Shelia’s Home is located in Phase II of the Community First Village, a neighborhood of tiny homes located just outside the city limits of Austin. It is a community dedicated to the respectful housing and comprehensive welfare of people who have struggled with chronic and sustained homelessness.
This village of tiny homes includes numerous onsite staff and volunteers to foster a sense of belonging, as well as support communities that provide jobs, healthcare, and career services, including: an outdoor cinema, a community metalworking forge, auto mechanic garage, screen printing press, and art studios.
Chioco Design was one of five architecture firms selected to participate in the design and construction of a custom tiny home for one of the residents. AIA Austin’s Design Voice Committee, which focuses on design and community outreach, organized the competition and subsequent design charrettes. Each firm was partnered with a “Seed Neighbor”, a longtime resident of the village, who would be integrally involved in the design process and ultimately ‘seed’ the next phase of houses for future residents.