Shoebox Homes

Farewell to Sam

2009-04-29T10:02:00.004+02:00

We are sad to announce that today is the final day at Shoebox Homes for Sam Adams, our Project Manager.

Sam has been with Shoebox Homes for over a year and has had a huge impact on the organisation. He has facilitated the delivery of beds to over 60 families/homes and he has had a massive impact on our organisational structure. For this, and your friendship, Sam, we are truly indebted. We wish you the absolute best for the future.

(Sam's absense will mean less posting until further notice...Thanks!)

CPUT Students working with Shoebox

2009-03-13T12:07:00.000+02:00

On Monday, Shoebox Homes gave a presentation to a class at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). It was a group of roughly 30 students, all in their third year in the department of design.

These students are going to be spending the next 4-6 weeks researching and designing new products for the Shoebox Homes range! We are thrilled for this opportunity to connect with some talented young designers. They are working on a design brief that will expand our range with space-saving, low-cost furniture that is suitable for the mass market.

What is also great is that we at Shoebox can offer the students an entry point into the design market. The products that match the brief will be manufactured by Shoebox and marketed across the country. The students will then be paid on a royalty basis. This is a win win situation!

Partnerships Beginning to Materialise

2009-03-09T11:55:00.002+02:00

In the last ten days we have had some in fantastic interactions with two different groups. Firstly, PayProp, a property company in Stellenbosch have expressed an interest in working with Shoebox Homes. This is great news - they are a highly skilled and committed company and there is a great synergy between the areas of work of PayProp and Shoebox (both in the property/design/space and innovation fields).

Secondly, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology have given us the opportunity to link with their third-year design students. A class of roughly 30 students will be spending the next 4-6 weeks... More on this in the next blog post..

And Some Quiet Times at Shoebox

2009-03-03T11:41:00.001+02:00

Business is very quiet at the moment unfortunately. We are waiting on new funding to come in before we can get going again. It's been a hard start to the year for this reason. Very slow - not just for Shoebox, but for most of the companies we work with too.

At the same time, it is so exciting to anticipate the growth we will have as soon as funding materilaises. New products, new ideas, new deliveries, and more lives impacted! It's going to be great.

Exciting Times

2009-02-20T09:16:00.002+02:00

Shoebox Homes has had lots of exciting experiences of late: Here's an overview:

Free Range Films have been filming our work for a documentary to go on SABC.
Next week CNN will be filming Tsai and the beds too!
We have had discussions regarding funding from some churches in the UK and in Cape Town. We hope to deliver seven new beds to their project in the next month.

Watch this space for further developments!

Delivery to Volunteer House at Living Way Campus

2009-02-13T09:00:00.002+02:00

This week we installed two two-bunk beds at the Living Way campus near Masiphumelele in Cape Town. The beds have gone into the house where volunteers will be staying. Photos to be added soon!

Living Way has just moved into their new premises and will be offering training in skills such as baking, building, computers, and sewing. It is an exciting new venture and one that Shoebox Homes is privileged to support.

Good luck Living Way!

Competition!

2009-01-20T13:29:00.001+02:00

entries should be emailed to info@shoeboxhomes.co.za

2009 for Shoebox Homes

2008-12-17T09:50:00.000+02:00

What's in store for us for 2009?

NEW PRODUCTS BY NEW DESIGNERS!

Earlier this year we conducted some research in a few disadvantaged communities. We asked residents their furniture needs and preferences. With this information we have formed an exciting design brief that will be sent to designers across South Africa and beyond.

These designers will submit new space-saving furniture designs for Shoebox to market and manufacture and deliver to those living in over-crowded spaces. We are excited to see the new designs and believe there is a wealth of untapped design potential in this field.

