Ursa Community Living is a transitional housing service in Savannah for homeless people, specifically the most underserved demographic - single black men.

The service consists of tiny homes along with a community center, focusing on collective impact to uplift and help these men create better lives for themselves.

The community center provides the people with any additional support they may require to work towards self-sustainability such as mental and physical health support, and job and career counseling.

The tiny homes, inspired by the polar bear fur and prairie dog burrow are designed to keep the occupants warm during the winters and cool during Savannah's hot summers. It uses natural reflective and passive cooling techniques.

The site is located between Wheaton and Aberdeen St, in Savannah GA.

Proximities include the existing Tiny House Program which makes it a good location to collaborate with.

The community center is closest to the entrance for easy accessibility to all.

Adjacent to that will be the housing, tiny houses are North facing with a back porch facing East for maximum sun and wind advantages.

How does nature help? 

The roof of the tiny house is inspired by the polar bear fur strategy of absorbing and capturing heat. The roof of the house itself will be painted black - like the polar bear skin - and have reflective louvers - like the polar bear fur - mounted a few inches above the black roof to reflect or let light through depending on the need. 

To complement the existing roof design, the house also has passive ventilation for Savannah's hot and humid summers.

Inspired by the prairie dog burrows, the house has an elevated roof with a window close to the roof for air hot air to escape and a window close to the floor of the house to allow cool air to enter.

Floor Plan 

SDGs and Life's Principles addressed