Students’ big project aims to help homeless

A GROUP of local students are currently working on an innovative project to help the homelessness.  

The Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education (CDCFE) students and Ceardean Architects are transforming a shipping container into a Mobile Sleep Pod, which will be placed on the college’s campus at Springdale Road, Raheny. 

When the work is completed, the students will donate it to a charity. It is hoped that the project will be completed in four weeks. The converted 20-foot container, donated to the students, can accommodate one person with bedroom, bathroom and living space. It can be easily relocated around the country.

The students are engaging in the project as part of their general education programme. 

There are approximately 30 of them observing the work, which is being supervised by Derek Trenaman of Ceardean Architects.

Mr Trenaman previously worked on the Ripple project, a 40-foot container conversion that was displayed at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), before being donated to St Vincent de Paul last November. 

“This project is about making a low cost solution to getting people off the street and empowering them with some privacy and space to rebuild their lives,” he said. 

Journalism Class Coordinator at CDCFE Laura Roche said they got the idea when they visited IMMA last year and saw the 40-foot container. 

“We contacted Derek Treneman and he outlined what was involved from start to finish,” she said.

“We discussed this within the Design Department and concluded that we could use this idea as a live project on the Raheny Campus. 

“It would be hugely beneficial to our students in Architectural Design & Technology, Interior Design and Renewable Energy & Sustainable Construction courses, and would create an awareness of the housing and homeless crisis.”

Laura said Mr Treneman agreed to work with them on the project.

“Our students worked on the design and presented it to him,” she said. “They have also helped out with the various tradesmen, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and with the insulation.

“The work must be completed to a high standard and signed off by the architect.” 

Laura said they don’t have a charity yet to donate the completed project to.

“It will need a serviced site with connections to water, electricity and waste water,” she added. 

“We are hopeful that this project will benefit the partner charity greatly.” 

Principal of Coláiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education Mary Hickie is actively seeking a charity partner to host the Sleep Pod on completion of the project.  

Interested parties can follow the project on Facebook/ContainerBuild or contact the college through www.cdcfe.ie.