Here are some current design ideas that we like at the moment:

Shoebox Year Ending

2008-12-12T12:20:00.002+02:00

Shoebox Homes is quiet at the moment... We pack up our office for the summer holidays next week, reopening on 8th January. As we begin to look back at 2008, wee see that it has been a full year and that great strides forward have been taken. We have:

Finalised the design of the Nested Bunk Bed
Found an excellent manufacturer (Woodform)
Researched (and are developing) other space-saving furniture
Qualified, if not won, 5 prestigious design awards
Manufactured 40 of the bed units: a total of 200 beds!
Distributed the beds to over 55 homes across South Africa
Created safe, comfortable, dry, and spacious sleeping conditions that benefit approx. 300 children!

This is a huge impact!

To the Shoebox team of management, manufacturers, fundraisers, assemblers, and drivers, well done! You can be proud of the amazing impact you've had on this exciting journey!

And to the many wonderful funders, thank you for your generousity. Your contribution has made all of this possible and has been an integral part of the development and delivery of the bunk beds.

2009 holds many dreams for us as Shoebox Homes... More about that in the next post...

Focus on: Ashley Stemmett

2008-12-01T13:14:00.007+02:00

Ashley Stemmett is currently the DIY editor at Home Magazine - SA's leading Decor, DIY, Gardening and Food magazine. He has a long history in design and is particularly interested in multifunctional furniture and how it can benifit the lives of people living in particularly small spaces. His involvement with Shoebox Homes followed the 36sqm Challenge - where he was one of the 'judges' on behalf of Home magazine. He now enjoys the exciting collaboration with Aram, Charles, Sam and Tsai and looks forward to seeing how Shoebox Homes products will benefit communities in the future.

Here's an example of Ash's great work: a beautiful multi-purpose coffee table and storage facility:

Third Bed to Bathandwa Children's Home

2008-11-27T11:09:00.004+02:00

It is with great joy that we delivered the third bed to Bathandwa Children's Home this week. Our generous donor, Mr John Philips, kindly sponsored the bed that went upstairs in the room of the older children. It has replaced old and damaged beds that the children used to sleep on.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Philips just two weeks ago, during a visit of his to Cape Town. I showed him the beds installed at Bathandwa. Thank you, John, again for your support and generousity.

Last Bed for 2008!
Sadly, this is the last bed to be installed for 2008. We are awaiting new funding before we can start manufacturing the next order of beds. Over 90 requests for beds are pending!

Here are the pics of the new Nested Bunk Bed at Bathandwa:

Shoebox Goes Green with the AgriPlanner Course!

2008-11-21T10:47:00.002+02:00

This week I (Sam) was at a fantastic Agri-Business course. Designed and run by the South African Institute of Entrepreneurs, I was thoroughly impressed with teh course content and the experiential way it was presented.

Agriplanner trains small-scale farmers to make a living from their land. We learnt basic farming skills such as what crops to grow in Cape Town and how long each one takes before giving a 'return'. We were actually being trained to train others, so we were also taught how to pass on these skills as well as other 'go to market' strategies.

At Shoebox, we aim to support people living in overcrowded and disadvantaged communities. With the Agriplanner course content, we are excited to explore the possibility of supporting individuals to make a living from their small gardens.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Write a comment or send us an email!

Exciting New Products at Headspace at CPUT

2008-11-18T22:57:00.003+02:00

Today I was at Headspace - an exhibition of work from CPUT students. CPUT, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, have a great design department and I have enjoyed connecting with some of the staff and students.

Of particular interest, of course, was the space-saving designs. I saw some great work by the students. Interestingly, all of it was made of Xanita, or X-Board. This is a recycled, low-cost board that is made just outside of Cape Town. I am not convinced of it's long term durability, however, it is great to see such an innovation in this area.

Here are some pics (low-res), of the students' work:

Photos from Saartjie Baartman

2008-11-07T08:53:00.001+02:00

Here are the before and after pics from the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Surrey Estate, Cape Town:

Busy Week!

2008-11-05T08:42:00.000+02:00

This week we have been very busy finishing off the delivery of the beds sponsored by the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation. Bringing the total delivered bed units up to 59, we delivered the following:

1. Two more bed units to Langa residents, through the SOS Family Strengthening Programme. These went to the Kewana and Cira Families. The Kewana home is pictured here:

2. Two bed units to The Salvation Army's Carehaven (increasing their capacity rather than replacing older bunk beds). Here's a picture of Sam with Captain Alexina.

