This workshop was a first step in building design capacity within the Emergency Shelter Department. By introducing SketchUp as a tool for spatial planning, we aimed to empower staff to explore shelter layouts more creatively and effectively—grounded in the real needs of the people they serve.

Moving forward, we hope to continue supporting the team as they experiment with new configurations, engage other departments in collaborative planning, and use these visualizations to advocate for resources and improvements. Ultimately, our goal is to help foster more human-centered, responsive shelter environments across the city.