# Squatter-Friendly Homes The Bow-House Offers Shelter to Whoever Needs It By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-10-15 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bowhouse References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/bow-house-stephane-malka/34229/) & [stephanemalka](http://www.stephanemalka.com/en/2014/09/bow-house/) Bow-House is a unique piece of 'guerilla architecture', created by French architect Stephane Malka, that is intended to be available to anyone who needs a place to stay. The building, which consists of a [shelter built from](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anduhyaun-emergency-shelter) [recycled materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shor-house), is the manifestation of Malka's desire to use architecture to help neglected inner-city populations. The two-storey structure rests on the wall of a house in Heerlen, Netherlands. It comprises a number of salvaged doors and windows of different shapes and sizes. The interior is unsurprisingly basic and includes an aluminum ladder that offers access between level. It also contains a mattress, dining area and a small patio. Bow-House may not seem luxurious, but it is certainly more desirable than spending the night sleeping on a park bench or under a bridge. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Charity](https://www.trendhunter.com/charity) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Guerilla Architecture:** There is an opportunity to create more temporary and cost-effective housing solutions with reclaimed materials. - **Community-driven Architecture:** Architects can involve locals and take into account their needs when designing affordable housing projects. - **Socially-focused Architecture:** Designers can prioritize addressing homelessness and providing shelter for disadvantaged populations in urban areas. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** Architects can innovate by finding ways to create cost-effective and sustainable housing solutions responsive to community needs. - **Nonprofit:** Organizations that work to address homelessness can collaborate with architects to design sustainable and innovative housing solutions. - **Construction:** Construction companies can get involved in designing and building affordable and sustainable shelters using reclaimed materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Off-Grid Dog House Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dog-house-prototype.md) - [Humanized Waiting Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/de-wachtkamer.md) - [Bauhaus-Inspired Mobile Doghouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bowowhaus.md) - [Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drop-pod.md) - [Eco-Friendly Modular Refugee Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allspace-1.md) - [Martian-Informed Inflatable Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/martian-house.md) - [Compact Bengali Affordable Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khudi-bari.md) - [Wood-Clad Relaxing Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shigeru-ban-1.md) - [Modular Bamboo Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-housing.md)