3. Lastly, another bed went to the Saartjie Baartman Centre (see next post because there are lots of pics!)

Thank you to the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation for your generousity and valuable support. We could not have done this without you!

Home of Hope, Milnerton

2008-10-30T10:48:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we delivered a two-bunk and three-bunk version of the nested bunk bed to Home of Hope. This immaculately-kept home for young women, based in Milnerton already had very modern bunk beds. The Shoebox Homes donation has allowed Home of Hope to use the existing beds in one of their other facilities.

It is great that the bunk beds can benefit people in need both directly and indirectly! Here's a photo of Peto, the house supervisor, with the beds:

Delivering with SOS Family Strengthening Programme

2008-10-24T09:35:00.006+02:00

This week we delivered to Langa, a relatively small and established township close to central Cape Town. We were working in partnership with SOS - an organisation that runs children's villages and a 'Family Strengthening Programme'.

We delivered three bunk bed units, again sponsored by the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation.

1. The Manele Family, before and after:

2. The Makuluza Family

3. The Norman Family

Care for Kids Part Three - Completion!

2008-10-21T08:51:00.004+02:00

Last week we installed the final bed unit with the Care for Kids programme. This bunk bed, sponsored by the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation, went to the Plaatjies family in Khayelitsha.

The Plaatjies home (a shack) was initially too small for the bed. However, the Care for Kids team supported the family in extending the home. The bed now fits and the house is bigger!

[photo removed]

Delivering to the Njila Family - last house in Mbekweni!

2008-10-07T11:55:00.000+02:00

This week we finished delivering the twenty units to Mbekweni! It's been a great experience spending time in Mbekweni and we have met and worked with some excellent people. Thanks to Ikhwezi Community Centre for facilitating the entire process and to the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation for their generous funding.

Here's Sam with Mrs Njila and some of her children:

Black Umbrella's New Site

2008-10-03T10:40:00.001+02:00

Our sister organisation, Black Umbrellas, launched their website this week. They are a great organisation - supporting emerging black business in their formative stages. There is such a crucial need for this in South Africa. Shoebox Homes is so proud to be associated with Black Umbrellas. Check out the site by clicking on the logo below:

Care for Kids Part Two

2008-10-01T15:15:00.005+02:00

Two more families, both supported by Care for Kids, received their beds this week. Care for Kids appears to be an awesome organisation that is well managed and having a big impact on orphans and vulnerable children across Cape Town.

The Gunuza Family
Before:

After:

The Ruiters' Family
The second family has a particularly exciting story. Their church community decided to add to the donation of the bed and redecorate the childrens' bedroom! It looks stunning with bright lime green walls and colourful fairy-tale curtains.

Before:

After:

[photo removed]

New 3-bunk version of the Nested Bunk Bed!

2008-09-25T09:43:00.005+02:00

We are now selling the bunk bed as a three piece unit. We are very excited about this - the "triple-bunk" is better for smaller homes and comes at a new reduced price! Here's the ad that's going live in the next week in South Africa:

Care for Kids

2008-09-19T14:48:00.007+02:00

This week we began a new project with Care for Kids, an organisation that supports churches looking after orphans and vulnerable children. Care for Kids is run from The Warehouse, a trust in Wynberg, Cape Town that forms the social-outreach arm of St John's Parish.

Together with Care for Kids, Shoebox Homes is installing beds in five different home across Cape Town. It's been a great week and we have met some wonderful and grateful people. The first two homes received their beds this week:

1. The Beukes Family, Gugulethu.

2. The Mabanga Family, Mxengi.

[photo removed]

Renovating in Mbekweni

2008-09-10T12:56:00.003+02:00

About three weeks ago, we did some further work in the home of the Scott family in Mbekweni township. Their two room house (sleeping 15 people!) had a pokey kitchen and not enough sleeping space. In addition to providing the compact Nested Bunk Bed, we moved the kitchen wall and added a new door between the kitchen/main room and the second room. We also gave Mrs Scott some design/layout suggestions for her furniture so as to increase the space in the home.

