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THE SAFE HOUSE / INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL AWARD

  • Location:Michigan/USA
  • Year:2021
  • Project Status:Award Winning Project
  • Built Area:8500 m²

When young people live on the streets, they mostly spend their times in open spaces or semi-open areas, and over the time they get used to this life style unwillingly. They also need protection under such physical conditions. For this reason, we did not find it right to offer a solution in a closed area, as they used to live in open spaces. Instead of making young to spend time in a confined space, we designed a gradual site plan to prepare them for the new environment. We organized natural habitats that have no security problems. Thus, they will not be bored in a confined space. We have achieved these protective and instructive activities thanks to the horizontal and vertical cover. As the cover rises, it provides the needed spaces, and as it descends it creates different experience areas on the ground. We arranged these covers using gridal system with the concern of being compatible with the environment.

At the entrance of the campus, we positioned stores which can be accessed from outside. We aimed that these stores can also provide part-time job opportunities. After the stores, there is a structure that can be passed to the campus with security control, where there are both meeting rooms for meeting with guests and units where they can receive physical and psychological treatment. On the way to the dormitory building, there are open and semi-open social areas. Residents will be able to engage in different activities in these areas with each other at different elevations. They will be able to easily move to the dormitory building, where they can rest. The rooms are designed for two and four persons with bunk bed system. There are meeting areas in the floors. There are loft rooms on the roof floor. All rooms have natural ventilation and direct sunlight.

As these residents been away from home for a long time and they are expected to be kept up with the outdoors. In order not to have adaptation problems, they will be able to spend time in areas that can provide different experiences and interact with their friends. If they want, they will be able to work part time in stores. They will be able to meet with their relatives and receive mental and physical treatment. In the evenings, they will be able to watch open-air cinema and attend many events on campus with their friends. There are social rooms in each floor of the dormitory buildings that are spacious, receive direct light and offer natural ventilation. There are sitting areas in these areas where they can meet with their friends. Three different dormitory buildings were positioned to avoid age-adaptation problems. A total of 180 people can stay in two and four-person alternative rooms. In addition, loft rooms are designed in the attic where they can spend more special time.

Stores are designed where residents can work part-time to interact with people outside. They will be able to sell both their own food and the products they handcraft. Places in the campus where they can get experience training in cooking and handicraft are considered. Classrooms are located on the upper floor of the building where they will be treated mentally and physically to increase their skills. In addition, different experience areas have been designed in open areas with their friends.

We did not want to put the young people into the closed areas directly, so that they can overcome their homelessness trauma. Instead, we designed a campus with semi-open spaces that allow them to spend time outdoors, organize activities with their friends, and provide natural ventilation with daylight. Before entering the dormitory where they will rest, they experience the shop, the therapy area, the education section and the games. In the dormitory building, seating areas were designed to enable them to talk with roommates and other friends. After training, they will be able to sell their own food, sell their own handicrafts, and even give a concert or theater stage in the amphitheater. As a result of these activities, the design has been shaped in order to provide a smooth transition.

All spaces in the campus can be naturally ventilated and receive daylight. Particularly, tears on the shell wall that surrounds the dormitory building and the roof are made in order to allow both sunlight to be taken in and natural ventilation.

Apart from the desired programs, the course structure was considered in order to make young people interact both within themselves and with other people. It was aimed to receive training in cooking, dance training and hand skills in four classes and to demonstrate this training to other people. In this way, young people will both be equipped and their self-confidence will be restored. In addition, game and interaction elements were placed in cover, divider and guiding shells within the campus. In this way, it was aimed to have a good time with their friends and improve their skills.