AN ARCHITECTURE FOR THE DISCRIMINATED:
ALEXANDRA SAFE HOUSE
AN ARCHITECTURE FOR THE DISCRIMINATED:
ALEXANDRA SAFE HOUSE
AN ARCHITECTURE FOR THE DISCRIMINATED: ALEXANDRA SAFE HOUSE by: Melanie Whedon
Project presented to the: Faculty of the Department of Architecture College of Architecture and the Built Environment Philadelphia University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of: BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE Design 10: Research and Design Faculty Chris Harnish Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 2014
AN ARCHITECTURE FOR THE DISCRIMINATED:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. RESEARCH
APPROACH AND METHODS
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
INVESTIGATIVE METHODS
II. THESIS + PROPOSAL
THESIS ABSTRACT
THESIS STATEMENT
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
DESIGN PROPOSAL
III. PROCESS
IV. FINAL ITERATION
SITE ANALYSIS + INVESTIGATION
FINAL DESIGN DOCUMENTATION
PROGRAM STUDY
ANALYSIS + CRITIQUE
PROCESS DOCUMENTATION
WORKS CITED
I. RESEARCH
i THE CURRENT RAPE CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA South Africa is currently considered to be the rape capital of the world. It is estimated that a rape occurs once every four seconds throughout the country. In fact, one in four men will admit to have raped a woman, and half of those men will admit to having raped multiple women. Because of the existing culture, victims of gendered violence most often do not report the crime as men continuously find the behavior acceptable.
1 in 4 admit to rape
in alexandra
half of those have also admitted to raping multiple women
most times, the attack is done by someone within the family
and women are led to believe it was their fault human rights activists believe the majority of rapes in south africa go unreported.
52%
population
48%
lack education
18% 13% 65%
of the unemployed
35% 70%
collect fuel source
30%
are the ‘head of household’
30% 70%
WOMEN MEN
YET WOMEN FACE DISCRIMINATION ON NEARLY EVERY FRONT This oppression of women expands to nearly every social front. Even though the South African population is a slightly higher percentage female,
they
create
a
higher
percentage of the unemployed, lack a higher amount of education, and usually do not have decision making power in both politics and individual households. All of the issues that women face create a cyclical effect, leading to one another and creating a trap which suppresses women from reaching their full potential.
WOMEN ARE TRAPPED IN A cycle of NETWORK OF ISSUES discrimination
This oppression of women expands to nearly every social front. Even though the South African population is a slightly higher percentage
HIV/AIDS
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
IMPROPER HEALTH CARE AWARENESS
female,
they
create
a
higher
percentage of the unemployed, lack a higher amount of education, and
IMPROPER HEALTH CARE
usually do not have decision making power in both politics and individual households. All of the issues that
CARETAKER ROLE
women face create a cyclical lack of education
effect, leading to one another and creating a trap which suppresses
unemployment
women from reaching their full potential.
FEMALE CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS poverty GENDERED violence
HISTORY
safety
HIV/AIDS
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
IMPROPER HEALTH CARE AWARENESS
IMPROPER HEALTH CARE
CARETAKER ROLE
lack of education
unemployment
FEMALE CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS poverty GENDERED violence
HISTORY
safety
perceiving experience
information
cycle of discrimina
perceived
negative perception
discrimination
HOW CAN YOU CHANGE A CULTURAL PERCEPTION?
ation
South Africa is currently considered to be the rape capital of the world. It is estimated that a rape occurs once every four seconds throughout the country. In fact, one in four men will admit to have raped a woman, and half of those men will admit to having raped multiple women. Because of the existing culture, victims of gendered
accepted violence
large scale aggression
living in fear
In the dense confines of Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, there are currently only five resources for women to seek help. The population is estimated to be anywhere between 400,000 to 700,000 people in the mere square mile. Five resources are simply not enough. By providing an opportunity for women and girls to help themselves, they can learn how to help each other and find their voice in a shifting cultural perception of women.
out of alex
adapt
bombani safe house
police station
rebecca’s well
BOMBANI SAFE HOUSING: current strategy of safe “STALE SPACE” The housing at bombani is to
separate the shelter from the community, yet the lack of programming makes the space feel ‘stale.’ This program is meant for 12 -20 families for two weeks. Yet only three families come at a time. Also, this space does not prove to be successful as most battered women return to their abusive environments after their stay. The complex is fenced from the surrounding community and lacks programming assets. This creates a negative atmosphere for the self-contained community, discouraging women from helping themselves. With the addition of community and educational program, safe housing shelters for battered women could potentially help women rather than drive them back to their abusive situations.
self community outdoor community
AN INTERVIEW WITH SHEILA WISE ROWE OF REBECCA’S WELL IN SOWETO AND ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP February 19, 2014
MEETING NOTES -
Rebecca’s Well works with women and teenage girls in Soweto, though the program’s been longer standing in Soweto. o
About 2.5 years in Alex
-
Many of the girls in Alex are in a family situation where they live in a shack.