Here are some of the pics before the walls have been plastered:

Delivering to the Hlanza and Mbembe Families

2008-09-04T09:12:00.004+02:00

Two beds were installed this week in Mbekweni, bringing our total to 19! Our target is 20, so we've only got one more to go!

Mrs Hlanza received three beds in her home, improving the sleeping conditions for the seven people who live in her home (the room is not big enough to take the full five beds).

Before:
After:

Then we went over to the Mbembe home, who actually live in Fairyland very near Mbekweni. Like Mrs Hlanza, Mrs Mbembe also received three beds. However, after some design suggestions (simply rearranging furniture) more space will be created and we will be delivering the last two beds in the next week!

Before:

After:

Focus On: Y. Tsai

2008-09-01T10:06:00.000+02:00

Y. Tsai is a Cape Town-based architect who runs Tsai Design Studio. He is the designer of our main product - the Nested Bunk Bed. He also contributed to Aram's moving wall idea by detailing some of Aram's concepts.

Tsai sits on the board of Shoebox Homes and is a key contributor to the activities of our organisation. We are always making demands on him for new designs, assembly instructions for the beds, and countless other tasks! Check out his website here.

Delivering to the Daweti and Lufele Families

2008-08-29T08:39:00.002+02:00

We have almost completed our delivery to the twenty families in Mbekweni township. This week we delivered to two more:

The Daweti family did not have space for all five beds, so we gave them the three-bed version. They were immediately thrilled! There are a lot of people living in this three-room home, so the impact of the beds is immediately felt.

At this house we also did some design work- removing an unnecessary internal wall. This has opened up the kitchen/lounge, creating a lighter and more spacious room. Design and renovation work is something we want to increase at Shoebox.

Before:

After:
The second home, the Lufele family, also received the three-bed version. The beds neatly fit in their second bedroom, which used to have only one single bed. We have thus increased the sleeping space by 4-fold, a huge impact for this lovely family.

Before:

After:

Delivering to Bathandwa Children's Home

2008-08-26T08:33:00.006+02:00

Last week we delivered two bunk beds to Bathandwa, a children's home in Khayelitsha (about one hour outside of Cape Town). The two beds, sponsored by a gentleman in Canada, have replaced 5 rickety old bunk beds that were literally falling apart.

The new mattresses that come with the beds have replaced spoiled and thin mattresses that the children used to sleep on.

The beds have also doubled the play area in the room - a vital need for children, especially in wet winter days.

Bathandwa's staff have expressed enormous thanks. They have shared the positive impact that the beds have made on the lives of the children and on the home as a whole. This whole experience has been very fulfilling! Here are the before and after pics:

Before:

After:

Focus On: Sam Adams

2008-08-25T08:00:00.000+02:00

Sam Adams is the Project Manager at Shoebox Homes. He is responsible for managing the manufacturing of the Nested Bunk Bed, the delivery to end users, and all the nitty-gritty responsibilities along the way!

Sam has added significantly to the organisation since his arrival in April. His management skills have greatly increased the output and successful activities of Shoebox. Here's a picture of Sam at our storeroom in Woodstock.

Delivering this week - Tete and Mtini

2008-08-22T21:00:00.003+02:00

This week we delivered to four different homes! It's been a full week! We started on Tuesday, with two beds in Mbekweni: for the Tete and Mtini families. Here are the before and after shots from Mbekweni. I will write up the other deliveries in their own post

Mrs Tete asked for three beds in one room and for two to go in the other. I think it works very well. It's great to have a product that is flexible enough to do this.

Before and after at Mtini's

Focus On: Charles Maisel

2008-08-18T08:00:00.001+02:00

Charles Maisel is the brains behind Shoebox Homes. It was his idea of providing space-saving furniture and design solutions to disadvantaged communities that led to the birth of Shoebox.

