Creating Home with Refugees in a Small Vermont City
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This project seeks to re-frame the global challenge of population displacement as a local opportunity to create more equitable and resilient neighborhoods and homes in the City of Winooski. 1
Process
The City of Winooski The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Acknowledging the interconnectivity required for successful community development, the project was framed within the context of existing policies and organizations within the state of Vermont. Some of these groups include:
Community and Economic Development Office of Burlington Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Efficiency Vermont Downstreet Housing and Community Development 2
Gossens Bachman Architects
Our Problem Despite the global challenge of population displacement (an issue that is likely to continue increasing as people are displaced due to climate change), there has been decreased support of resettlement from several key governments such as the US. Yet, evidence increasingly shows that traditional models of refugee assistance, such as camps, are not working well.
Hosting Countries
Sources: “UNHCR Global Report 2017,” UNHCR, 5; “Countries in the world by population (2018),” Worldometers.
4.3% of Global Population lives in these countries
A small number of countries, with many existing challenges and a low percentage of the global population, houses a large amount of refugees.
Refugee Arrivals to US 1975 - 2018
The number of refugees admitted to the US has dropped in recent years. Source: “Cumulative Summary of Refugee Admissions,” Refugee Processing Center.
Za’atari Camp
Population Rise %
Jordan has one of the largest refugee camps in the world, home to 78,552 refugees. Source: US Department of State, Flickr.
The number of forcibly displaced persons is growing more than the global population. Source: “Refugee Statistics,” UNHCR; “Global Population,” Worldometers; “UNHCR Global Report 2017,” UNHCR, 16.
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Our Opportunity Refugees and New Americans are already benefiting communities in Vermont by increasing the diversity and economy of the state. Winooski is one of these communities which has benefited from this new population. Additionally, there is a shared housing opportunity, as many Americans are also struggling to find affordable homes. Sources: Alexander Duchac, “The Demographic and Economic Contributions of New Americans to Chittenden County,” CVOEO; “Housing Insecurity Dashboard,” Enterprise, accessed November 16, 2018, http:// housinginsecurity.org/#housingInsecurity.
Approved Settlement as % of Foreign Born Population in City
Hasna Said
In Chittenden County, the refugee population makes up a significant portion of the foreign born population. Source: “RRSC: Where are Refugees Being Resettled,” Refugee Resettlement in Small Cities.
A member of the Somali Women’s Sewing Circle. Source: Sari, Kymelya. “Somali Bantu Women Pursue Skills and Dreams in Sewing Class.” Seven Days, February 21, 2018.
Sudershan Adhikari
Pat Bannerman
Founder of Spice Trader’s Kitchen. Source: Keck, Nina. “In Winooski, Many See Refugee Resettlement As An Economic Advantage.” Vermont Public Radio, Jun 13, 2016.
Founder of Mawuhi African Market. Source: Lockhart-Neff, Heather. “Knowing your Neighbors: the Evolution of Immigrant Owned Small Businesses on North St. and Community Development Goals.” Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty. CVOEO.
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Winooski - Vermont
Uses
Area - 1.43 mile2 Population - 7,237 Density - 5,060 / mile2
Source: “Winooski,” City Data; “Winooski Community Facts,” U.S. Census Bureau; “Winooski Housing Needs Assessment,” City of Winooski Archives.
Winooski is a diverse city which is well connected to the larger Burlington area via public transit, providing access to jobs and services for refugees and other local residents. VT
U.S.
Community Buildings Schools Businesses Shops Restaurants Grocery Stores Islamic Centers Churches
Transit
Winooski
Source: “U.S. QuickFacts,” United States Census Bureau; “ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates,” American Fact Finder; “ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates,” American Fact Finder, Winooski.
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Affordable Housing
Affordability Winooski is also an affordable city, with lower rents and home values than Chittenden County averages. This project focused on creating homes which are affordable to moderate income residents, while also providing several units set aside for refugees, as well as several units sets aside for those at risk of homelessness. Sources: “Winooski Housing Snapshot,” City of Winooski; “Chittenden County Housing Needs Assessment,” ECOS Analysis Report; “Winooski Housing Needs Assessment,” City of Winooski Archives, 41.
Housing Stock of Winooski
Source: “Residential Building Type by Tenure,” Vermont Housing Data.
Area Median Income $50,000 per year
Affordable Homes
Moderate Income 80-120% AMI $40,000 - $60,000 Monthly Rent $1,000 - $1,500 Sources: “Winooski Housing Snapshot,” City of Winooski; “Chittenden County Housing Needs Assessment,” ECOS Analysis Report.
