MArch Thesis: Creating Domesticity in Architecture by Daniel Naylor

Domesticity in Architecture

Creating Architecture Through Emotion Daniel Kevin Naylor

No one would have thought Emanuel was suffering. He lived with relatives and had a home to go to each night. But Emanuel was forced to sleep in an attic with no heat Emanuel was living with relatives who just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want him. While they went to sleep in warm beds, they let Emanuel freeze.

Daniel had lived happily with his mom in Michigan. She worked hard to support their family. He worked hard to maintain his 3.8 GPA. Together they looked forward to the day when Daniel would be accepted to college and find a rewarding job. Then, when Daniel was a sophomore in high school, his dreams were destroyed. His mom suffered a sudden – and massive – heart attack. She died without being able to say goodbye to her son. Without warning, Daniel was confronted with not only the grim reality of his mother’s death, but also with the uncertainty of his own future. Daniel was left with no family. His only option was to live with his mother’s boyfriend. Daniel tried his best to soldier on. He kept his grades high, played in the high-school band, and even earned a place on the baseball team… all while holding down a part-time job. But then, during his senior year of high school, his world fell completely apart. Despondent and depressed, Daniel became homeless. Left with nowhere else to go, Daniel went to live with a friend in Texas for a few months, then California, Iowa, Ohio, then back to Michigan... finally landing on the streets of Detroit.

Tynearia Variack, 20, originally from East New York in Brooklyn, has been living at the Covenant House in NYC for two months. Tynearia had grown up in a foster home, where the foster mother adopted her. Tynearia said that she found out as a teenager that she was not the biological child of her foster mother and it disturbed her, leading to dropping out of school. She was able to find her biological family, where she stayed for one year and left as she found it was not a good home because they were involved in illegal activities.

9 ABSTRACT 10 RESEARCH 20 METHOD 87 DESIGN 114 CONCLUSION 115 BIBLIOGRAPHY

In Loving Memory of Edward J. Sowek

Very special thanks to: Michael W. MacPhail, Emily Sowek, Charisse Steinberg, Mom, Dad, and Liz, The Department Of Architecture, and The City of Brookline Department of Planning. No thanks to: Venti Starbucks Black Coffee or Red Bull

Throughout the United States, there are cities and rural areas struggling with the challenging problem of homeless children. These children are not only at great risk for developing health problems, but do not posses the proper attention and care that other children their age have. They don’t benefit from the nurturing environment that a home with caring adults might offer. These homeless children and youth fall into one of two groups, those who experience family homelessness and those identified as unaccompanied youth. In addition, the number of homeless children and youth who do not have a stable, consistent place to stay is currently over a million. This problem is not only evident in statistical data, but it is evident in the cities and towns in which we live. In many of these cities and towns, shelters are filling up, leaving little room for these children to have a roof over their head. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how architecture can promote spaces of safety and comfort. Considering that the term home has different meanings in diverse cultures, catering to the disparate backgrounds of these children becomes a challenge. In addition, there is a common misconception that the terms house and home are the same thing. A house is an edifice or container, whether it is made from dirt and leaves or from bricks and glass. A home is much more than that; it is a space that evokes a sense of comfort. It is communal. People act as a family, and develop social bonds and relationships that produce a sense of belonging. What we call “homeless” would be described as “houseless” since they indeed have no literal shelter. Consequently, the purpose of this thesis addresses the notion that children and teenagers who have abusive and destructive households are “homeless.” It will attempt to make clear that many of these children originate from spaces that lack an essential sense of belonging. They are frightening, uncomfortable and emotionally limiting. I propose a wellness and support shelter that acts as a sanctuary for these individuals. In the simplest terms it will function as a homeless shelter for young children. However, through architecture it will offer comfortable and safe spaces that erase the memories of sleeping on the street. It will promote interaction with other people – child and adult– and give a sense of belonging instead of loneliness. It can give a sense of security rather than fear. It will hopefully make possible to experience growing up in a healthy manner catered towards success rather than self-defeating failure. The methodology will consider the special qualities found in archetypal elements. A survey will be taken to figure out the most successful types and the results will be considered in the design. What follows is in depth considerations about what are the most important feelings needed in this type of program as well as a thorough display of these feelings through certain architectural elements. On a larger scale, the same feelings will be considered in choosing the appropriate site. These emotions will be mapped and then seriously reviewed resulting in a suitable site for the facility

P R O B L E M

Objectives:

hroughout the United States, there are cities and rural areas

â&#x20AC;˘ Explore the statistics and information regarding homeless and

with a population of homeless children. By and large, homeless

runaway children. This will include focus cities, populations in these

children and youth fall into one of two groups, children and youth who

cities, physical and mental effects of being homeless at such an age,

experience family homelessness and those identified as unaccompanied

etc.

youth. Homeless children and youth who do not have a stable,

â&#x20AC;˘ Create an architecturally viable solution that not only services is

consistent place to stay are reaching over one million in population.

user group, but at the same time is innovative. The result should be

This problem is not only evident in statistical data, but it is evident and

iconic and through this give the users a feeling of belonging within the

the cities and towns we live in. In many cities today, shelters are filling

setting where it is built.

up, leaving a lot of children still without a roof over their head. The

â&#x20AC;˘ Create an architecturally viable solution that evokes the sense of

word HOME is defined as where one lives permanently. The children

comfortable spaces. A house is a comfortable space for most families

and teenagers do not have a HOME.

and although we cannot really replicate that feeling for every distinct individual we can create new architectural space(s) that evoke comfort.