Charles is a well known and award-winning Social Entrepreneur. He likes to be called a 'Serial Social Entrepreneur'. Shoebox Homes is just one of many projects that Charles has either successfully started, or is currently developing. He is an exciting man to be around, full of energy, dynamism, and contagious creativity!

He is part of the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. Click here to read more.

Website Updated

2008-08-15T14:51:00.001+02:00

Today we revamped the content of our main site. It has a rotating photo slide show of all the latest pics, details of those requesting the beds, and lots of other news and info.

Please take a look at www.shoeboxhomes.co.za

Delivering to Sive Nathi

2008-08-15T14:25:00.005+02:00

Today was a special day. We built two of the Nested Bunk Beds at a children's home in Black Heath, Cape Town.

The home is called Sive Nathi. Lorraine and her team of care-givers look after a large number of disabled children. I was humbled by the faithful and generous love that they give to the children.

Here's a picture of each bed. What a privilege to be involved in a job where I get to meet people of such high calibre, serving those in need with great joy and commitment!

To Sive Nathi, we hope the beds serve you and the children with more comfort, safety, and space in your special home.

Focus on: Aram Lello

2008-08-12T09:00:00.000+02:00

Today's post is focussing on one of our team members - Aram Lello. Aram is an architect at DHK and is based in Cape Town. He is on the board of Shoebox Homes and has been intrinsically involved with our organisation right from the beginning.

One of Aram's key inputs to Shoebox Homes was his winning entry to the 36 sq/m challenge (the competition looked for innovative space-saving design solutions to 36sq/m low-cost housing).

His 'Mobile Space' concept consists of a movable wall, that runs on ceiling rails and floor wheels. The wall divides a bedroom and a living area, allowing each space to be used flexibly, as required by the home owner.

The wall also contains cupboards and a murphy-type bed that folds down when needed. See the following pics:

In fact, the whole house was revamped as part of the competition.

Before:

After:

Woodform Factory - Staff

2008-08-08T11:52:00.000+02:00

Here's a few pics of the great staff over at Woodform/Simco. These are the guys responsible for manufacturing the Nested Bunk Bed.

Hilton and Leanne:

Dom with the CDC machine:

Loading at the factory:

Delivering to the Scott Family

2008-07-31T08:54:00.003+02:00

Here's the Scott family in Mbekweni with the new bed we delivered today. Mrs Scott looks after ten people in her small, two-roomed home. I have a lot of respect for her.

The last picture shows some of the Scott household. They are holding the 'goodie pack'. This includes a pack of stickers for the children to decorate the beds, and a funky Certificate of Ownership. Each family is also given a short contract which includes a maintenance plan for the beds.

Before:

After:

Delivering to the Mbovu Family

2008-07-30T08:38:00.003+02:00

Today the Mbovu family received their bed. They seemed truly grateful. I was so pleased how the bed fits perfectly in the room - snug! See how the one single bed is replaced by five beds, plus the integrated side tables.

The room also serves as a lounge. With the bed doubling as a couch (the second bed is chair-height), it's perfect!

Here's the before and after pics:

Before:

After:

Delivering to the Pula Family

2008-07-28T10:37:00.003+02:00

Last week we finally took some photos of the bed at the Pula home in Mbekweni. This is one of the saddest households that we've worked with so far. There are seven people living in a one room shack of roughly 16 sq/m.

We replaced their double bed with a four-bed version of the Nested Bunk Bed, thus doubling the sleeping capacity in the same area.

When I went back last week to take the photos, the room was filled with smoke from a fire lit to warm the room. It was hard to keep my eyes open, let alone breathe. It is such a tragedy that people live like this.

The visit has been a stark reminder that extreme poverty is still rife in South Africa and that there is much work that we, the people of South Africa, can contribute towards.

