Shelter.
shel●ter (shel’tәr), n. 1. Something beneath, behind, or within which one is covered or protected,
as from storms or danger; refuge. (Webster’s College Dictionary)
The 2013 ASID Student Design Competition: Shelter
Supporting the needs of a community in crisis
COMPETITION GOALS
Identify and promote interior design excellence on the basis of:
 Humanitarianism
 Research
 Innovation, creativity and problem-solving
 Codes integration, sustainability and universal design
 Execution of a design concept
 Visual and written communication
 Proposal, presentation and articulation of ideas
2013 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND PROBLEM STATEMENT
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website, mass care sheltering can involve living
with many people in a confined space for a short or a long period of time. Clearly, this can be difficult and can lead to
conflict among individuals, possibly creating an even more stressful situation. Transitional shelters must potentially
accommodate a large number of disparate individuals in crisis, with a variety of needs. In order to successfully
design a shelter, a designer must develop a “needs analysis” to assure that the design program meets the specific
needs of all those who will use the space. While a shelter may have a dominant purpose (e.g., to heal, educate, feed
or sleep) all emergency environments should address locations for sanitation, power, food, water and basic supplies.
Areas for assembly and rest, accessible for various abilities and ages, are also vital components. How can you as
an interior designer create a functional and pleasing environment that alleviates the effects of stress and provides a
“safe haven” when disaster strikes?
CHALLENGE
Interior design is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing places; it is about solving problems and providing
functional environments that support the quality of life for all. Every day we are bombarded with stories of crises we
face in our world — namely, natural disasters and the sudden havoc they wreak on people and their communities.
This design competition looks for insightful and creative interior design ideas for ways that existing, vacant buildings
can be temporarily converted into shelters that address and support the health, safety, and welfare of a community
in crisis.
CALL TO ACTION
Reflect on the recent natural disasters that have affected communities around the world, including those listed
below:
December 2004: Tsunami – Indonesia
August 2005: Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans, Louisiana
May 2008: Sichuan Earthquake – China
January 2010: Earthquake – Haiti
February 2011: Volcanic Eruption – Philippines Mount Bulusan
May 2011: Tornado – Joplin, Missouri
October 2012: Hurricane Sandy – The Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States
608 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington DC 20002-6006 / T 202.546.3480 / F 202.546.3240 / www.asid.org
Research the types of environments that a community depends upon for everyday living that must quickly but
temporarily be replaced until the community is restored. The effects of a devastating tornado, hurricane, fire,
earthquake, flood, tsunami, volcanic eruption and the like, can demolish homes and healthcare facilities, plunging
residents and the injured into physical survival mode. But also consider how the absence of churches, schools,
restaurants, libraries, movie theaters, gyms, and stores cripples a community spiritually, socially and mentally. Your
research should tap creative and critical thinking skills in order to propose an “informed design” solution. A synopsis
of the problem (Problem Statement) will need to be provided to the judges.
Following your research, design an emergency shelter that could serve residents in a community struggling to cope
under post-disaster conditions. Your project should illustrate how to transform an existing empty warehouse or
another type of abandoned building into a hospital, school, dormitory/homeless shelter, food pantry/soup kitchen,
church, recreation center or another facility necessary to the community’s welfare and recovery. Your project should
serve as an example for other community leaders. Thus, emphasis should be placed on ingenious (perceptive,
economical, creative) ways to convert existing structures into temporary shelters that relieve suffering and provide a
sense of stability and normalcy.
CODE REQUIREMENTS
Your research should ensure that your project takes into account universal design, ergonomics, anthropometrics,
sustainability, demographics, cost and all appropriate codes and standards.
PRESENTATION
Prepare your presentation as if you were expected to present your ideas to community leaders and FEMA
administrators. It is important to present your concept as an interior designer with solutions to the problem. Part of
your presentation must include a written concept statement/proposal explaining the solution, as well as design
concept boards visually representing the concept.
PROJECT PARAMETERS

You determine the context and location of your space
o What is the original building type?
o What is the country/state/city location?
o What is its geographical orientation?
o What accommodations/functions will the shelter provide?

You determine ALL interiors-related components
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Each submission for the 2013 ASID Student Design Competition must conform to the following requirements:
1. Each entry will need to be submitted as one digital document that includes all statements, drawings and
other information that best convey your design intent within:
i. 11”x17” design board size
ii. 1 board minimum, 5 boards maximum
2. Digital Document (JPG, PDF, PNG, GIF) to include:
o
Cover Page
i. project title and relevant images
ii. problem statement (250-words maximum)
1. disaster type and geographical orientation
2. building location, type and size
3. description of users and their needs
iii. concept statement (250-words maximum)
1. Describe how the proposed utility (accommodations/functions) and ingenuity
(perception, economy and creativity) of the shelter design will meet the needs of the
community and users.
o
Digital Boards: One of the key elements of this design challenge is for the entrant to determine how
to most effectively communicate her/his design intent through the following:
i. Minimum Requirements: Furniture plan (1 per floor), elevations (4), perspective renderings (2)
key furniture/fixtures/equipment, key lighting/finishes/material selections
ii. Optional Additions: Reflected ceiling plans, sketches (2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional),
sections
3. Submissions must be from individual entrants; submissions from teams of two or more entrants will be
disqualified.
4. Each 11x17 digital board should be comprised of vector art and/or raster images. Raster images should be
at a resolution no less than 200 dpi and no greater than 300 dpi in order to maintain both visual clarity and
manageable file sizes. Please make sure all of your boards can be clearly read at both distant and magnified
views.
5. Images of your selected finishes may be scanned, digitally photographed, or downloaded from the web.
These may be formatted, sized, noted and arranged on your boards at your discretion. These shall also fall
within the raster image resolution requirements stated above.
6. Spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammatical errors are grounds for immediate disqualification.
7. Your name and school MUST NOT appear on any of your final submission pieces. Including this information
anywhere on your boards shall be grounds for immediate disqualification. Please include this information
only where requested on the online entry platform.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
1. Plotting or exporting your .dwg drawings into PDF format typically maintains their vector properties and helps
to ensure visual clarity at all levels of detail.
2. Although final submissions are required in digital format, hand-drawn work including floor plans, reflected
ceiling plans, renderings and elevations that have been scanned or digitally photographed are fully
admissible, as long as they conform to all other submission guidelines.
3. The use of 3D visualization and documentation software is permitted.
4. All submissions will be closely examined to ensure they meet all competition, program and code
requirements. Failure to clearly illustrate adherence to these requirements may result in disqualification.
5. You are ultimately responsible for the clarity and functionality of your submission. Utilize outside help from
students, peers, faculty or co-workers to ensure your files can be opened, read and understood readily and
clearly at all levels of detail.
Dates for the 2013 ASID Student Design Competition: Shelter
Competition Officially Launched: August 19, 2013
Entry Submissions Open: October 14, 2013
Close: Midnight EST on Sun., January 12, 2014
(no late submissions will be considered)
Judging will occur in the beginning of February 2014 and winners announced in mid-February.
$35 for ASID Student Members
$75 for Non-ASID Student Members