ne of the plentiful memories I have from being a child is in

more visible population of homeless men we see with shopping carts

regards to this game I played after school. It was a game

under the over pass or men living on skid row. Fortunately, in recent

between my sister and myself; we had a tree stump on the corner

decades, there has been some research on the homeless children in the

of the yard and we would both sit on it after school and wait for

United States. Mark Nord and A.E. Luloff’s “Homeless Children and

my father to come home. My sister was younger and I assumed my

Their Families in New Hampshire: A Rural Perspective,” have shown

parents liked her more because she was always getting her way, and

that childhood homelessness is a rural problem as well as an urban

my father would chose to pull into the driveway on her side, resulting

problem. Not only has this book proven that point, but it also shows

her winning this game. Every now and then however, my father would

up some significant differences between the two types.

come home on my side, to both my sister and my self’s surprise. *

This memory had slipped my mind until recently, and I am sure there are plenty more that I have forgotten, however, it is memories like these (fond or frustrating) that gave me a sense of belonging in my family. Most of us have these memories attached to us and we think nothing of it, however, on any given night there are over one million children homeless in America. They don’t share this sense of belonging and comfort that carry with us for not only our childhood, but for the rest of our adult lives. The issues surrounding homeless children and runaways generally have been ignored or for the most part unknown, because historical studies in general concentrate only on cities, but also because we focus on the

ow that we know what the problem is, we must find solutions

living in boxes in alleys and sleeping on subway benches or in homeless

to mend it. In regards to the unaccompanied youth (runaways),

shelters. Rural homeless people do not fit these images. In fact, few

we must understand that is not plausible to stop children from running

rural people are literally homeless in the sense of not having a roof over

away from their homes. This impossibility is certain because the causes

their heads. However, the roof they have may be only a car roof or a

for runaways’ lies mainly in the child or the household and these

shed roof. Norm and Luloff reported that a child living homeless in

causes will never cease. Children and adolescents’ reasons for leaving

rural America was often associated with a social stigma. As a result to

vary, however over fifty percent of these kids are leaving their homes

this, these individuals often suffered from loneliness and depression.

because they were physically or sexually abused, came from a home

These symptoms get so drastic that in regular schools the individuals

where criminal activity occurred, or were in the company of someone

are often diagnosed as “retarded in schooling” and are required to take

known to be using drugs.1

special education classes. These children who do attend school, most of them are likely to drop out at age sixteen.

While many of the homeless– adult and child– call the city their home, rural homelessness is becoming an increasing problem, especially with

However, the urban setting is getting exponentially worse and cannot

this harsh economic pressure and foreclosure problems in The United

be ignored. In a 2009 report by Horizons for Homeless Children, which

States. A 1996 National Rural Health Association study found rural

is a charity program headquartered in Roxbury Massachusetts, over one

homeless people so elusive that they refer to them as America’s lost

hundred thousand minors face homelessness in Massachusetts alone.

population. Janet Fitchen reported in her 1991 article “Homelessness

With a majority of them finding themselves in the city. Boston has seen

in Rural Places: Perspectives from Upstate New York,” that homelessness

a one hundred percent increase of these children, however, cities across

in rural America is still generally overlooked and ignored because it

The United States are all dealing with homelessness and runaways.

does not fit urban-based perceptions and definitions that we often

Runaways, optimistic, travel to cities thinking they will be able to start

associate with the homeless. Most Americans think of the homeless as

new lives. However, the city is an unsafe setting for an alone minor.

1. Hammer, Heather, David Finkelhor, and Andrea J. Sedlak. “Runaway/Thrownaway Children: National Estimates and Characteristics. 2002: 8

2. “Horizons for Homeless Children: Improving the Lives of Homeless Children and Families”. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/>.

Street Gangs, have found a way to exploit these children. These

Even when not part these criminal organizations, these children will

gangs take kids in and give them shelter and food. These gangs have

find them without any shelter whatsoever. For a place to sleep a

been known to take kids in as young as eight years old and have

runaway girl usually must be willing to pay with sex. A boy may have

them working with gang related duties. To these kids, the gang is a

to satisfy a homosexual. Many runaways will find no place to stay and

group of friends and they feel a sense of belonging. However, they

will have to sleep on the streets. 3

are also the main cause for these children to start using drugs. They start out selling these drugs at discount, having them think they are

The American Medical Association started publishing summaries of the

your friends and once the users are addicted they heighten the prices.

problem in 1989 and they have found that health issues of homeless

These “friends” take whatever money the kids have while ruining these

and runaway children are close the same as homeless people in

individuals’ lives.

general. 4 One exception was that older children in their teenage years tended to be healthier due to their bodies adapting quicker citing that

Human trafficking is known as modern day slavery. It is becoming

these individuals bodies were closest to peak physical form. However,

increasingly prevalent in The United States, and homeless youth are

the health problems that they did endure were groups into six

especially vulnerable. These victims are subjected to violence, fraud,

categories: nutrition, substance abuse, mental health, physical health,

and coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation such as stripping

sexual health, and victimization.

or prostitution. Males are usually put into forced labor (which more times than not, break labor laws) with little or even no pay. Females

Nutritional deficiencies are the most common and have frightening

usually find themselves under control of pimps who at first had

implications when considering the health of newborns birthed by these

promises of shelter and freedom. Instead, these pimps put them back

runaway females. Large percentages of these children drink regularly

out on the streets as prostitutes expected to bring in money each night,

and up to fifty percent have alcohol problems. The abuse of other

and beaten is they are not satisfied.

harmful and illicit drugs is very common as well. 3. Omopariiwa, Femi. “Runaway Children: Are They Really Happy?” 4. American Medical Association.”Health Care Needs of Homeless and Runaway Youth.” Journal of the American Medical Association 262 1989: 1358−1362.