Before:

After:

Delivering to the Mbula Family

2008-07-25T08:30:00.004+02:00

Today we finished installing the bed in the Mbula household in Mbekweni. The Mbula family have already spent a week with the beds and seem to be loving them. The bright blue colour looks great and I especially love Miss. Mbula's bed spread!

Before:

After:

At Footprints, Lanseria

2008-07-21T13:29:00.002+02:00

While in Gauteng, we also delivered one of the Nested Bunk Beds to Footprints children's home in Lanseria. What an amazing family - with 24 children, all living on a beautiful farm. It was a great experience being there. Here's a pic of Lucky helping build the bed (albeit with some fear due to the family's pet snakes!!):

At SABS, Pretoria

2008-07-21T13:01:00.001+02:00

Just got back from two days in Gauteng. The first was spent in Pretoria, at the Design Institute at SABS. Tsai has entered the bunk beds into their annual design competition.

Here's some pics of the bed in their foyer:

Delivering To Cecilia, Blue Downs/Eerste Rivier

2008-07-11T12:28:00.001+02:00

Today we set up one of the bed units for a lady who looks after a large number of children in her home in Blue Downs/Eerste Rivier. The bed looks great in her smart lounge!

Delivering to the Makamba Family

2008-07-10T13:17:00.003+02:00

The Makamba family received their bed this morning. We are really getting the hand of installation now; the team is running efficiently and we are in and out within three hours.

Mrs Makamba was a pleasure to work with. She is now thinking of extending her home and moving the Nested Bunk Bed to the new room. This will mean even more space for the family of seven.

Before:

After:

Delivering to the Sambokhwe Family

2008-07-04T13:25:00.003+02:00

The Sambokhwe family received their bed unit today.

As the first picture shows, the bedroom had three large wardrobes in it. Unfortunately these had to be moved to another room in the house in order to fit the bunk bed. We are discovering that often the Nested Bunk Bed is too big for these rooms to be used in a practical way.

This has opened up a space of exploring new ideas and new ways to innovate. Any suggestions are welcome! At this stage we are wondering how to incorporate storage space into the bed unit. Of course we are also looking at renovating houses and creating larger rooms by knocking through walls.

Before:

After:

Delivering to the Guzi Family

2008-07-03T13:35:00.006+02:00

Eleven people live in the Guzi home, a two bedroom home in Mbekweni, where we are halfway through delivering twenty units of the Nested Bunk Bed. These have been kindly paid for by the Pick n Pay Ackermans Family Foundation.

In the past, most of the children would have slept on the floor either in the bedroom or the lounge. Now, the small bedroom in the Guzi home can comfortably sleep at least five children, making a huge impact on the wellbeing of this family.

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After:

Delivering to the Tose Family

2008-07-03T12:42:00.004+02:00

This afternoon we were in Mbekweni again, this time installing a bed for the Tose family.

A journalist from the local newspaper, Paarl Post, visited this family with me (Sam). The delivery of the bed units will be covered in the paper, due for release on 24 July. This will be great exposure and will hopefully lead to more funding for the beds.

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After:

Delivering to the Mkhetshane Family

2008-07-02T12:33:00.003+02:00

The Mkhetshane Family in Mbekweni received their Nested Bunk Bed this morning. It was a new experience for our assembly team - cramped and dark conditions made it quite difficult. The bed definitely brightens the room!

This lovely family have already expressed great appreciation. Since I first wrote this post, they have commented that the bed has drastically improved their sleeping conditions. In the past, according to the eldest daughter, the ground water would rise in the winter evenings and they would wake up with drenched mattresses and bedding.

It is a privilege to provide this family with a bunk bed that serves the whole family and that means a healthier household.

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After:

Delivering to the Mbizweni Family

2008-06-26T12:25:00.004+02:00

Today one of the bed units was installed at the Mbizweni household, Mbekweni. This elderly lady has 14 people sleeping in her two-bedroom house. We trust the Nested Bunk Bed will greatly aid them in increasing both comfort and space.

