Displacement by Design - B. Godard

DISPLACEMENT

BY DESIGN BRIAN GODARD Boston Architectural College Master of Architecture December 17, 2021 Carl Koepcke Karen Nelson

TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page............................................................... 1 2

Table of Contents............................................... 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Biography..............................................................

5

Introduction......................................................... 6

Thesis Statement

Thesis Abstract Thesis Research.................................................. 10 Background Precedents

Fire Prevention

Building Materials Thesis Design....................................................... 28 Site Concept Design Conculsion............................................................ 44 Bibliography......................................................... 48

ABOUT MYSELF

BRIAN GODARD

Master of Architecture

Living and growing up in New England there was a huge amount of appreciation for both the nature and the historic architecture of the region. As I grew older I found myself very interested in drawing floor plans for homes in a notebook. This led me to start taking architectural courses as early as high school.

This early involvement led me to study architecture in college at Keene State College. The four-year program touch on many aspects of the field from drafting to sustainability. After those years passed it was time to further my knowledge at the Boston Architectural College and pursue my master’s degree.

Between working full time and taking three to four classes each semester, I had my hands full with balancing coursework. The two together allowed me to learn and apply all in one setting which was great to get this experience early on in my career. I now foresee many more floor plans to be drawn in my future.

BIOGRAPHY

3

INTRODUCTION 4

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

5

INTRODUCTION

6

THESIS ABSTRACT

As climate change become more prominent every year natural disasters tend to follow suit. Over the past decade wildfires have not only increased in quantity but also in area burned. As you can see every year is different in the acres burned but there is a clear increase over the past decade. In the past 4 years alone there have been approximately over 1.2 million people displaced from wildfires. Displacement can last from days to weeks to months, many of these people are forced to live in shelters and hotels. The fire disrupts their life significantly and is only meant for sleeping, no way to cook or feel at home.

Beginning with the residences those who have been displaced will have the opportunity to stay here and receive the same amenities that you would find in your home. Shelter and hotels do not provide all those amenities all in one location. This aspect of having these luxuries will allow those who need to stay on site longer the opportunity to cook for themselves or their families.

Then comes the supportive measures.

There will be buildings on site that will consist of different ways to help and or guide those who are struggling during their time of displacement. Ranging from therapeutic needs to future life planning if all has been lost. This measure brings a one-on-one opportunity to those seeking help during a time of chaos and distress.

7

INTRODUCTION

I plan to design a whole new concept that will help those who have been displcaed by wildfires and other natural disasters. This will mean creating a new typology of buildings that serve those who have been displaced by a wildfire to have a temporary home away from home. This idea will provide shelter and supportive measures to help them cope and have all the essential items of everyday living during their uncertain times away from their home.

THESIS RESEARCH 8

THESIS RESEARCH

THESIS RESEARCH

9

BACKGROUND

THESIS RESEARCH

10

Looking back at history wildfires have always been around, however they only now in recent years have been getting larger.

Both the quantity and acres burned have grown each causing hundreds of thousands of people each year to be displaced from their homes. In the past 4 years alone there have been an approximately over 1.2 million people displaced from wildfires.

So why are these wildfires getting worse and causing a lot more destruction and displacement? Well, there are numerous amounts of reasons why these fires keep getting worse.

MORE THAN 3,154,107 ACRES AS OF SEPT. 14

First climate change is the big factor, wildfire seasons are already 40 to 80 days longer on average than they were 30 years ago.35 Annual droughts are more pronounced, making it easier for fuels to dry out and fires to ignite and spread. Extreme weather events, marked by dry fuels, lightning storms, and strong winds, are also increasingly common and provide essential ingredients for rapid fire growth.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

EACH SQUARE EQUALS 50,000 ACRES

2015

2016

~ 4 0 0 K

~ 3 7 5 K

~ 3 7 5 K

~ 2 0 0 K

2017

2018

2019

2020

One of the most common causes of wildfires is burning debris.

When a person is burning large piles of waste, the wind can easily carry away stray embers. Such embers may float for several miles before fully extinguishing.

If they encounter dry vegetation or other flammable materials on their journey, a wildfire can quickly sprout up. Unextinguished cigarettes also cause a considerable number of wildfires each year. Unfortunately, many

people are extremely careless when it comes to discarding their cigarettes. While tossing a cigarette on the ground is already bad for the environment, this act becomes far more detrimental than a small piece of litter if the cigarette is still burning. A lit cigarette tossed out a car window or onto the ground could catch on dry vegetation and spark a massive wildfire.

Many wildfires aren’t just the result of careless actions people intentionally set them. Arson refers to the intentional and wrongful act of setting fires. Such behavior results in around a quarter of all wildfires that occur in the U.S. every year.36 While most wildfires result from human action, around 10 percent are the result of natural causes, wildfires may start as the result of lightning. Typically, this occurs in the case of unusually long-lasting lightning bolts or a lightning bolt that strikes particularly dry debris.

Unfortunately, these types of wildfires are unavoidable.

Wildfire Causes

11

THESIS RESEARCH

Each year, thousands of wildfires occur that destroy millions of acres of land and claim the lives of civilians and the wildland firefighters who bravely defend them. Many of these devastating blazes could be avoided and are predominantly the result of human carelessness. These fires start and grow based on three factors, heat, fuel, and oxygen.36 The heat can be any form of ember or extremely hot item. Bone dry vegetation can provide copious amounts of fuel for wildfires. The oxygen comes from the prevailing winds in the area36, California is known for their strong winds which help ignite and spread these wildfires over many acres.

Debris Burning

Electrical Power

Vehicle

Equipment Use

Arson

Lightning

Campfire

Playing with Fire Smoking

Misc.

Undetermined

THESIS RESEARCH

12

A large reason why fires are becoming larger than in years past is due to the lack of forest management. In the last century, fire suppression and exclusion practices have been predominant in fire-adapted places, creating hazardous and unhealthy conditions. This compounded by increasingly warm and dry conditions caused by climate change have caused forests to have grown dense, making them prone to fires. These crowded forests provide a ladder for flames to reach high into the tree top or crown and produce more intense blazes that are harder to manage. Additionally, buildup of fuels on the ground reduces fire and drought resiliency. In the absence of low-intensity and frequent burns, forests are less healthy, wildlife habitat is lost, and communities are threatened by the increased risk of major fire events.

On-the-ground forest restoration includes a variety of practices such as thinning smaller diameter trees and using controlled burns that reduce highly flammable fuels.37 Controlled burning, also called prescribed burning, is

a method of lighting a fire in a specific area after careful planning and under safe, controlled conditions. This method is a valuable tool for restoring healthy forests and preventing catastrophic future wildfires.

In other places, restoration may include reducing the density of trees and creating a network of openings in the forest canopy that was typical of many Idaho forests in the era before fire suppression.37 Such practices enable the continuity of the timber harvest industries that local communities depend on, while giving ponderosa pine and other fire-resistant trees more room to grow.

Air Pollution from Wildfires

13

THESIS RESEARCH

California fire experts estimate that the blazes that devastated Northern California’s wine country in October 2017 emitted as much CO2 in one week as all of California’s cars and trucks do over the course of a year.10 A recent study suggests that wildfires have been producing three times finer particles than what has been seen in the past which causes for more damage to be done to the air quality in the surrounding areas of these wildfires. The pollution not only makes the sky a dark grey but also creates major health problems for all people inhaling these particles.

Some of those aerosols can make the atmosphere more reflective. They block sunlight, which cools the atmosphere, like the effect attributed to emissions from volcanic eruptions. In general, the climate effect of aerosols is shortlived, lasting from a few months to a couple of years.

THESIS RESEARCH

14

Between early November and early December an encampment was formed for those fleeing their homes during the 2018 Camp Fire.