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Site
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Site Located in the gateway district of Winooski, the site (currently parking for the O’Brien Community Center) has the potential for mixed use, inclusive development which is well connected to the center of Winooski and the City of Burlington beyond. This proposal focuses on the northern half of the site, the other being a potential site for a new city hall and library.
Winooski Zoning Map
75' FACADE LENGTH
GARDEN WALL AT LOT LINE
20 FT SETBACK NOT REQUIRED
TREES 5-10 FROM LOT LINE, 30 FT OC 25 FT MEZZANINE SETBACK
Homes
389' RBL LENGTH 320' BUILDING LENGTH
15 FT HALF STORY SETBACK
BUILDING BUILT TO 82% RBL
Library 43,400 SQ FT TOTAL AREA 20,000 MAX SQ FT FOOTPRINT 11,700 CITY HALL 2 FLOORS + 25% COURT 19,856 BLOCK 2
Building Area - 19,856 ft2 32
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Site Existing Conditions
Existing Context
Site
View from Site
View to Park
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Settlement Winooski has a high density, but refugee camps generally have even higher densities. If the site were to be filled based on the settlement pattern of a typical camp, it would fit more refugees than were resettled in Vermont over the course of an entire year. This shows the need to find alternative housing solutions for refugees. 10
Winooski City Population - 7,237 Density - 5,060 / mile2
Site - 43,400 ft2 Population - 8 Dwelling Units - 3
Za’atari Refugee Camp Population - 78,552 Density - 39,276 / mile2
Site - 43,400 ft2 Population - 600 Dwelling Units - 119
Settlement Currently, refugees in Vermont are housed in apartments found on the open market by the USCRI. This may make it challenging to find apartments. New apartments built specifically for refugees may cause resistance from the community, as it may not provide clear benefits to the neighborhood.
Duplex Potential Integration Existing Condition
Apartment Building Spatially Isolating May cause tension
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Mixed Housing A mixed approach can both benefit residents and leverage the new energy of refugees to increase the economy and diversity of the neighborhood.
Mixed Housing Integration Interaction
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Design Objectives In order to provide a space for both Refugees and native Vermonters, it would be important to integrate community development initiatives. Additionally, a variety of spaces can provide possibilities for contact and solitude, as well as choice and personalization, increasing the level of ownership of residents. Affordability for refugees and local residents is another goal.
Semi-public Spaces (Porches)
Mixed Uses
Sloped Roofs 13
Massing Diagram
136’
19,856 ft2 146’
The form of the building responds to ecological factors of the site, while also responding to the design objectives.
Connect to Existing Building and Sink Parking
Wrap Storage and Mechanical with Shops and Shared Spaces. Connect to Street Front and Pedestrian Street
Wrap Apartments around Courtyard
Slant for Balconies Half Story with Terrace
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Cut for Solar Access and Openness
Program
STUDIO (9)
1BR (10)
2BR (9)
Apartments 25,757 ft2 2 Option Space 8,202 ft 2 Shared Circulation 11,481 ft 2 Shared Terraces 6,905 ft 2 Private Balconies 3,894 ft 2 Shops 2,897 ft 2 Cafe 2,640 ft 2 Co-Working 1,162 ft 2 Parking 17,669 ft
The ground floor has a series of shops and option spaces, with a mix of apartments on the floors above. 15
3BR (6)
31.95% 10.18% 14.24% 8.57% 4.83% 3.59% 3.28% 1.44% 21.92%
Climate
Assembly: R 38.9 Targeting Net Positive Total Energy Use Residential: 57,500 kw/yr
High insulation values, efficient systems, and the installation of renewable energy generation can reduce the maintenance costs of the building, and also provide surplus energy to the rest of the neighborhood. Other affordable housing projects have recently reached high environmental performances, setting a new benchmark.
New Roof Area: 6,200 ft2 92kW array 96,812 kwH/year Existing Roof Area: 29,100 437 kW array 459,856 kwH/year Annual Vermont Usage 6,830 kwH/year 67 homes powered by solar Source: https://www.electricchoice.com/blog/electricity-on-average-dohomes/.
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Bayside Anchor
Village Centre
Location - Portland, Maine Date - 2017 Designer - Kaplan Thompson Are of Project - 38,500 ft2 Area of Home - ft2 Amount of Homes - 45
Location - Brewer, Maine Date - 2016 Designer - CSW Architects Area of Project - 54,000 ft2 Area of Home - ft2 Amount of Homes - 48
All Sources: “Bayside Anchor.”
Source: “Village Centre.”
Source: Village Centre - Brewer, ME
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Source: Village Centre - Brewer, ME
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OPTION SPACE: TEMPORARY HOUSING
OPTION SPACE: SHOP
OPTION SPACE: GARDENING CENTER
OPTION SPACE: TOOL LIBRARY
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