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Delivering to the Ningisa Family

2008-06-25T12:13:00.004+02:00

Today we delivered the first bed in Mbekweni township. It was a real privilege setting up the bed for the Ningisa family. The room initially had a mattress on the floor and an old side table. It was great to see the room transformed - now it comfortably sleeps five and then when the bed folds away there's loads of space in the room! This is exactly what we've hoped to achieve through Shoebox Homes.

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After:

Delivering Beds to Mbekweni

2008-06-24T13:46:00.003+02:00

Hurrah! Finally we can deliver the bed units to those who need them. This is so exciting.

We are beginning delivery to AIDS-affected families in Mbekweni, a township between Paarl and Wellington (an hour from Cape Town). Ikhwezi, a community centre in the township helps facilitate this process.

The units that are going to Mbekweni have been paid for by the Pick n Pay Ackermans Family Foundation. Their generosity will improve the sleeping conditions and provide more space for one hundred people. Thank you Pick n Pay!

Watch this space for regular updates on the delivery of the units!

View Larger Map

House and Leisure photo shoot

2008-06-23T13:15:00.001+02:00

Have just got back from a great photo shoot with House and Leisure magazine. We'll be featured in the September edition. Our blue version of the Nested Bunk Bed looks great against the white back drop of the studio. It also looks great with the beautiful bedding and brightly-coloured childrens' equipment.

Delivering To Cape Town Child Welfare's night shelter, Athlone

2008-06-20T12:32:00.001+02:00

We were in Athlone this morning, installing one of our beautiful blue Nested Bunk Beds (my favourite of the four colours). It looks awesome in the brightly painted room. The night shelter is run by Cape Town Child Welfare and is situated in Athlone. We trust the bed will provide more comfortable sleeping conditions for the children who temporarily stay at the centre.

Delivering To Cordelia, Eerste Rivier

2008-06-18T12:06:00.001+02:00

Today we finished installing two units, both at the home of an amazing woman called Cordelia. She lives in Eerste Rivier, about 30 minute outside Cape Town. Here are some of the pics of us building the units (note how the first unit is split into a two- and three-piece so as to fit in the allocated space:

Helping the xenophobia relief effort, Chrysalis Academy

2008-06-02T12:37:00.001+02:00

Over the past week we have all been deeply effected by the tragic injustices of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. When the violence came to Cape Town, we jumped at the opportunity to assist. It is a privilege to have the resources to assist with the relief effort.

Here are some funky pics of the beds being built:

Woodform Factory

2008-05-25T13:05:00.001+02:00

We have found a great factory in Montague Gardens, Cape Town. They specialise in flat-pack furniture, much like Ikea. Paul and his team will be building the Nested Bunk Bed for us. Here are some pics of the factory. Tsai and I were on a visit to work out how to make assembly instructions. It's not easy!

Beds in the Design Indaba Magazine

2008-05-24T20:02:00.003+02:00

My last post reminds me about the review of the Nested Bunk Bed in the Design Indaba's magazine. Well done Tsai for all the awards your design is getting!

Check it out over at www.designindaba.com/news/news2008/march08ezine.html

Tsai and the Nested Bunk Bed in Elle Decoration (SA), Autumn Edition

2008-05-23T13:48:00.006+02:00

We are excited to announce that the Nested Bunk Bed was included in the Autumn edition of Elle Decoration (SA). Tsai, who designed the unit, is described as a "Green Keeper", one of seven "big thinkers who are helping to shape our eco-conscious future".

The beds can also be seen on the magazine's blog: http://elledeco.blogspot.com/2008/05/matryoshka-beds.html

Shoebox Homes Launches New Blog

2008-05-21T08:38:00.001+02:00

Dear Readers,

We are excited to announce the new Shoebox Homes blog!

This site will document the development of Shoebox Homes. We will be updating the blog with news and pictures from those receiving the multi-award-winning Nested Bunk Bed unit.

Watch this space for other news as we start moving into new areas, with exciting new products and innovative space-saving design solutions.

Sam Adams and the Shoebox Homes team.