A vacant lot next to the Walmart store in nearby Chico became people’s homes for the coming days as the fire burned down their homes. The camp was in addition to motel room vouchers from FEMA and ten shelters established by the Red Cross and churches to house evacuees. Over a hundred people had become ill with norovirus at the shelters due to poor hygiene in overcrowded centers prompting many to camp outdoors.14 Volunteers from across the region came to the support of those living in this encampment, they provided services for food, shelter, and sanitation. These fire refugees would now refer to their camp as ‘Wallywood.’ Recovery efforts included supporting the mental health of Camp Fire victims, particularly the youth. Some former residents reported survivor guilt, troubling dreams, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress.14 To ease the stress on fire victims, several people brought therapy dogs from the Butte Humane Society’s Animal Assisted Wellness program.

One in every ten wildfires will see at least one house lost, which equates to a one and three thousand chance of a single person losing their homes from a fire. Most people who are affected by these fires live in the more mountainous regions where the age range can start at young adults to the small families and then to the elderly.

So where do these people go who have been displaced from their homes? Some go to nearby family or friends, people who don’t have that option end up in hotels, then once hotels are filled people resort to emergency shelters.

EFFECTED POPULATION OF WILDFIRE

WHERE DO THEY GO?

ELDERLY AGES: 60+

FAMILIES SIZE: 3-6

FAMILY / FRIENDS 15

YOUNG ADULTS AGES: 20-40

1:3000 HOUSES BURN DOWN

HOTELS / MOTELS

EMERGENCY SHELTER

THESIS RESEARCH

Demographics

1:10 WILDFIRES DESTROY HOMES

PRECEDENTS The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, and the most expensive natural disaster in the world in 2018 in terms of insured losses.14 Named after Camp Creek Road, its place of origin, the fire started on Thursday, November 8, 2018, in Northern California’s Butte County. Ignited by a faulty electric transmission line. During this time California was going through a drought, the town of Paradise, CA which typically sees five inches of autumn rain by November 12, had only received one-seventh of an inch by that date in 2018. The Camp Fire was initially fueled by dry grass amid sparse pine and oak woodlands. Ten of the twenty most destructive fires in California, in terms of structures destroyed, happened in the last four years, according to Cal Fire.17 Eight of them happened within the last two years.

THESIS RESEARCH

16

WARNING EVACUATION

WILDFIRE OCCURS

PERSONAL

FUTURE

DISTRESS

WILDFIRE EXPERIENCE

DISPLACEMENT

SUPPORT

RESIDENCES

The personal experience of someone living near an active wildfire is an emotional rollercoaster. As a fire starts and approaches a city or town there may be an evacuation warning. These warnings can then be elevated to an evacuation which causes distress and panic of those living in the area. Now they are displaced and looking for shelter.

The Camp Fire cleanup became the largest hazardous material cleanup in state history.14 Due to the number of hours required to clean up the town of approximately 30,000 people and surrounding rural metro region of an additional 3,000 people, the upcoming task of cleaning seemed infeasible. Winter rains began at the end of the Camp Fire and as a result, lead to the hazardous contaminants of buildings and debris to soak into the ground and run into waterways which raised concerns for the drinking water.

The first two building permits were reissued for Paradise after almost five months on March 28, 2019.14 Local governmental officials intend to promote rebuilding with higher standards for fire-resistant construction and upgraded infrastructure.

17

THESIS RESEARCH

In the town of Paradise, CA they were able to have a successful evacuation of nearly the entire town before the fire hit. First responders had issues responding to calls as the insufficient number of cell phone repeater towers were destroyed already.

Only two dispatchers were on duty to field thousands of calls to 911. Fire resources were stretched as the fire began on the same day as the Woolsey Fire and the Hill Fire in Southern California; required on the Camp Fire alone the equivalent of the entire 6,000 Cal Fire full-time fire professionals and both fires pulled resources from 17 states to respond.14 At the peak of deployment there were in total about 5,596 firefighters (770 of these were prisoners), 622 engines, 75 water tenders, 101 fire crews, 103 bulldozers, 24 helicopters carrying 600 gallon buckets, and 12 fixed-wing aircraft on the Fireline.14