Homeless children are also afflicted with mental health problems, to most common of which are depression and self-destructive behavior, resulting sometimes, in suicide. The physical health of these children is challenged by exposure to the elements, lack of sleep, and the absence of proper and sanitary housing. The most common problems reported are respiratory tract infections, skin ailments, and gastrointestinal problems. The sexual health problems include most transmitted dieses as well as teenage pregnancy. Because homeless and runaway children are often to young, or lack skills required for steady work, they are often picked up by criminals and involve themselves in the illegal drug trade, prostitution, and pornography. Regardless of the physical and mental problems sustaining these children they all lack something common: the opportunity to be comfortable and to belong. More often than not they are on their own without parental guidance, education, and adequate safety. Governments, organizations, and religious institutions have worked with architects before to try and mend problems regarding homelessness, however, their intentions were more oriented on answering the question, where do we put these people?

S O C I A L

S I D E

he Covenant House in New York City has been an expert at

clean beds, while the rest focus on the individual child. For example,

fostering emotional and physical development for over thirty years.

they teach proper values and encourage kids to believe in themselves

Currently they are the nations largest adolescent care agency serving

and make serious positive choices about the future. 6

homeless, runaway, and at risk youth 24 hours a day at all times during the year. 5 Help comes in the form a “volunteer donations.” Whether

Introducing Architecture

the volunteer is from a religious, medical, or resident background, the time is donated for the enrichment and betterment of the individuals

Aldo Van Eyck created an orphanage in the early 1960s in Amsterdam.

currently housed in the facility.

His final design had a lot to do with the experiences these children had faced. Describing the concept of his result, he said, “I tried to articulate

Although the Covenant House is a religious institution, its principles

the transition by means of defined in between places which induce

create a framework and a precedent that architects can design around.

7 simultaneous awareness of what is signified on either side.” Van Eyck

Their facility is based around five points that describe the function of

thought that it was important to the children that they are aware of

the facility. The first two describe essentials such as warm meals and

the transition between the facility and the urban setting they once

5. Covenant House New York - Changing Lives, Creating Futures. <http://www.covenanthouseny.org/about_us.asp>.

lived in. In his opinion, this added to the comfort of the facility. The layout was drastically different from the bitter city conditions although it accentuated the positive aspects of the city to induce interaction and camaraderie between the young residents. These aspects included outdoor public function space (Van Eyck started out designing playgrounds), rooms and communal areas with interconnecting internal streets, and residential units along these streets with individual outdoor space. In this orphanage the design has evolved from the daily life patterns of the staff and residents. *

6. The Covenant House Principles: Immediacy - Kids come to us in crisis. Immediately and without question, we meet their basic human needs—a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place away from the danger of the street. Sanctuary -  The kids who come to us are often frightened and mistrustful. We protect them from the perils of the street. Youngsters can grow only when they feel safe and secure. Value Communication - Lying, cheating, and stealing is common survival tools on the street. We teach kid by example that caring relationships are based on trust, respect, and honesty. Structure -  Kids on the street never know how they will get their next meal or where they will sleep. We provide a regular schedule that gives them the stability they need in order to focus on the future. Choice – Young people often feel powerless to control their lives, and fall into a self-defeating cycle of failure. We encourage kids to believe in themselves and to make serious choices about the future. 7. Kultermann, Udo. Architecture in the 20th century.1993: 138

F E A R

A N D

C O M F O R T

rchitectural literature has been written about the “feeling of a

The wall is one circumstance addressed in the book. A wall, depending

space” or how human psychology can influence design work

on its context, can be perceived differently. The wall can evoke

and vise versa, similar to Van Eyck’s interpretations for the Amsterdam

negative feeling and positive feelings. Take for example the barbed

orphanage. The Architecture of Fear edited by Nan Ellin examines the

wire fence, the tall concrete wall, the graffiti wall and what you feel

ways in which the contemporary landscape is shaped by our society’s

when you experience these. To many people, these give a sense of

preoccupation with fear. The anthology argues that home design,

uneasiness. On the contrary the walls confining their bedroom, dressed

security systems, gated communities, and public spaces preoccupy

with certain colors and fixtures give the opposite feeling.

people with a fearful sense. The essayists in the book explain that such efforts to reduce fear and insecurity exacerbate rather then eradicate

In a Rio de Janeiro, a collaboration of architects was designing a bank

and in protest to this they offer suggestions for pro-action and not

for a certain financial client. In one of their many design meetings, the

reaction.

client brought up that the glass revolving doors, although beautiful,

gave them a sense of uneasiness. The architects responded to this by

Getting Comfortable

adding an abundance of chrome and aluminum panels to the front facade of the building. With this addition to the faĂ§ade, the bank had

As proven by the data, there is an evident problem of increasing

much more of a secure feel.

homeless child populations. Children without proper guidance during their growth and lacking adequate shelter have been proven to lead

The book lies down an informative basis on how the creation of

traumatic, and life threatening existences. Clearly architects should be

instruments, spaces, and architecture can affect people in a negative

inspired to evoke a sense of comfort and belonging in architecture that

way. Using the same ideas its evokes an interest on what else do

could foster healthy human development in developing children and

people fear, and if there are so many things that make people fear, then

teenagers. In order to achieve this, architects must understand the

what is out there that evokes comfort?

data, locate focus areas of dense child populations, and take notice of what in architecture makes people uncomfortable or comfortable, what

Going along with the proposed question, architect Barbara Crisp

evokes fear, and what heals. The most important issue is how; through

provides life-enhancing designs for healing, working, and living in her

architecture can these individuals feel comfortable for once? And, how

book Human Spaces. This book full of separate case studies focusing

can architecture foster healthy human development?

on different aspects acts as a polarity to The Architecture of Fear. She

the opportunity to improve a drastic situation. It has the ability to give

introduces us to a Therapeutic Garden for Children at a Massachusetts

opportunity.

