04 | CLIENT ANALYSIS Our Client In a housing study conducted by the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO), there were an estimated 130 homeless veterans in San Luis Obispo with 13% of them sheltered and 87% unsheltered. Over 80% of the remaining homeless veterans report to have been chronically homeless for over 1 year and are waiting for the availability of veteran friendly, affordable housing projects to transition out of homelessness. Architectural Concerns for Veterans Fighting for a country you believe in and returning to no family, friends, or home to call your own will change one’s outlook on the world. Many veterans are currently homeless because they are struggling to adjust back to civilian life. The County of San Luis Obispo is home to just over 20,000 of our nation’s veterans, with 1,250 of those veterans living below the poverty line. In fact, of the County’s 3,500 estimated homeless people 12% of them are veterans. The majority of these veterans are male (~94%) and many suffer from disabilities (~35%). Many things can serve as a trigger to those who have been in war and have symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This can range from the sound of fireworks to a pattern change in wallpaper. In studying the demographic of homeless veterans and creating a space veterans can finally call home, we have tailored design aesthetics to help them relax in a space that they can call their own, with people who care and understand what they have been through.
[page 1 of 2]
The project materials are stucco and corrugated metal so as to not surprise the residents with any unusual pattern or feature. All surfaces will be calming, and all plants will have relaxing smells with soothing colors so they will not catch the eye of a resident who thinks it may be a potential threat. In order to not remind the veterans of anything harsh from war, all paintings hung in the community spaces will incorporate the color teal (researched as the most healing color for those with PTSD) with no eccentric design. Open-cell foam will be used as insulation and GreenGlue between any cracks within the windows in order to increase the sound barriers between apartments and the exterior environment. In addition, carpets will be placed under the sofas to decrease ceiling noise for any residents below, while leaving the rest of the floor resilient to accomodate pets. Through well though out, respectable, and responsible architectural design, veterans can live a more comfortable and relaxed life within Sanctuary 6.
Sources: http://actionslo.org/2013/Folio3.pdf http://www.perkinswill.com/sites/default/files/PosttraumaticUnderstanding_2013.pdf http://www.core77.com/posts/21224/architecture-for- recovery-ideo- and-michael-graves-design-ahome-for- disabled-military- veterans-21224 http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/post-traumatic- stress-disorder http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/basics/symptoms_of_ptsd.asp
FIGURE 4.1: DESIGN MEETING WITH VETERANS AT THE SSVF OFFICE
||||||||||||| P.07