david shatz's melina transforms from backpack into sleeping tent in one quick action

david shatz’s melina transforms from backpack into sleeping tent in one quick action
(above) the aim is to create a sense of safety and confidence when sleeping in public
all images courtesy of yael sloma and oded antman

when looking at the urban public space, its lack of use is evident: large portions of it are being used only for the purpose of mobilization. individuals suffer from fear while being on it, mainly because of others who exist there, parallel to them. it’s because of this that david shatz, under the guidance of designer tal gor, as part of the hospitality studio in the bezalel academy in jerusalem, decided to build a tool that will assist individuals in the process of reoccupying the public space by creating a device that allows the user to pause and linger.

to create a nomad state in an urban environment a person doesn’t need more than a carry-on sack and a comfortable tool to sleep in. ‘melina’ aims to combine both —the sack and the sleeping area— and to create a sense of safety and confidence when sleeping in public spaces, an action considered as insecure.

‘melina’ in its open door position

‘melina’ can transform from a backpack —which can include all necessary belongings— into a sleeping tool in one quick action. it creates an urban armored-like sleeping area that fits the street atmosphere while providing a sense of security of a private space and a temporary relaxation from the city’s hustle. yet ‘melina’ can also be folded quickly back into a backpack, be carried on a person’s back, and simplify the act of wandering around. this product is designed for revolutionists who want to occupy public space with their own bodies, for adventurers who want to experience an urban camping, to those who prepare for an apocalypse and to anyone who wants a nomad kind of life.

the backpack/tent can fit an adult inside

when folded, ‘melina’ can be carried around easily as a backpack

opening action

the opening and closing procedures are made in one quick action

the tent as it transforms into a backpack

‘melina’ as a backpack

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom