Supporting Orange Sky: The Sudsy Challenge
In January 2020, Paul Callum of Bligh Tanner was approached with a request to provide structural design support to ‘Orange Sky’ for the development of a new product, a ‘module laundry pod.’ Paul happily worked ‘pro bono’ with Orange Sky to develop this new, more practical mode of service.
+ What is Orange Sky
Citing their website, ‘Orange Sky provide a platform for every day Australians to connect through a regular laundry and shower service. The focus is on creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are too often ignored or who feel disconnected from the community. Their volunteers are not social workers or experts on homelessness – they are empathetic listeners and great conversationalists.’
+ The new product
Orange Sky has been using small vehicles with six built in washing machines since June 2014. The new product is a standalone cabinet storing the six washing machines (pictured below). These cabinets can be placed and relocated without being fixed to a vehicle.
This is a significantly cheaper method of supplying these services.
The cabinets are designed to meet all relevant Council building requirements.
Issues such as structural strength and stability needed to be taken into account as well as the need for easy relocation of the pod.
This unit was designed with the use of removable outriggers that could readily be installed by a singe operator.
+ Bligh Tanner and the Sudsy Challenge
At the end of September Bligh Tanner participated in Orange Sky’s ‘Sudsy Challenge’, where participants wear the same shirt for three days to raise funds for Orange Sky services and its cause. Pictured below is a few of Bligh Tanner’s Sudsy team who are still fresh and on day one of the three day challenge. Day three images are not available at this time!