NYC Emergency Housing Prototype Garrison Architects New York, New York

THESIS RESEARCH

18

New York City built and tested a post-disaster housing prototype for residents who may lose their homes as the result of a disaster. Through the Urban Post-Disaster Housing Prototype Program, the city created a multi-story, multi-family interim housing solution that will work in urban areas across the country. It is used after emergency sheltering, and before those affected by a disaster can move into housing, they can sustain without post-disaster aid. The Urban Post-Disaster Housing Prototype Program extends the City’s Coastal Storm Plan and constitutes a critical step in New York City’s effort to plan for long-term housing recovery after a catastrophic disaster.38 These resources can be adapted to suit any city in the country. The prototype is a three-story structure with two, three-bedroom units and one, one-bedroom unit. The unit on the ground floor has served as a public gallery with information about the project.

This project relates back to what my efforts will be on the west coast. The solution is to provide housing for those affected by this unforeseen disaster while providing amenities that emergency shelters and hotels can’t offer. The ability to prefabricate and set up these units help with mobilization and quick set up on site to get people immediate shelter. The townhouse like design allows for multiple people or families to be stacked into a smaller area but also being spacious and independent enough to not feel crowded with other people around.

Patient Hotel 3XN Denmark

Although this precedent is a clinic for those seeking treatment the underlying principle relates very similarly to what my thesis is trying to accomplish. Offering a place to stay for those seeking treatment or in my case a place to stay during a time of need/ displacement. Since there is no administration part of my design, that can be switched out with the support efforts but have that be implemented into a different building. This will allow for the overall structure to have a more residential feel to it instead of healthcare or commercial aspect.

19

THESIS RESEARCH

The Patient Hotel offers 74 rooms on the three lower floors, while administrative offices comprise floors three to six. The building appears as two stacked, V’s. This form establishes a clear visual separation between the two programmatic functions which are the Patient Hotel and the hospital administration. “We have designed a building with these open atria to offer good visual contact, instead of the closed corridors usually associated with hospitals,” said Kim Herforth Nielsen, 3XN Creative Director and Founder. “In addition, we ensured that ample daylight and warm materials and colors create a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere, which serves as a comforting environment during a difficult period.”34 The Patient Hotel offers tranquility, the opportunity to organize the day as you wish and to have some privacy or use public areas. For patients undergoing long-term treatment, the hotel can be a welcome break outside the clinical hospital environment.

THESIS RESEARCH

20

FIRE PREVENTION

Building materials and its special properties may be the deciding factor if a structure will burn down or not. Fire retardant treating creates a chemical barrier that restricts the flame spread along the wood. The preservative is not just on the wood surface, but infused deep into the wood to provide durable, safe, and long-lasting protection. The treating process utilizes pressure that forces the fire retardant into the wood fiber. Even when pressure treated, wood is a more sustainable construction material to choose when compared against non-renewable materials. Recent life cycle assessments have found that pressure treated wood framing uses less energy, fossil fuels, and water than galvanized steel framing.29

Zone 2. 5-30 feet. Lean and green zone. The goal is to reduce the intensity of the fire and potential for ember generation from the landscape. Trees and taller vegetation should be well-maintained separated from the house and each other. Remove vegetation under trees to prevent fire from climbing to the top of the trees. Prune mature trees up to 6-10 feet from the ground. Landscaping in this area should include low growing, open structured, less resinous, higher moisture content plants.22 Zone 3. 30-100 feet or property line. Reduced fuel zone. The goal is to interrupt the fire and keep flames on the ground. Remove or dispose of tree needles or leaves, remove dead trees, thin out small trees and shrubs creating islands of vegetation, limb and prune mature trees up to 6-10 feet. Thin mature trees so that canopies do not touch.22

21

THESIS RESEARCH

Zone 1. 0-5 feet. This is highest priority zone. Start with the house and work outwards by creating a 5-feet wide noncombustible zone around the entire house (and under the deck) to reduce the potential for an ignition by wind-blown embers. If ignited, these materials will result in a direct flame contact to the house. Use hardscape (pavers or crushed rock), maintained lawn, or low-cut grass. Cut tree branches that overhang the house.22

BUILDING MATERIALS

THESIS RESEARCH

22

There are many homes built with fireproof/retardant materials such as stucco, face brick, tile, adobe, concrete block, or metal siding can be designed in any architectural style that a homeowner can think of. Special attention will need to give to: overhangs of roofs such like soffits, balconies, decks, and underfloor areas as flames can get trapped in these locations and temperatures will be the highest.

