American Notes SAN FRANCISCO

The mattress is made of foam, storage is cramped, and the front door is a hinged panel. But there is no charge for rent or utilities, and if the location is less than ideal -- beneath an overpass at the edge of a San Francisco parking lot -- at least the two snug, waterproof plywood structures are nestled among fragrant eucalyptus trees. Just 8 ft. long and 4 ft. wide, these so-called City Sleepers were designed by Architect Donald MacDonald to shelter the homeless men he spotted sleeping on the ground outside his new office. Said MacDonald: "I'm just trying to take some of the sting out of their lives."

The architect hopes to persuade city officials to provide more of the innovative shelters for some of San Francisco's estimated 5,000 to 10,000 homeless people. MacDonald claims the units would cost only about $800 apiece to build, and he has already identified spots for up to 500 of them on public land within a five-block radius of his office. City hall is dubious, naturally -- the Sleepers have no plumbing, and they are possible fire hazards -- but so far the two shelters are a hit. They have been occupied every night since MacDonald built them last month.