Project Description

Public urban spaces are designed for movement, yet they often fail to provide care, especially for women. Everyday activities like waiting, accessing water, or using hygiene facilities can become moments of vulnerability without privacy, safety, or dignity. This project addresses that gap by proposing a compact Women’s Safety and Hygiene Pod fully contained within a 10 cubic meter volume. The aim is not to isolate women, but to weave protection seamlessly into daily urban life.

Seen through a Gender and Urban Care lens, the pod treats architecture as a responsive system rather than a static object. Safety is layered, subtle, and integrated into routine activities. In its default state, the structure functions as an open urban threshold with seating and water access, allowing free movement while remaining transparent and approachable. Essential hygiene infrastructure is embedded without disrupting the city’s flow.

When a female user activates the biometric scanner, curved shell-like elements shift inward, transforming the space into a secure refuge. Smart hazy glass maintains light and connection to the outside while ensuring privacy. Automated alerts notify authorities, and a small communication booth allows direct contact with family. The architecture responds calmly, protecting and reassuring before reopening to public life.

The 10 cubic meter limit shapes every aspect of the design. Instead of expanding outward, the pod folds and layers inward. Infrastructure, seating, water systems, and safety features are fully integrated, maximizing functionality within minimal space. Its compact footprint allows placement in bus stops, transit nodes, or market edges without interrupting circulation.The main structure combines a cuboid and a half-cylinder. The cuboid measures 5 ft × 6.5 ft × 8 ft, giving 260 ft³. The half-cylinder, with diameter 6.5 ft and length 5 ft, adds approximately 83 ft³. Together, the total volume is about 343 ft³, or 9.7 m³, fully within the 10 m³ envelope. This confirms the design is precise, efficient, and mathematically grounded.

By combining transformation, care, and essential infrastructure within a compact 10 m³ envelope, the project reimagines small-scale architecture as an active, protective, and responsive part of the city.