Architecture has

childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospital. The facility takes researched gathered from outdoor settings and children and applies it to areas design for children to

interact with peers, and doctors. It is used each day, and in time evokes fresh beginnings, clear mindedness, and familiarity.

The Initial Design Method

compiled. I would like to make a matrix of these adjectives from my own personal experiences and other, and this is why I want to make

In order to achieve this task a methodology needs to be put in order.

a questionnaire asking what can of spaces make people comfortable.

Now that we know the causes and the consequences we know what

After this matrix is made, I would like to make a book or photo

the main program will be. Since we have the Boston metro area as

journal that would accompany the research essay (and thesis work)

a site, we must now find a specific location for the actual piece of

that describes these adjectives through photographic evidence. This

architecture. I chose the town of Brookline, MA as my site because

supplement will focus on different scales such as the interior, the

of its proximity to Boston (and its rising population of homeless

single-family house, the housing unit, the neighborhood, and the

teenagers). Extensive research and precedent studies will need to be

city focusing what things or spaces inside these scales make a place

done as well as intensive site analysis of the surrounding area. Most

comfortable or vise versa. This could include colors, materials, height,

importantly, the town of Brookline is a tight knit, dense neighborhood.

etc.

The building must not break that, or it can be deemed unsuccessful. If the facility is not well received by its residents and neighbors, the most

It is important to study similar precedents. First, the study of buildings

important aspects of my thesis fail, as it will be a place that does not

relating to program, that are already successful (or unsuccessful)

allow a sense of belonging to the individuals in the facility. Examples

dealing with the user group, is important. Secondly, studying larger

deal with building typologies that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t agree with their context.

scale facilities in context with similar urban fabric as Brookline will be

Context is important.

important. After that, I can start exploring spatial layouts regarding program and site starting with conceptual spatial study models. Things

What needs to be done first is a study to define certain aspects of

such as public versus private sectors, circulation, relationship to the

comfort and fear and make a matrix of adjectives that define these

outdoors, natural light, and materiality are going to be important

terms. Studies will need to be to figure out what about architecture

factors as they will be assisting the main piece of architecture in

makes people comfortable. Architectural adjectives should be

achieving itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main goals.

Results:

Ideas for Future Research:

The final result will be an architectural intervention in the town of

There is always room for future research.

Brookline, MA that addresses the idea of being comfortable and

• Could the model proposed here be implemented in other cities?

to belonging for teenagers who lack these aspects in the New

How would the program change?

England region. The architecture will be successful because careful

• If it is to be studied in other cities, what things would effect the

consideration and thorough research will have been conducted in order

process.

to produce the best possible result. It will serve as a precedent for

• Could similar research and design help with orphans, AIDS victims,

similar projects that consider similar user groups.

etc.

Criteria for Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on the following: • How does the finished product express the ideas of comfort and belonging • Does the finished architecture relate to the problem of homeless and runaway children while being successful in its context. • Is the program successful? • Most importantly, does the finished product promote the idea of the home and domesticity in general? Does the space support this main thesis goal, or does it still show signs of institutional architecture within itself? 22

S I T E

Coolidge Corner is a neighborhood of Brookline, Massachusetts, centered around the intersection of Beacon Street and Harvard Street. The title is said to reference the corner of Coolidge St. and Harvard St. Coolidge Corner developed as a transit-oriented streetcar suburb, and retains a pedestrian-friendly, walkable feel. Many popular coffee shops, pharmacies, small independent boutiques, and ethnic restaurants are located there, as well as a few retail chain stores. including independent films, international cinema, and documentaries. The neighborhood has a significant Jewish population, and there are

It is one of the last remaining original big screen movie houses in the

large synagogues located on both Beacon and Harvard Streets. The

country. The main theatre has a recessed theatrical stage, and seats 600

northern portion of Harvard Street, near the border with the Boston

with classic elegance and cinematic style.

neighborhood of Allston, is characterized by a cluster of Jewishoriented shops and various other stores and eateries.

The S.S. Pierce Building, constructed in 1897, and originally an S.S. Pierce grocery store, is a historically significant Tudor-style building. It

Near Coolidge Corner, at 83 Beals Street, is the birthplace of President

has accommodated a number of businesses over the years (currently it

John F. Kennedy. It is a National Historic Site operated by the National

houses a Walgreenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and a Radio Shack, in addition to several offices

Park Service.

on the second floor), and is recognizable by its large clock tower, visible from nearly all points in Coolidge Corner.

Coolidge Corner is also home of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, a restored Art Deco movie palace that has been showing movies since 1933. It

Coolidge Corner also hosts a popular weekly farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market on

is a not-for-profit arts institution, featuring first run arthouse films,

Thursdays from June through October.

The Fabric of Coolidge Corner

Harvard Street

Getting Aquainted With The Site

Brookline Population

Brookline Landuse

Brookline Zoning

5 Minute Walking Distance From MBTA Green Line

Brookline Income

Brookline Foreign Born Population

Brookline Density in Relation To Education

Brookline School Districts

E M O T I O N A L

M A P P I N G

The second part of the site study was an exploration into the specific area of Coolidge Corner and validate the site as a appropriate place for this specific program. Since the idea of domesticity stems from the four emotions of Comfort, Privacy, Togetherness, and Safety as stated earlier in the research it is important for the site to posses those same emotions or be able to aid those emotions. Site analysis started with a scientific approach based on the ideas of Kevin Lynch, then got more specific. The emotional maps took information from the previous maps to determine the most suitable place for the program.