Provide double layers of protection and structural integrity here. If you have a particularly severe exposure, your architect can design a firewall, a more technical solution sometimes used in large urban buildings.28 Stucco is a plaster that has been used for centuries for both artistic and structural purposes. Modern stucco is made of Portland cement, sand and lime, and it serves as an excellent and durable fire-resistant finish material for buildings.23 It can cover any structural material, such as brick or wood. It usually consists of two or three coats over metal reinforcing mesh. A one-inch layer of stucco can easily lend a 1-hour fire rating to a wall.

Roofs may be the most vulnerable building component of a house that a wildfire can encounter as they are large horizontal surfaces. Different materials can provide various ratings of time before collapse. Homes with wood or shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire. Build your roof or re-roof with materials such as composition, metal, or tile.21 Roofing materials such like Spanish tiles can form cracks and openings that make it easy for the wind to drive brands and embers inside your attic. You can fire-stop individual tiles in an existing roof, but for new roofs choose tiles or other fire rated roofing materials that are designed to interlock tightly and are installed over a fire-resistant cap sheet.28 The job of the roof is to protect the house from sun, rain, and during

Windows are easily the weakest link in protecting your home from a fire, but there are clever ways to protect them. Radiant heat alone from the fire can shatter glass or ignite combustibles inside your living room, without the flames reaching your house. Single glazing is particularly vulnerable; a better choice is double glazing with tempered glass on the exterior. However, the safest solution are roll-down metal fire doors built into the roof overhangs or side recesses and released automatically by fusible links.28 These metal fire doors will protect windows and sliding glass doors even if they are left standing open. Fold-down panels or shutters on sloped rails can also be designed to close and latch automatically. For non-operable windows, there are many kinds of wire glass or fire safety glass that holds together even though cracked by the heat.

Traditional wood doors are most common in homes from either front entry or a back/side door. There are other options when it comes to doors such like a solid core wood door are usually rated at 20 minutes of fire protection, but instead for extra safety consider a metal core door that can be faced in any material you like, and for added safety use a metal jamb.28 Garage doors are especially dangerous, when picking a new door consider a metal panel door with an automatic fusible link closure.

Houses have lots of other holes in them that need to be protected. Large vents in the attics and under-floors, that are so essential for comfort in Southern California homes, can be protected by fire dampers with fusible links like those built into the heating ducts of all large public buildings. An alternative is the code minimum of ¼” metal wire screens, but some experts recommend even tighter mesh.28 Vents for bathrooms, dryers and kitchens should have automatic back-draft dampers and fire-rated assemblies where they penetrate the exterior skin of your building. All metal sleeves and hoods should cover plastic plumbing vents where they penetrate your roof. Continuous roof ridge and soffit vents are very effective as attic ventilators, which makes them extremely difficult to protect from wind-driven sparks and embers. Cover all vent openings with 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn.

Use Ember and flame-resistant vents.21

23

THESIS RESEARCH

fire, from embers. Complex roofs, where the roof meets vertical walls and/or includes dormers present additional vulnerabilities as valleys are a good spot for debris to form. Use materials with a Class A fire rating. Carefully follow the manufacturers installation instructions because some roof coverings need additional protection to meet the Class A requirements. Common Class A fire-rated materials include asphalt composition shingles, tile, and steel.22 Plug gaps between the roof covering and sheathing and maintain your roof and replace when necessary.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

THESIS RESEARCH

24

Wildfires are a part of nature. Some are deadlier than others, but they all play a role in shaping certain ecosystems. The burning process of these fires serve as an agent of renewal and change, this allows for dead trees and vegetation to parish and allow new life to regrow in its spot. Although they may serve some beneficial purposes, they are also very destructive. These larger scale wildfires can destroy homes, wildlife habitats and vegetation. As these fires burn, they are constantly polluting the air that we breath and can be harmful to human health. Not only is it bad for those close to the fire but these air pollutants can travel thousands of miles and affect millions of people. Wildfires also releases carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. These fires effect the landscape, in some cases it can be short term, but the damages can also be long lasting.7 Both climate change and the accumulation of overgrown vegetation from a century of fire exclusion has resulted in hotter and more destructive wildfires. The effect of the extreme hot fires on forest recovery starts with the soil, which subsequently is what keeps trees, plants, and animals alive.

