The Rest Station

Hello, my name is Ritika Roy, and I will be a sophomore in Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, Massachusetts, in the academic year of 2022 to 2023. In the following project I used Autodesk Fusion 360 to create a modular public storage facility called “The Rest Station”.

• Autodesk Fusion 360

Autodesk Fusion 360 was used to create the presented model. All materials hereby listed are my own creations made in Autodesk Fusion 360, excluding the provided shipping containers. The following list consists of materials used in "The Rest Station".

• (2) 8 x 8.5 x 40 ft. shipping containers
• (2) 8 x 40 ft. rubber mats
• (2) 8.5 x 40 ft. rubber mats
• (2) 8 x 8.5 ft. rubber mats
• (6) 10 x 2 x 8 ft. locker/cabinets
• (2) 15 ft. coat rack
• (2) 10 ft. coat rack
• (9) 5 x 1 x 3 ft. benches
• (1) ramp 17 ft. high (2 platforms)
• (2) mirrors (optional)
• (2) safe cabinets (optional)
• (1) Roof terrace (optional)
• (1) Garden wrap around (optional)
• (2) portable bathrooms (optional)

“The Rest Station” is a multi-purpose public storage area. Its main body, the storage area, consists of two rubber lined shipping containers; the rubber linings make the structure safer when exposed to electric current such as thunderstorms (1). The station has a ramp allowing access to the upper level storage container and the roof, allowing handicapped citizens to benefit from the structure. Atop “The Rest Station” is a viewing deck and a wrap-around garden giving individuals a chance to relax and enjoy an elevated view. The ground level features a shaded sitting area and portable restrooms, catering to all needs.

During Covid-19, open air, clean, and isolated areas gained popularity. It is estimated that outdoor recreational places faced a 20% increase in popularity as a result of the pandemic (2). “The Rest Station's" open air storage can be used to make such isolated places more comfortable while ensuring good air flow and a clean environment (3). A potential use of this structure is in a park, allowing individuals to enjoy exquisite open air sitting arrangements, a convenient and accessible restroom, and a place to store their belongings as they enjoy the park. Another use of this structure is in a hiking trail, where it can serve as a mid-way relief station, or a rain shelter for individuals as they explore trails. This structure can even be used in a large shopping complex, allowing shoppers to keep their belongings and purchases as they venture through the market. The main body of this facility is intended to be modular; it can be placed and assembled in any location.

The main body of “The Rest Station” is composed of two shipping containers. However, one can certainly use more than two containers if desired. Each container is equipped with a set of lockers to store personal items. The lockers have a tab to allow the use of a personal lock, should an individual opt for a more high security option. In addition, the storage area also has a closet rod to hang up outerwear such as coats and jackets. The public storage space also contains a small cabinet to keep cleaning supplies. This ensures that users have the materials to clean the locker after they have used it, allowing for a good level of sanitation. The storage area also features sitting arrangements and a mirror for convenience purposes.

In addition to the storage area, “The Rest Station” features optional add-ons. On the roof of “The Rest Station” is the bird deck. This area is handicap accessible and can be enjoyed by the public. Regardless of whether one is waiting for their ride or simply relaxing, the bird deck allows individuals to safely and comfortably enjoy a hilltop view. The spacious rooftop deck is equipped with  benches and can accommodate wheelchairs. A railing runs around the deck for safety. In addition a wrap-around garden provides a natural ambience.

Outside of the ground storage level area, is another space for relaxation. This area includes sitting arrangements under the shade of the wrap-around garden allowing individuals to enjoy a ground level view. Next to this area are two portable restrooms. 

Many individuals have had to face challenges during the Covid-19 era, but such times have also opened room for imagination and innovation. Citizens have new preferences, and such needs must be met with new ideas. “The Rest Station” is one such need, an attempt to make difficult times a little more comfortable, by reusing materials and giving individuals a scope to safely enjoy a different time.

The following sources were used as background research in the Introduction to fortify the reasons behind the creation of "The Rest Station". The citation is done in APA 7th edition format.

1. insulator | physics | Britannica. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/insulator
2. Wagner, A. (2022, January 24). How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected outdoor recreation in America? Penn State. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.psu.edu/news/health-and-human-development/story/how-has-covid-19-pandemic-affected-outdoor-recreation-america/
3. Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19) | US EPA. (n.d.). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/ventilation-and-coronavirus-covid-19