-
The initial focus was to empower women through micro-enterprise, with the ability to further their training o
-
Beauty, cooking, and younger mothers put through school
In Alex, girls ended up coming in as much as women. o
Sought safe places.
o
The relationships between mothers and daughters became a major focus, so girls brought moms into the program.
-
There is a need for safe housing.
-
Bombani, the current safe housing in Alex, is somewhat “tired.” With a capacity for about 12 families, there’s really only 3-4 families at a time. They do not offer many other services besides safe housing
-
There is absolutely a need to create an economic and social network for women in a self-sustaining business model.
-
Rebecca’s Well in Alex is currently having a difficult time finding space.
-
Generating income on site is certainly possible. The restaurant (JC Fires) is currently a good business model for Rebecca’s Wall.
-
The combination of food, clothing, and traditional crafts are good business ideas. There is even a potential to expand to online selling.
-
Rebecca’s Well is about to partner with Jewels of Hope, which works with other organizations to provide income for teenage girls.
-
The expansion in Alex means that the infrastructure needs to be there.
-
For safe housing, 18 months is potentially too long because residents tend to feel too comfortable. Sheila recommends 6 months to a year.
-
The group stays in close touch with the women that go through their programs, and many times they come back to offer services to Rebecca’s Well
-
Spark and passion are very important in keeping with the program.
-
Rebecca’s Well is interested in seeing various possibilities.
REBECCA’S WELL:NEED FOR Well sought INCOME STABILITY Rebecca’s to mix safe housing with
the community, yet had to shut down due to a lack of funding. This program was for 6 girls and 18 months long, seeking to immerse the women into the surrounding community and the community into the women’s safe housing community. This relationship releases the tension between women and their situations, allowing them to be fully empowered by the end of the program. Rebecca’s Well currently operates out of Soweto as well as Alexandra Township. Since their funding was cut short, their inability to provide safe housing for women has led them to focusing on educational components and job training to empower women to create their own lives. A program such as Rebecca’s Well needs to exist alongside an income generator in order to create a self-sustaining program.
safety education community
INITIAL PROJECT PROPOSAL SENT TO REBECCA’S WELL
I.
Background a.
II.
Rebecca’s Well Background a.
III.
I am currently a fifth year architecture student at Philadelphia University. We are currently enrolled in research based studios, with our studio particularly focusing on global urban architecture. The site of investigation is Alexandra Township. In doing research, I have focused on creating a program to empower women through entrepreneurship and safe housing.
Originating from Boston, Rebecca’s Well has expanded to Soweto and Alexandra Township as a program to empower women socially and economically. The organization is currently operating out of a restaurant, and currently serving both women and teenage girls. Programs involved with Rebecca’s Well are skills training, entrepreneurship, and the house of healing.
Project Brief a.
The intent of this project is to explore possibilities of renovation and expansion for Rebecca’s Well is Alexandra Township. These drawings and images will not be able to go straight from these images a building; another architect will be needed to translate the spatial and programmatic ideas into a reality.
IV.
Project Proposal a.
The project seeks to explore spatial and programmatic options for Rebecca’s Well in Alexandra Township. i. Understanding issues of economy, safety, and sustainable technical systems of building in order to create an efficient, self-sustaining model.
b.
This project will take on a two phase process. i. PHASE I 1.
Phase I will include the slight renovations of the current building which Rebecca Well is using. 2. This phase will look at minimal, effective changes to the building’s layout and spatial qualities. ii.
PHASE II
1. Phase II will look at the expansion of Rebecca’s Well in Alexandra Township. 2. Thorough investigation will be done in the area of site selection, programmatic requirements, and infrastructural needs. 3. The goal of this phase will be to design an economically affordable structure which supports a self-sustaining business model. Green, sustainable technology will be implemented to create a building ‘off the grid.’
II. THESIS + PROPOSAL
thesis By p r o v i d i n g an op p o r t u n i t y for w om e n a n d g irls to he l p t h e m s e lves, t he y c a n l e a rn ho w t o h e l p each ot h e r a n d f i n d their v oi c e i n a s h ifting c ul t u r a l p e r ception of w o m e n .
