The SafeHouse

Img 1: A study reports a 15% increase in the past three years among homeless students, with a 137% spike in those living on the streets

Premise

The children of today are gearing up to become the adult citizens of tomorrow. Citizens, who are going to be responsible for the future of their countries, parallel to the growth through education. The education system enables students to acquire mental, physical and social skills.

School life takes up majority of space in a child’s daily routine. Getting good grades, improving communication skills, personality development are few of the many things that are crucial to students from a very young age. In few cases these variables may induce stress in children. Studies show that 45% of the students are swamped due to the deliverables. 

But what if school wasn't the only thing students needed to be worried about? What if shelter and food was no longer the responsibility of the parent?

 

Img 2: Homelessness amplifies poor mental health

Issue

Some lost stable homes when the parent was overcomed by opioid addiction, some homes were washed away by hurricanes. Others are just crumbling under the economic crisis.

The homeless student population has climbed in recent years. More than a million U.S students meet the federal definition of homeless (NCHE). Nearly, 1.5 million public school students stated that they were homeless at some point during the academic year of 2017-18. The highest number recorded in a dozen years, reflecting a negative effect on children’s academic performance and health. As a result, children end up being in transitional homes or shelters. It not only creates an unstable environment but also an unsafe one. According to news daily, there have been multiple reports of child abuse and abandonment across shelters. Therefore, a common issue with homeless youth is the choice of living on the street or in dangerous situations over homeless shelters.

 

Another challenge for the homeless students is focusing on their studies, while coping with the trauma of homelessness.

Hidden in plain sight are the homeless students, asking for a stable and safe place to call home.

 

Img 4: Unlocking an opportunity to create new typology to takeover dysfunctional shelter

Brief of the competition

It is time to rethink how we address homelessness. The current scheme of shelters is dysfunctional for children and overcrowded.

Brief: To design a living facility for children who face homelessness due to various reasons. The designed teen hostel should run on three principles:

• Shelter: giving a stable place to anchor on.
• Rehabilitate: Dealing with the trauma of being homelessness.
• Integrate: creating part-time job opportunities within the complex.

The aim is not just to provide temporary shelter, but to provide a sense of community such that individuals maintain their self identity.

 

Objectives

 

Flexible: Should have preferences

Lean: Easy and cost effective construction techniques

Balance: Achieve a balance between rule-bound and relaxed environment

Basics: Elements such as natural light and ventilation

Establishing a new typology for shelters, the broad objectives for safe homes are given above. Safehouse proposal aims to achieve housing facility for 150-200 homeless students of age group 13-18 years.

 

Programmatic Outline

The following can be used as a point of reference to derive the design. However, new functions can be added as per the design requirement.

 

United States

Hidden behind the glorious buildings of America are the invisible homeless students. The Department of Justice estimates that every year, over 1.7 million teens experience homelessness in the US. These teens are lagged behind in their education, essential attribute required to achieve a better future.

 

Img 6: Site location

Site Plan

The selected site is under JPSD (jackson public school district) and is located in a close proximity of multiple schools. Designated parking space has already been allocated in front of the site therefore need not be designed.

Ground coverage- 30%| Site Area- 12600sqm | Coordinates 32° 18'40.9"N 90°12'19.8"W

Only regulations to be followed: Height restrictions - 32m, Set backs of 10m on all 4 sides