Good Design Awards Tell a friend

Designers: Tony Clark, Lisa Clark, Backpack Bed for Homeless, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia
Manufacturer: Backpack Bed for Homeless, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia

The Vertical Backpack Bed™ is a lightweight (6.8 lb), five-in-one survival tool designed for unsheltered individuals. It combines a 135L ergonomic backpack with an integrated four-season tent, insulated mattress, lean-to shelter, and full-body insect mesh. The entire unit deploys or packs away within seconds.

Constructed from proprietary TrexSmart™ fire-retardant, waterproof, and recyclable textiles—tested to 33 global safety standards including REACH and California Proposition 65—the design prioritizes hygiene, durability, and comfort. Its intuitive structure offers tall and short users dignified shelter and weather protection without stigma.

Lack of safe, portable shelter is a critical human rights issue. A 2021 study by the American Burn Association reported multiple deaths and severe injuries from tent fires among the homeless, underscoring the urgent need for safer alternatives. The Vertical Backpack Bed™ addresses this with integrated fire safety, weather resistance, and intuitive multi-functionality.

Developed over multiple prototypes with input from medical professionals, designers, military testers, and people experiencing homelessness, the design overcomes challenges in ergonomics and waterproofing while meeting high durability standards.

This innovation redefines outdoor survival equipment—not just for social impact but also for broader commercial use. Backed by over 1,000 Australian agencies, over 5,000 free units will be distributed nationally by October 2025, with expansion planned for the U.S.

Designed with a simple question in mind: what would we give a vulnerable loved one without shelter?