Tina Hovsepian is a 29-year-old entrepreneur who has successfully combined her education, skills, and humanitarian passion. As a Los Angeles native, Hovsepian grew up surrounded by the enormous homeless population and grew empathetically towards their struggles. Hovsepian graduated from the University of Southern California in 2009 with a degree in Architecture. While at the college, she was able to begin working on a project for temporary shelters made of folded cardboard. After graduation, Hovsepian continued to develop this idea, turning it into the business “Cardborigami.”
Cardborigami seeks to provide cheap and accessible shelter made from cardboard to support the homeless. As it has developed, Cardborigami has become a non-profit focusing eqully on the product and the mission. As such, Cardborigami is not simply a producer of these structures, but also an avid provider of all around support for the homeless and disaster-stricken. The most exemplary thing about Tina Hovsepian is that she managed to successfully transition a part-time school project into a successful full-time social venture outside of college. Surely, she could not have done this without being driven so intensely by her empathy and compassion for the homeless.
Most interestingly, Cardborigami innovates in its use of construction materials. While cardboard shelters are usually seen as degrading and pitiful, Cardborigami uses principles of design and architecture to differentiate and improve upon the classic refrigerator box. In this way, Cardborigami can shelter the homeless efficiently and cost-effectively, while simultaneously improving the living conditions, beauty, and dignity within the homeless community.
Now that’s thinking outside the box! (Ok that was bad.. more like in the box..) Anyway! Tina saw a need and used the knowledge that she had to solve it. I think it’s really cool that she used something as common as a cardboard box and, in a way, reinvented it to help the homeless. That’s awesome. Great post!
This is a very interesting and cost efficient way to help these people. Tina had a passion to try and help the homeless community and I think from this passion sprang a very creative and innovative idea. Now these people can have more shelter and a better place to sleep all due to Tina’s passion a creativity.
That’s a great design idea! Taking a common material like that and helping those who need it such a good idea. There is an element of style that sets this business apart.