engineering obstacles throughout the development process as RUBIX involves many different fields. For example, drawing design layouts, calculating solar consumptions, building a plywood model, and finding a waterproof sealant technologies each allowed me to acquire new sets of knowledge and skills. I had to constantly learn new things and often had to reach out to my mentors and, through them, reach the experts in different fields for guidance. But the ultimate breakthrough moments brought a lot of satisfaction and joy. I also found it challenging, but uniquely rewarding to overcome my initial fear and prejudice to conduct interviews in the unhoused community. When I cast my previous prejudice aside and listened to their stories face-to-face, I not only managed to collect the appropriate data for the development of my project, but was also graced by their positivity, resilience, and kindness through the trials and tribulations of their lives. It was these individuals who inspired me, motivated me, and compelled me to overcome any difficulties.