Beacon Avenue is Coolidge Cornerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical and visual link to Boston proper.

Site Traffic | Circulation

The diagrams here show site traffic and circulation in terms of pedestrian safety.

In red are the busiest streets with the most vehicular traffic.

Pedestrians should be aware and follow rules when trying to cross. In orange, are medium traffic streets with medium to light traffic and pedestrians should be cautious of moving traffic. In green, are more quaint and pedestrian oriented streets. They are more narrow causing the traffic to slow and is light enough where the streets can be utilized by pedestrians.

Site Traffic | Circulation

SCALE 1/50

Noise

The diagrams here show the noise levels influenced by site forces. Noises generate from public transportation, cars, building systems, shops, and pedestrains. In red, is the noisest area, due mainly to the dense commercial business fabric and major thouroughfares with high traffic and public transportation. In orange, is modeeate noise, due to major roads at a certain distance and mainly noise from cars and pedestrains. It is found mostly near civic buildings and multi-family housing. In green, is quiet, and is mostly in single family housing areas, where streets are narrow and limiting to cars. 38

Noise

SCALE 1/50

Nodes of Conviviality

The adjective conviviality by definition is used to describe a location in terms such as friendly, lively, and enjoyable. The Coolidge Corner site presents these aspects in a number of locations across the general site. These locations provide the individual with a sense of comfort and togetherness at places such as coffee shops, bistros, shops, libraries, and churches. 40

Nodes of Conviviality

SCALE 1/50

Access and Pathways

Coolidge Corner is in a location with an abundance of transportation access and pedestrian accessibility. The MBTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Line and the 66 Bus pass right through the site and make it easy for the user group to access the city of Boston and vise versa. Not only that, but within the site, the streets are friendly and promote pedestrian movement to various locations around the area. 42

Access and Pathways

SCALE 1/50

Attractions

The proposed facility is designated for a certain user group between the ages of 5 to 21 so it is important to be aware of areas that an individual from that user group would find attractive. The following are some of those attractions on a macro and minor scale.

Attractions

SCALE 1/50

Typologies

SCALE 1/50

Togetherness

Togetherness derives from Jane Jacobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concept of the livable street: Buildings should always be facing the street. They should be eyes upon the street where activity is acknowledged. The sidewalk should be used continuously at nearly all hours to add a sense of community where children should able to play on sidewalks. Coolidge Corner possesses these traits and shown are examples. Building mostly face the street where shops and eateries are present. 48

Privacy

Privacy is displayed in this diagram from the idea of Acoustics. Shown in red, Beacon and Harvard Streets, and their architecture are alive and busy with various shops, eateries, banks, spas, and apartments. However, smaller neighborhoods feed of these streets in a more private matter. What is beneficial about these smaller neighborhoods are they are quieter and serene. Coolidge Corner has the best of both. 49

Safety

Neighborhood streets should be as narrow as possible and accommodate only slow moving traffic. Not only are they easier to cross, narrow streets are much more pleasant for all activities, such as walking along the sidewalk or sitting in an outdoor cafĂŠ. The best way to discourage street use is to build wide roads with high volumes of high-speed traffic. Motor vehicles, en masse, make streets unlivable. Shopkeepers also have a vested interest in neighborhood safety, and serve as street guardians. 50

Comfort

A large number of shops and public places, particularly those that are bustling at night, should be sprinkled throughout a neighborhood, . Such attractions give people a reason to use sidewalks, and also help to populate places â&#x20AC;&#x153;which have no attractions to public use in themselves but which become traveled and peopled as routes to somewhere elseâ&#x20AC;? 51

M A T R I X

The Matrix is probably the most important aspect of the design methodology. This matrix full of designed archetypes provided the basis for design of all the spaces within the piece of architecture. This methodology considered the special qualities found in archetypal elements. A survey was taken to figure out the most successful types and the results were considered in the design. What follows is those results matched with in depth considerations about what are the most important feelings needed in this type of program (earlier known as togetherness, privacy, safety, and comfort) as well as a thorough display of these feelings through certain architectural elements and lastly descending in scales.

T O G E T H E R N E S S

The City Park is a urban scale archetype that promotes togetherness. Unlike the fabric surrounding the park, it is a single space that allows the rest of the neighborhood to convene and be together.

Figure ground of The City Park

T O G E T H E R N E S S

The Courtyard Complex is a neighborhood scale archetype that promotes togetherness. Unlike the program that sorrounds the courtyard, it is a single space that allows the rest of the complex to convene and be together.

Plan view of the Courtyard Complex

T O G E T H E R N E S S

The Dining Room is a household scale archetype that promotes togetherness. This room carries certain traditions that involve dinners and social gatherings. Furniture, like tables are often put inside of this room that promote social engagement. Highlighted in this plan is the table and fireplace for those very reasons.

Plan view of the Dining Room

T O G E T H E R N E S S

The living room is a household scale archetype in a home for general and informal everyday use. It is a room for entertaining, reading, watching TV, and listening to music. In the 19th century, the front parlor was the room in the house used for formal social events, including where the recently deceased were laid out before their funeral. The term â&#x20AC;&#x153;living roomâ&#x20AC;? marks the twentieth-century effort of architects and builders to strip the parlor of its burial and mourning associations. This room was relabeled with this more affirmative term in the 20th century.

Plan view of the Living Room

T O G E T H E R N E S S

The shared fireplace is an individual scale archetype that is an example of instances within the home that are shared by more than one person.

Plan View of Living Room

P R I V A C Y

The City Park is a urban scale archetype that has the power to promote privacy. Unlike the fabric surrounding the park, it is a single space protected by the architecture around it.