When forests burn, large amounts of smoke are released into the atmosphere. This smoke is made up of a complex combination of gasses, microscopic particles, and water vapor.12 The air pollution from these wildfires can travel great distances and oftentimes may pose an immediate threat to those hundreds of miles away from the fire itself. The particles traveling by air are so small that our bodies have a difficult time filtering them out of our body and airways. They have the potential to lodge themselves deep into our lungs and can compromise anyone’s breathing which could stress the heart. People with underlying heath issues related to the lungs are at the highest risk of health problems during a wildfire.

Additionally, wildfires produce an increased amount of carbon monoxide, which too can lead to a variety of health implications.12 During a wildfire, smoke can make the outdoor air quality unhealthy to breathe. Local officials may advise to stay indoors during a large wildfire due to toxic smoke that you could breathe in if exposed for too long. Being aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make it unhealthy to breathe indoor air as well. Wildfire smoke can be extremely harmful to the lungs, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, COPD and bronchitis or a chronic heart disease or diabetes.

Water Quality

Not only do wildfires effect the air quality, it also can affect the physical, chemical, and biological quality of bodies of water such like streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. These changes are noticeable for years and even potentially decades after the wildfire happened. The first and greatest impact of wildfires is a significant increase in stormwater runoff. With the loss of vegetation during a wildfire, the soil becomes hydrophobic.12 Pre wildfire scenario the life of plants can slow precipitation down once it hits the landscape and lets it gradually seep into the ground. After a fire, foliage-free soil does not absorb water easily. These burn scars increase runoff and provide a pathway for the transport of debris and sediment to rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Smoke and ash can contaminate a large portion of a town’s drinking-water.13 Burned areas are even more

prone to greater rates of erosion, which leads to the accumulation of downstream sediment buildup in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. This increases the potential impacts from past, current, and future wildfires on the quantity and quality of water in the area. Wildfires can compromise water quality both during active burning, and for months and years after the fire has been contained.

Benefits

Although wildfires leave an immense amount of destruction in their path, they do leave behind some beneficial qualities too.

Many plants require regular burns to spread seeds and survive.

Fires can also kill diseases and insects that may be affecting the livelihood of plants while also removing excessive debris from the forest floor and allow more access to the nutrients provided by exposed sunlight. Low intensity fires clear underbrush and prevent the damage of future fires from spreading. After a wildfire, new grasslands are created and allow grazing animals to benefit from the change. This increase in the natural order of species allows a change in ecology that promotes growth and the continual cycle of life. Vegetation like the fireweed, requires the disturbance of fire to bloom and permit the regrowth of plants that have perished due to the fire.

As plants and vegetation die away, new life begins to heal and spring forth.13

25

THESIS RESEARCH

Air Quality

THESIS DESIGN 26

THESIS DESIGN

THESIS DESIGN

27

DENSITY OF CALIFORNIA COMPARED TO WILDFIRE THREAT LEVEL FIRE DANGER TIER 2 ELEVATED FIRE DANGER TIER 3 EXTREME WILDFIRE LOCATIONS

THESIS DESIGN

28

MAJOR CITIES

SITE When selecting a site in California I had to keep in mind the areas that are prone to wildfires, I did not want people who have been displaced to be forced to pick up and move again. I first started looking at what areas had fire danger and which areas did not.

