Homefree is a jacket

For the Homeless, clothing is invaluable. It is a usual sight to see a homeless person wearing or carrying their winter clothes with them during the warmer months of the year. This project set out to fulfill many goals, one of them being a multi-functionary outer-garment to reduce the physical weight of clothing a homeless person needs to transport.

As a windbreaker, Homefree can be worn at all times of the year. Under-layers are added or shed, but the outer shell is a permanent possession, retaining with it familiarity and identity. The nylon gained from recycled umbrellas is easily cleanable, lightweight, and strong, making it a perfect material for a jacket that will undergo so much wear.

Homefree is a bed and roof

Another burdensome condition not only for the Homeless, but the entire city's populace is the amount of material carried to and left in doorways in order to facilitate a sleeping area. Homefree provides a comfortable sleeping solution to be used when other shelter is not at hand.

An integral tent, sewn into the rear hatch of the jacket covers the entire body to provide a weather-proof shelter for the wearer. At each corner of the tent are grommets for stakes and cinch straps (all recycled parts from umbrellas) to give it a form that sheds water. Closed cell rubber-foam from recycled freight packaging is sewn into the panels of the back hatch to cushion and thermally isolate the body from the cold street. The hood is detachable and double skinned. It can be stuffed with clothing or newspaper to serve as a pillow.

Homefree is security.

Not only does Homefree reduce the amount of things the wearer has to carry, but it also helps to carry the ones that cannot be done without. Many pockets (large exterior and "secret" interior) were included in the design as storage and safe-keeping for a person without a home.

Homefree is resourceful.

Homefree is completely made from rescued umbrellas found on the streets of New York. After a heavy rain, New York's sidewalks are strewn with dozens of what look more like crash-landed insects than discarded raingear. Using 100% of this extraordinary source of what Michael Braungart calls "technical nutrients," Homefree creates a range of products from collapsible clothes-hangers to be carried within the jacket's rear hatch to umbrella recycling stations to harvest the next crop of materials.

Other Homefree Applications:

Homefree is an easily shippable form of disaster relief. Those that are temporarily homeless are assured a warm dry place to sleep. Hikers, climbers and off-trail skiers who are faced with harsh weather conditions have a temporary refuge on their backs.

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