Figure ground of The City Park

P R I V A C Y

The Courtyard House is a household scale archetype that has the power to promote privacy. Unlike the fabric surrounding the park, it is a single space protected by the architecture around it.

Plan View of the Courtyard House

P R I V A C Y

The bedroom is a household scale archetype that promotes privacy. Traditionally it has been the most private part of a house for the individual; the place where a person sleeps and keeps there belongings.

Plan View of the Bedroom

P R I V A C Y

The kitchen nook is an individual scale archetype that promotes privacy. It is sized for only the individual to be alone for reading, eating, or reflection.

Plan View of the Kitchen Nook

S A F E T Y

The City Hall is a urban scale archetype that promotes the idea of safety and authority. It is an icon of order within a community.

Plan View of a City Hall

S A F E T Y

Gym The School is a neighborhood scale archetype that promotes the idea of safety and authority. It has boundaries and plenty of people inside

Cafe

Courtyard

and out at all times.

Diagram of typical school layout

S A F E T Y

The house is a household scale archetype that promotes the idea of safety. Where you are inside the house is important as well. The attic has a more safe feeling then the cellar.

Diagram of the house in section

S A F E T Y

The bed is an individual scale archetype that promotes the idea of safety. It is the most intimate location for the individual to be in.

Plan of the individual bed

C O M F O R T

The Cathedral is an urban scale archetype that promotes the idea of comfort. It is an icon as a center of faith and comfort in numbers.

Plan of the Cathedral.

C O M F O R T

The Garden is a neighborhood scale archetype that promotes the idea of comfort. It is outside, beautiful, and is shared by many people.

Diagram of the public garden

C O M F O R T

The Lanai is a household scale archetype that promotes the idea of comfort. It is open air and provides relaxation

Plan and Section of the Lanai

C O M F O R T

The Bay Window is an individual scale archetype that promotes the idea of comfort. It has connections to the outside, and it is bright and custom usable space within a room.

The bay window

P R E C E D E N T S Covenant House - New York City

street and offers that important sense of security.

The Covenant House Mission statement helps us stay true to our calling

Value Communication - Lying, cheating, and stealing are common

as we serve homeless kids:

survival tools on the street. Covenant House teaches by example that caring relationships are based on trust, respect, and honesty.

We who recognize God’s providence and fidelity to His people are

Structure - Homeless kids never know how they will get their next meal

dedicated to living out His covenant among ourselves and those

or where they will sleep. Covenant House provides the stability and

children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That

structure necessary to build a positive future.

commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to

Choice - Young people often feel powerless to control their lives,

protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in His humanity is

and fall into a self-defeating cycle of failure. Covenant House fosters

the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our efforts

confidence, encouraging young people to believe in themselves and

together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the

make smart choices for their lives.

presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.

Covenant House is dedicated to serving all of God’s children with absolute respect and unconditional love… to help suffering homeless

Immediacy - Homeless kids come to Covenant House in crisis.

kids… and to protect and safeguard all children in need.

Immediately and without question, we meet their basic human needs – a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a

Covenant House is the largest privately funded childcare agency in the

safe place away from the dangers of the street.

United States providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway

Sanctuary - Homeless kids arriving at our door are often frightened

youth. It is a Christian founded establishment, and has an excellent

and mistrustful. Young men and women can grow only when they feel

mission statement that really relates to what determines the program in

safe and secure – Covenant House protects them from the perils of the

my facility. 70

Resource Development Center Holst Architecture, Portland OR 2009 At the gateway to Downtown Portland, The Resource Access Center is a planned 8 story housing projects the will provide 3 major program elements. • A day center providing services to transition people out of homelessness. • A 24-hour shelter for ninety men. • Five floors of permanent housing with 130 studio apartments included. The RAC will also contain administration offices for Transition Projects, a community space and offices for the housing authority of Portland, and extensive courtyards for the day center and men’s shelter Programmatically, the facility has a similar program that I want to have within my facility. However, it also is successful in creating comfortable spaces on the exterior and out with the materials it uses,

the transparency between the inside and out, and the relationship it has with landscape and nature.

Amsterdam Orphanage - Aldo Van Eyck 1950s The orphanage, which used to house just over 100 children, has from the outset a distinct feeling of infinity due to the attention Van Eyck has paid to the articulation of numbers and their configuration. The multiplication of the individual units is done in such a way that the identity of each unit is read as part of the whole. Diagonals govern both the spatial dynamic and the circulation of these units. Van Eyck calls this type of duality a twin phenomenon. It is this sensitivity he feels is missing from the city, in particular the sequences between spaces. He believes that irrespective of the function or area a space occupies its relationship with other spaces and the whole needs to be addressed. Like the ‘Nagele village’ the orphanage has been decentralized into a number of communal areas with interconnecting internal streets. The residential units are arranged along these streets in a staggered formation giving each of them individual outdoor spaces. He calls this sequence or journey between places the ‘traffic space’. He is considers the places in between places, as places, resulting in the growth or dispersion of a pattern. In this situation the design has evolved from the daily life patterns of the staff and residents. It is this spatial continuity and his poly-centric ideas, which he says should be conceived as a city. 72

