Winter 2011 – ARCH 481 – Instructor: Will Bruder
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This was my first residential project in studio, where we were asked to design low income or SRO housing. It was a very different project compared to the more cultural and poetic work we had done earlier, so it was very exciting to do something leaning more towards the pragmatic.
My SRO building was intended as a half way home for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts (thus the whole building is ADA accessible). One big reason for these people to fall back on drugs or alcohol is their trouble to “fit” back in with society.
My response to this was to open up between floors so you’re seemingly confined to just your floor, engaging conversation to people on floors above and beneath you. I made a larger outdoor community space on the second floor to give a sense of privacy yet giving the residents a chance to interact. Lastly there is an internet café and a thrift store where the occupants that are ready for it can work as a part of job training. In addition, I oriented the rooms for adequate and equal lighting and made a small clinic as well as a counseling room to bring these people back as a part of the community as a whole.
“Intended for homeless people who are recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, this low income housing project aims to give its residents a dignified home that accommodates the basic living needs. At the same time it offers community spaces, training and a small clinic to give its residents the help they need to again become a part of society.”
From presentation document