STAND TALL STAND TOGETHER AGAINST GENDERED VIOLENCE
WI TH LOVE, FROM ALEX . AN ARTWORK SERIES PROMOTING WOMEN AND MEN TO STAND AGAINST RAPE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP.
STAND TALL STAND TOGETHER AGAINST GENDERED VIOLENCE
WI TH LOVE, FROM ALEX . AN ARTWORK SERIES PROMOTING WOMEN AND MEN TO STAND AGAINST RAPE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP.
PROJECT GOALS
The
goals
for
this
project
are
ultimately to create an economic and social self-sustaining program. However, the architecture responds to this need in every way possible. For this particular project, the location is Alexandra Township. In this area, the goal is to let Alexandra be a mother. Yet for the imagined existence of projects everywhere, the goals remain the same: highlight women, promote peace, sustain empowerment, and create beautiful space that women and men alike will want to use. This project has the opportunity to aesthically become a landmark for women’s rights worldwide, by not only providing the tools necessary but becoming an icon.
DESIGN PROPOSAL THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE A SOCIALLY AND ECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINING PROGRAM TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND SHIFT THE CULTURAL PERCEPTION OF GENDER THROUGH MERGING SAFE HOUSING WITH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR INCOME GENERATION.
III. PROCESS
WOMEN’S CENTERS:
WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
KAYONZA, RWANDA WOMEN’S centre
rufisque, senegal women’s health care centre
burkina faso
FAR M CLASSROOMS
PUBLI C
PARTNERS
ADMIN
ADMIN
VISITORS LODGE
MEETING ROOM
MEETING ROOM
MEETING ROOM
OFFICE S
HEALTH
THE HAL L
HEALTH
MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM PUBLI C
MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM
MARKE T
INCOME GENERATO R PUBLI C
STAFF LODGE
KITCHEN
PUBLI C
INCOME GENERATO R
MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM
PROGRAMMATIC PRECEDENTS
OFFICE S
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBL Y OFFICE S
PROGRAM OUTLINED
Below is the programmatic make-up of the complex that will theoretically provide enough space to generate income, provide public amenities, and house women temporarily as well as long-term to be considered a part of the program for the educational and skills training center.
COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
WOMEN
housinghousing library library library perf. 250 sq m
250 sq m
health health clinic clinic 130 sq m
130 sq m
counsel center
counsel center
100 sq m
100 sq m
admin admin 250 sq m
250 sq m
security station
security station
50 sq m
50 sq m
150 sq m
150 sq m
150 sq m
computer center
computer center
computer center
100 sq m
100 sq m
100 sq m
skills skills skills training trainingtraining 250 sq m
250 sq m
250 sq m
health education
health education
health education
100 sq m
100 sq m
100 sq m
kitchen
kitchen
kitchen
perf. pe venue venue ve 150 sq m
150 sq m
15
retail retailre 250 sq m
250 sq m
25
food food fo 130 sq m
130 sq m
13
gym gym gy 130 sq m
130 sq m
13
outdooroutdoorout gardens gardensgardens plaza plaza pl 100 sq m
100 sq m
100 sq m
PROGRAM PROXIMITY
The
programmatic
make-up
is
complimented by the proximity it has to each other. For intstance, the program is arranged in order to outline smaller outdoor courtyards and venues to activate the programmatic spaces. It should also be arranged to shift from public, to semi-public, to private.
private
WOMEN
housing 250 sq m
100 sq m
security station
250 sq m
EDUCATION skills
computer center 100 sq m
gym retail public
130 sq m
library training 150 sq m
250 sq m
gardens kitchen health education 100 sq m
100 sq m
perf. food venue
130 sq m 250 sq m
health clinic
gardens
50 sq m
admin
counsel center
outdoor plaza
150 sq m
130 sq m
COMMUNITY
HOUSING
EDUCATION
& SKILLS
COMMUNITY
THE SITE
A WOMEN’S CENTER, IN ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP
ALEX’S YOUTH PRECINCT The youth precinct in Alexandra Township is located along London Road. The precinct currently has two schools within its boundaries and three community centers. There are also two other schools, one of which is the Central College of Johannesburg in Alexandra Township, as well as ample amount of access to public transit. The corner site of 13th and London makes for a great location for the women’s center because it has the private end facing the schools and a complimentary private side along London Road.