Gardiner Museum Renewal - Toronto, Onatario, Canada / KPMB Architects The Gardiner Museum is one of the world’s pre-eminent institutions devoted to ceramic art, and the only museum of its kind in Canada. It is also one of the major projects in Toronto’s cultural renaissance. The Gardiner renewal, together with the Royal Ontario Museum across the street and the Royal Conservatory of Music around the corner on Bloor Street West, will form a new cultural precinct for the city. Framed between the neoclassical Lillian Massey building to the north and the Queen Anne-style Margaret Addison Hall to the south, the renewal creates a bolder, more welcoming urban presence for the Gardiner. Inside, the interior is completely transformed to prioritize the display of the museum’s collections and to create a memorable, inviting visitor experience. The renewal builds on top of the original structure, designed by Keith Wagland in 1984, to anticipate vertical expansion. The third floor expansion and extension of the original footprint to the street negotiates a bolder image for the Gardiner, while carefully maintaining the intimate scale for which the original building was admired. The original pink granite exterior is replaced with polished buff limestone to give the Gardiner a more contemporary image. The limestone seamlessly weaves existing and expanded spaces together. Screens of limestone louvers control solar exposure into the upper floors of the west and south facades. The front of the museum is completely re-landscaped with a series of terraced platforms that provide a gradual ascent into the forecourt of the building.

R O O M

P R O T O T Y P E S

Privacy is the most important emotion that needs to be reflected in this facility because before this, these homeless children has no sense of ownership. When these teenagers were on the street, they has no place to call their home and no place to house their belongings. Since this is a major aspect of domesticity, and inside the bedroom is where the most intimate personal item is located - the bed- it is important that these rooms are designed in a way that provides these users with a sense of privacy and ownership.

Prototype 1: Includes room for a twin side bed with storage for goods underneath. The beds slab continues into a window nook that looks over the balcony. Across from the balcony door is a compact desk with a niche for added storage and pictures etc.

Elevation 1: Visible here is the desk and its niche space as well as the space on the balcony. Underneath the bed as space for clothing and other goods.

Elevation 2: Visible here is the desk and its niche space as well as the space on the balcony.

Prototype 2: In this prototype the bed sits in the rear middle of the room, punched into a gable style wall, replicating rooms in older gable houses. A desk is installed into the wall. This layout provides a lot of space, while still giving the impression of a quaint private room.

Elevation 1: Visible here is the desk and how the bed sits into the gable wall/ceiling. 79

Elevation 2: Visible here is how the bed sits into the gable wall/ceiling.

Prototype 3: In this prototype the bed sits in the middle of the room. A desk is installed into the exterior wall at eye height; looking over the balcony and courtyard. Storage is built into the bed. Fixed to the wall is a night stand for more personal belongings.

Elevation 1: Visible here is how the balcony, window, desk and bed. There is easy interaction between the desk and the outdoors.

Elevation 2: Visible here is how the balcony, window, desk and bed. There is easy interaction between the desk and the outdoors.

Prototype 4: The bed in this prototype is under a gable style wall, imitating being inside a gable roofed house. Built into it is space for books and personal belongings. Next to it, a nice and a window over the courtyard. A desk is provided for work space.

Elevation 1: Elevation of the room showing locations of the bed and desk and emphasizing the gable wall/ceiling.

Elevation 2: Elevation of the room showing locations of the bed and desk and emphasizing the niche and the window.

P R O G R A M The Conceptual Program

of a comfortable home and a sense of belonging is beneficial to healthy emotional human development in children and teenagers.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore foremost what it means to

This architectural contribution will aid these children and teenagers in

be comfortable through architecture. The term home has plenty of

growing up, since they are facing difficulties from being on their own.

different meanings that are transversal according to different societies

The finished design will be a comfortable space based on values of

and cultures.

the home and other comfortable spaces people tend to associate with comfort.

I feel a common misconception is that people tend to think the terms house and home are the same thing. A house is an edifice and

It will tend to the immediate necessities of a homeless child first. Most

whether it is made from dirt and leaves or from bricks and glass, it is

likely, the individual will be tired, scared, and hungry. The facility needs

strictly just a container. A home is much more than that; it is a space

to address these basic human needs – a nourishing meal, a shower,

that evokes a sense of comfort. It is communal. People act as a family,

clean clothes, and medical attention. After this it needs provide a safe

and have a sense of belonging. What we call “homeless” usually would

place away from the street.

actually be described as “houseless” since they indeed have no literal shelter. The purpose of this thesis can and will help that, however, it

Young men and woman can grow only when they feel safe and secure,

goes further because we can also say that children and teenagers who

so the spaces need to give them that sense of safety and security along

have abusive and destructive households are “homeless.” These spaces

with comfort and encouragement.

lack the sense of belonging. They are freighting and uncomfortable. They are limiting.

Many of these kids have been lacking a proper education and their needs to be space that aids them in getting back on track with their

I want my building to change that. Through the research the lack

educational studies. There also can be space available for art or music, 88

serving almost as therapy. But before that is possible, they need to be

exterior will have an important and inviting entrance way that is

taught principals such as trust, honesty, and respect, since out on the

noticed by all in the community. This is the first thing these children

street, cheating and stealing gets you furthest ahead.

and teenagers will see and it needs to be a place they want to enter. The lower lever will be permeable and will express program functions

I propose a wellness and support shelter that acts as a sanctuary for

that address the immediate needs to these children. A check-in

these individuals. In simplest terms it will function as a homeless

lobby, a place for meals, a place for medical attention and showers,

shelter, however through architecture it can be more. Through

and a place for distribution of clean clothes will all be accessible upon

architecture we can create comfortable spaces that erase the memories

entrance of the building. Communal spaces for large social interaction

of sleeping on the street. It can promote interaction with other people

will be down here, preferably visible to the street.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; child and adultâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; and give a sense of belonging instead of loneliness. It can give a sense of security rather than fear. In the facility it will be

There will also be space for therapy, and educational practices. These

possible to experience growing up in a healthy manner catered towards

may be on the first floor as well, with relationships to the outside.

success rather than self-defeating failure.

