Hemlös

the IKEA collection

The Hemlos collection by IKEA is a speculative design piece in the form of a modular sleep set that helps the homeless sleep comfortably outdoors. It comments on the absurdity present in the dynamics that play themselves out between ourselves and the homeless in urban public spaces.

man laying on bench using the Hemlös sleep set

Role

Concept, physical prototyping, material research, illustration

Duration

8 weeks

Team

Robyn Goodridge, Samantha Slinn

Research

The Hemlös Collection brings attention to the homeless, prompting people to confront the ecomomic inequality that is perpetuated by the their own apathy.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

In 2016 there were over 1,800 individuals reported living on the street in Vancouver. Often the presence of a homeless individual doesn’t even warrant a second glance from those passing by. Acknowledging their presence and engaging in meaningful interaction would force us to confront the ugly reality of poverty in our city, our own economic privilege, and responsibility in making a change. The misalignment of their reality from our own provokes feelings of discomfort and guilt that most of us would rather avoid. However, this attitude only serves to further the problem.

illustration of ikea man looking at a bench with armrests

Hostile Architecture

The attempt to erase the homeless from our cognitive reality is extended to the way we construct urban public space. Cities implement hostile architecture to discourage the homeless from lingering in places where their presence might be disruptive. Techniques such as spikes, high pitched buzzing sounds, and armrests on benches send a very clear “you are not welcome” message to the homeless.

“If you were being a bit cynical but also realistic, it is a kind of assault on the poor, a way of trying to displace their distress... [hostile architecture] seems to say: ‘We are not even going to allow you to accommodate yourself in the most desperate way possible.’“

—Rowland Atkinson (co-director of the Centre for Urban Research at the University of York)

The Idea

A suite of products that allow the homeless to perform everyday domestic activities that we consider routine but which are complicated by their lack of privacy, lack of access to public space and amenities, and efforts to deter them from many public spaces. It is meant to unsettle the viewer and cause discomfort by pointing out the absurd nature of a struggle that has become normalized, and to which we have become desensitized.

The Hemlös collection questions who has the right to define how we use public space by extending IKEA’s initiative of designing for everyone to give the homeless the means to comfortably perform activities that the rest of us reserve for our private homes.

Why IKEA

IKEA is currently pushing the idea of democratic design - designing products that work for a variety of different lifestyles and are made to be efficient and low-cost. Their 2017 theme is “design for everyone”, and they have found that people are migrating their idea of home to include public spaces. But this decision to opt in and out of privacy is a marker of privilege which the homeless do not have.

In addition IKEA is known as a stop-gap solution. They provide inexpensive home furnishings not made to last. Since our project is only bringing attention to the homeless and providing a surface level solution to their problems, we found that is aligned with the IKEA ethos.

illustration of an ikea man sleeping on the bench using the Hemlos Collection

The Hemlos collection forces us to acknowledge the homless, while shielding them from us.

Final Prototype

We wanted to reveal how when the homeless look at public spaces they see a hostile environment filled with obstacles to overcome. Our project provides a workaround these hostile artifacts and allows the homeless to reclaim public infrastructure. However in encouraging the ostensible and rebellious taking up of space we’re drawing attention to them and potentially compromising the safety that invisibility can provide, so we wanted the pieces to also act as a defensive barrier.

illustration of the 3 cushion matress set

DRÖM

Don't let anyone tell you where you can sleep. combat those pesky armrests with the Dröm bench mattress set. Sweet dreams.

The Drom is a 3-cushion work around to the arm rests on public benches. The cushions are made of a squishy foam that allows them to mould themselves to the shape of the space they are occupying.

illustration of the spiky headpiece

OMGÄRDA

Noisy neighbourhood? We know the feeling. Slide Omgärda over your eyes and ears to block out light and noise while you snooze.

This piece blocks light and noise are out of your control when sleeping in a public space, while also acting as a pillow. It’s spiky shape was inspired by bristled porcupine quills, and sends a clear “go away” message.

illustration of the rough abrasive blanket rolled up

GROV

Like a precious piece of art we know you don’t want to be touched while in dreamland. The Grov blanket is soft to the touch for you but rough and abrasive to anyone trying to disturb you.

The rough outer layer discourages people from touching the person while they’re sleeping. It also insulates the blanket and makes it water resistant.

illustration of an ikea man wearing the Hemlos Collection folded up as a backpack

Modularity

the modularity of the items allows it to easily fit into a transient lifestyle where all a person's possessions must be carried around with them

The entire set folds up and can be work as a backpack, mimicking a turtle carrying it's home on it's back. The large blue backpack draws attention even when not in use.

Distribution

illustration of the 3 cushion matress set

Step One

Check out the Hemlös Collection in the IKEA showroom, where you can explore the three products in context: DRÖM, OMGÄRDA, and GROV.

illustration of the spiky headpiece

Step Two

If you would like to donate a collection package to a homeless shelter, keep take a ticket found in front of the display.

illustration of the spiky headpiece

Step Three

When checking out, present the ticket to the cashier, who will add the package to your total.

illustration of the rough abrasive blanket rolled up

Step Four

The package will be delivered to a shelter within 5-7 business days, where it will find its new owner.

The Campaign

Tagline: The city is hostile. IKEA is hospitable.

ad with illustration of couple combining their hemlös sets and spooning
ad with illustration of a man sleeping on bench using the hemlos collection with text reading do it with the lights on
ad with illustration of a man using the hemlos collection to sleep on top of anti-homeless spikes
ad with illustration of a man using the hemlos collection to sleep on top of anti-homeless spikes
ad with illustration of a man sleeping soundly on bench using the hemlos collection while a bunch of drunk dudes yelling next to him with text reading block out the haters

Additional Files

Reflection

While this project was never meant to go into production, and is meant as a purely speculative piece, it poses questions that can be tackled by industrial, urban, and product design in ways that can provide real help for disenfranchised populations like the homeless. Extending our perspective beyond common user populations helped develop empathy for those who are generally considered 'other' and who could benefit greatly from being the focus of design work.

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