ANALYZING THE SITE The site has three main entrances: one from the youth precinct, one of Alex along 13th, and a main entrance
from
along London Road.
Johannesburg
& ZONING THE SITE
With the three main programs, safety, education, and community, the main purpose is to separate and connect the safety with the community. On site, the safest part is along the northern brick wall, while the communal part wants to be attached to the edge.
ADMIN
CLINIC 1
CLINIC CLINIC 2 3 HOME ENTRY
GALLERY
WAITING ROOM
WOMEN’S LOBBY
BOXING 1
BOOK STORAGE
BOXING 3
ADMIN INFORMAL CLASSROOM 1
BOXING 2
STORAGE WALL
INFORMAL CLASSROOM 2 SEWING & TAILORING
JEWELERY MAKING
WOO METAL
CRAFT COURTYARD
RETAIL
RETAIL
RETAIL
HOME ENTRY
HOME ENTRY
HOME ENTRY
HOME ENTRY
PERSONAL KITCHEN
WORK KITCHEN
OD & SHOP
RESTAURANT
RETAIL
RETAIL
STORAGE
HOUSING GARDENS
MULTI-PURPOSE VENUE
PUBLIC PLAZA
12T
HA
VEN
UE
AD RO ON D LON
12T
HA
VEN
UE
12T HA VEN UE
D LON
D ON
ON
ON
RO
AD
BUILDING FORMS RESPOND TO THE SUN, WATER, AND INTERSTITIAL SPACE D OA R
A PUBLIC PLAZA
PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
THE CRAFT COURTYARD
HOUSING GARDENS FOR HEALING
A HEALING GARDEN WITH A VIEW TO EVERYTHING
IV. FINAL ITERATION
BIRD’S EYE VIEW
12TH AVENUE
MINERVA SECONDARY SCHOOL
TO ADMIN HOUSING EXAM ROOM 1
EXAM ROOM 2
EXAM ROOM 3
SINGLE TEMP. HOUSING
HEALING GARDEN
HEALTH & BUILDING ADMIN
DOUBL TEMP HOUSIN
RECEPTION
WOMEN’S GALLERY
WAITING ROOM
TO LONG TERM HOUSING LOBBY
ADMIN
HEA
STO
INFORMAL CLASSROOM 2
BOXING PRACTICE AREA
JEWELERY MAKING
SE TA
BOOK STORAGE
TO COMPUTER MEZZ.
BOXING RINK
ADMIN
INFORMAL CLASSROOM 1
CRAFT CIRCULATION DESK
RETAIL 1
LONDON ROAD
RETAIL 2
TO NGO OFFICES
SINGLE TEMP. HOUSING
LE P. NG
DOUBLE TEMP. HOUSING
SINGLE TEMP. HOUSING
DOUBLE TEMP. HOUSING
SINGLE TEMP. HOUSING
M
W
13TH AVENUE
PHOLOSHO PRIMARY SCHOOL
MEETING ROOM 2 MEETING ROOM 1
M HOUSING
HOUSING GARDENS OUTDOOR DINING ROOM
PERSONAL KITCHEN
WOOD & METAL SHOP
WORK KITCHEN
STAGE
EWING & AILORING
STORAGE
ORAGE WALL
TO GREEN ROOF
ALING WALL
MULTI-PURPOSE VENUE SPACE
T COURTYARD PUBLIC PLAZA
RESTAURANT
RETAIL 3
RETAIL 4
RETAIL 5
SITE PLAN NG ROAD
LLEGE JOHANNESBURG CO US MP CA ALEXANDRA
LONG TERM HOUSING METAL INSULATED PANEL GYPSUM BOARD INTERIOR METAL ROD RAIN SCREEN
HOUSING COURTYARD PERFORATED METAL BALCONY WOODEN SLOT STAIRCASE METAL SCREEN ARTWORK FRUIT TREES ON SOUTHERN SIDE BRICK-BOUNDED RAISED BEDS
SHORT TERM HOUSING DOUBLE WITHE BRICK WALL METAL ROD RAIN SCREEN
DOUBLE PURPOSE FACADE DOUBLE WITHE BRICK
NORTHERN VERTICAL GARDEN INTERNAL STORAGE
SECTION A
CRAFT CENTER
RETAIL UNITS LATCH-DOOR
TRACK-SLIDING WALLS
CONCRETE COUNTER
ROTATING PIVOT DOORS
WOODEN SHELVING SYSTEM FOR DISPLAY
CONCRETE FLOORING
PERFORATED METAL DOORS
SECTION B
RETAIL POD PERSPECTIVE
CRAFT CENTER NOOK
CRAFT CENTER
TEMPORARY HOUSING ENTRANCE
HEALING GARDEN PERSPECTIVE
CRIT TIME
The final critique overall went very well. The jurors were curious about the amount of housing, and the actual material choices and assembly methods. Yet the critique on the program itself and the construction of space was minimal. At the very least, I was incredibly happy that the jurors believed that the housing strategy was appropriate and could work in this culture. For most of the design portion of the semester, I believe that’s the part where the design seemed to lack further behind. In choosing to focus on only a few buildings, the question arose, is it too busy? I would hope that with the time to work through smaller details of every building on the site, there would be a healthy balance between space and building.