There needs to be administrative offices for the organizers of the

program running the facility including offices for a board of directors,

It will have an inviting exterior, serving as a beacon to kids from around

and places to for conference. Private sectors for these individuals will

the area without a place to stay.

be there too.

Functional

The place will be housing and children and will need to be portioned off according to age. I think there should be two styles of housing

My proposal as a child homeless and wellness center is intended to

arrangements: long term housing for kids and teenagers that have

address and aid the problems these individuals face each day. The

made the choice to runway for good for appropriate reasons such as 89

abusive parents or criminal activates in households. Orphaned children or children without anywhere else to go home to will live here. Then there will be a more short-term style of living quarters that will improve on the homeless shelter model of today. This will be for the individuals that have a more permanent home that they have left behind. It is possible that kids will run away for reasons that can be mediated and this more temporary style of housing will be where they stay. The outdoors is just as important to this facility as the interior program. Outside there will be extensive courtyards and other landscaped program where individuals can reflect. Athletics and games can be conducted outside as well. A gymnasium will also be accessible to the residents. • Lobby – Check In. 2000 square feet • Space for eating/cafeteria 2000 square feet • Social Interaction space 2000 square feet • Medical facility 750 square feet • Classroom space 3000 square feet through out • Administration 1000 square feet • Long term housing 30 individuals • Outdoor Courtyards/Activity 90

S T U D Y

E L E V A T I O N S

Elevation Study One

Elevation Study Two

Elevation Study Three

F L O O R

P L A N S

Ground Floor - Community 1. Check-In / Offices 2. Lobby / Group Multi purpose Room 3. Medical Facilities / Resident Care 4. Kitchen 5. Dining Room 6. Courtyard / Reflecting Pool

2nd Level - Administration / Enrichment 1. Offices / Meeting Area / Office Kitchen 2. Rooftop Deck / Resident Maintained Garden 3. Media Center / Computer Lab 4. Skill Building â&#x20AC;&#x153;Independent Livingâ&#x20AC;? Classrooms

3rd Level - Administration / Residences 1. Offices / Meeting Area 2. Meeting Area 3. Floor Parent Room 4. Bathroom / Shower 5. Laundry / Washroom 6. Group Activity Room

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C O N C L U S I O N The thesis in my eyes was successful because the four major emotions

Another aspect I worry about is the subjectivity of the methodology.

have been reflected throughout the building. One can find Safety

In my peersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes, this methodology has been accepted. I am only

within its walls, behind doors, and from above the street. Privacy

hopeful it can be accepted universally.

is seen within each of the carefully designed bedrooms. Comfort is reflected throughout the first floor whether it be in the courtyard on

During the final review, the project as a whole was accepted quite well.

one of the benches or lawns, or behind the sliding glass windows

Criticism focused on the layout of the plan. To the critics, the building

where a teenager can use the eating facilities, the medical rooms,

still seemed institutional with was a feeling I was trying to abolish in

or just gather inside and out. Most importantly, togetherness is the

such a facility.

inspiration for the building layout, especially the courtyard. Overall, I feel that this project succeeded in satisfying its design criteria. Exploring this thesis was perhaps the most eye opening experience

The emotions involved with directly considered and reflected inside this

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had with architecture. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an easy task to devote ones self to a

buildings design and the methodology up to its completion was the

single ideal. However, now that all the hard work, stress, and anxiety

most thorough I have ever done. Although the building is beautiful, I

have settled, I am pleased with the result.

believe the method I took taking it there possesses that same beauty. There is a true bond between architecture and emotion that is evident

Throughout the semester, constant attention was given to this

in the completed work.

methodology. The matrix created in the beginning was an absolute necessity in order to explore domesticity really meant. I do believe that what was found in those results are the best answers for that question. An element I would have like to work harder on was the depth of that matrix. Although there were four emotions and four scales, I do feel like there could be plenty more results implemented.

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B I B L I O G R A P H Y Aratani, Yumiko. Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences. Rep. New York City: NCCP, 2009. Print.

Ellin, Nan, Architecture of Fear. New York: Princeton Architectural, 1997. Print.

Hammer, Heather, David Finkelhor, and Andrea J. Sedlak. Runaway/ Thrownaway Children: National Estimates and Characteristics. Rep.

Crisp, Barbara. Human Spaces Life-Enhancing Designs for Healing,

Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice

Working, and Living. New York: Rockport, 1998. Print.

and Delinquency Prevention, 2002. Horizons for Homeless Children: Improving the Lives of Homeless American Medical Association. “Health Care Needs of Homeless and

Children and Families. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http://www.

Runaway Youth.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 1989

horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/>. Omopariiwa, Femi. “Runaway Children: Are They Really Happy?”

Covenant House New York - Changing Lives, Creating Futures. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.covenanthouseny.org/about_us.asp>. Kultermann, Udo. Architecture in the 20th century. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1993. Print. Fitchen, Janet. “Homelessness in Rural Places: Perspectives from Upstate New York.” Urban Anthropolgy 20 (1991): 177-210. Print. Nord, Mark, and A. E. Luloff. “Homeless Children and Their Families in New Hampshire: A Rural Perspective.” Social Science Review. 1995.

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Creating Domesticity in Architecture The thesis deals with emotions and phenomenology as the basis for design. How one perceives a space has direct involvement and the power to foster healthy human development. Through a matrix based on architectural archetypes one considers what makes a household a home for the developing youth that has been displaced from their family. Emotional mapping based on the feeling of Comfort, Privacy, Togetherness, and Safety determine the adequate site that assists the designed facility.

Domesticty in Architecture Daniel Kevin Naylor

Arch

2010