INTERIOR OF HOUSING PERSPECTIVE
A CRITIQUE OF THE SEMESTER
In being the first class of a new curriculum, one that in particular has removed thesis as a studio option, I would without a doubt say that the semester
set-up
was
successful.
Although it proved to be a lot of work, the students seemed to always put enough energy and time into their own projects as well giving each other productive criticism in moving forward. The key to the success in studio was having the right degree of framework in guiding us through the semester. With the ability to focus on a huge scale of issues, yet all particular to a certain place and culture, we all rose to the challange, and rather gracefully. There certainly needs to be attention given to Professor Harnish as well, for guiding us in proper timing and on an individualistic basis. This definitely had the largest impact, aiding us in aiding each other, and pushing each of us to accept ownership of our own projects.
BIBLIOGRAPHY "Bombani to Shelter Abused Women." Property24. N.p., 6 Mar. 2007. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.property24.com/articles/bombani-to-shelter-abused-women/4895>. Goodyear, Sarah. "Fighting Domestic Violence with Architecture and Design." The Atlantic Cities. N.p., 25 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. James, Jennifer. "Women, Girls on Making Important Reproductive Health Decisions." Impatient Optimists. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2013/11/Women-Girls-On-Making-Reproductive-Health-Decisions>. - - -. "Women Helping Women in Johannesburg's Townships." Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill and Melinda Gates, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2014/03/Women-Helping-Women-in-Johannesburgs-Townships>. Mabuse, Nkepile. "South Africa Fights Rape Crisis." CNN World. CNN, 30 June 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/06/30/sa.rape.crisis/index.html?_ s=PM:WORLD>. Moyo, Anele. "Local Economic Development in Alexandra: A Case Study of Women in the Informal Sector." Wired Space. N.p., May 2005. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://wiredspace.wits. ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/1639/LEDinAlex-Report_May05ver1.pdf?sequence=2>. Quirk, Vanessa. "The 8 Things Domestic Violence Shelters Can Teach Us About Secure School Design." ArchDaily. N.p., 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.archdaily. com/326114/the-8-things-domestic-violence-shelters-can-teach-us-about-secure-school-design/>. "Rebecca's Well." Rebecca's Well. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.rebeccaswell. org/>.
Shephard, Robert. "Working to Fix a Violent Culture." Chicago Tribune Lifestyles. Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 1994. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-28/ features/9408280064_1_domestic-violence-abused-health-workers>. Simpson, G. "Women and Children in Violent South African Township." Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. N.p., 1993. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.csvr.org.za/ index.php/publications/1620-women-and-children-in-violent-south-african-townships.html>. "Today He Gave Her Flowers." Communities at Work. Seriti Institute, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.seriti.org.za/index.php/gauteng/63-joburg-region-e>. Wilson, Merridy, ed. "Alexandra Township and the Alexsan Kopano Resource Center." Portal UNESCO. UNESCO, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ files/5240/10431565040Report_Alexan_Kopano.pdf/Report%2BAlexan%2BKopano.pdf>. Wise Rowe, Sheila. Telephone interview. 19 Feb. 2014. "Women and Men in South Africa: Five Years On." Statistics South Africa. N.p., 2002. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/womenandmen5yearson/womenandmen5yearson2000.pdf>. "Women's Opportunity Center Opening." Women for Women International. Women for Women, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.womenforwomen.org/news-women-for-women/ rwanda-womens-opportunity-center-opening.php>.
A very special thanks to all of those who had input in the project development and criticism to push it further, as well as those with insight into the Alexandra Township culture.
MELANIE WHEDON PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CHRIS HARNISH SPRING 2014 DESIGN X
MELANIE WHEDON PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CHRIS HARNISH SPRING 2014 DESIGN X