There are two different tiers of wildfires dangers, tier 2 and tier 3 designating elevated risk or extreme risk of potential fires. Although in my studies I found that in central California there is a large zone where wildfires are hard to come by which would make for a great starting point in selecting a site. This area of California is predominately made up of agriculture which makes it hard for a fire to start due to it being irrigated. This would mean vegetation would be limited and would allow for proper spacing of trees and shrubs to make sure the landscape can be attractive but also keep buildings safe from anything spreading towards it. Some of the major cities that fall within this dead zone of wildfires are Sacramento, Chico, Stockton, Fresno, Redding, and Bakersfield. These locations would be suitable for a potential site location for a disaster relief shelter like I am proposing. Most of these cities are directly at the bottom of the foothills which allow for quick access from the areas being affected by these fires. These cities will allow those coming into them to not be completely displaced from their original community.

P AM

FI RE EX TE NT S

SITE

20 18 C

SITE

AM PF IRE EX

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THESIS DESIGN

Amenities like groceries and shopping will not be located directly on this site but are within a close driving proximity so that people are still able to go get essentials during their time of displacement. Downtown Chico is about a 5-minute drive from the site with many different stores and amenities that these people will need to get by for the coming days, weeks or months ahead of them as they wait out the burning wildfire.

PARADISE,CA CHICO,CA

C 18 20

Narrowing into a more specific region of California I focused in on an area that is just south of Chico. Where this site is located is right off one of the main evacuation routes for those fleeing the fire in the mountains which allows the site to be easily accessed for the many living in the foothills. The site has a large and vast area that can be used for expansion as it is a wideopen range. Which this also allows for the strategic spacing and planting of vegetation to make these people feel more at home. With the site not being directly in the downtown city of Chico it still has the touch of isolation that these people from the foothills are accustomed to, as placing them in a city center would be different as they most likely left these cities to a more isolated town for a reason. Now this site is close to the fire line of the 2018 campfire that destroyed the town of Paradise, however with the proper planning this site has the possibility of being untouched by any future wildfires.

THESIS DESIGN 30

Skyway road is one of the main routes up and down the mountain, this road leads up to cities like Paradise, Lovelock and Stirling City. These are cities that are within the elevated or extreme risk areas of potential wildfires, which makes sense for having this site located at the base of the mountain for ease of access. This same road leads right into the city of Chico which has multiple spots for food and groceries.

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THESIS DESIGN

The site selected is about 550 acres of pastureland currently which would be redeveloped into a sustainable community for those who have been pushed from their homes due to a wildfire. The wide-open vista will offer up many different opportunities of expansion when fires become what is known as a mega fire which can displace thousands of people at a time. While the site is used for pastureland currently that means that this site would be isolated from other people and shouldn’t cause disturbance to those who have already settled into the city.

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN RESIDENCES ꙱ Townhouses 32

꙱ Housing around 16 people per townhouse

꙱ Apartments ꙱ Family oriented ꙱ Home away from home ꙱ Large fenestration

꙱ Apartments house 50 people per floor ꙱ Internal gathering points

THESIS DESIGN

꙱ Mountain modern style

SUPPORT ꙱ Office space

꙱ Financial Planner

꙱ Meeting rooms

꙱ Life coach

꙱ Advisors

꙱ Therapist

This concepts needs to address two main points, first is the programming of the community. This would consist of the residences and the support buildings. These two programmatic ideas are what makes this type of community better than any other system that is provided for those who are displaced from a natural disaster. Beginning with the residences there will be two types of buildings, the townhouse, and an apartment type structure. The townhouse will provide shelter for families who would like their own space during their time of displacement. Then there will be the apartments, this would house about one or two individuals per room as they may not need as much space say as a family. The two options comfort the range of people who may be affected by a wildfire during the year.

Many of those displaced by fires need a variety of supportive services as well. Support buildings will be placed in groups throughout the site to allow those struggling through this trauma to get help. Some of the types of supportive measures to be implemented are economic advisors for those who may lose everything, therapists for those who may have had a traumatic experience due to the sudden evacuation or the devastation of losing a home or loved one, and a life planner to help figure out next steps for those who need to rebuild or relocate.

SUSTA

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HEALTH EFFECTS

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TRE A

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HOME

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NOMICA CO

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SUPPORT SYSTEM

LANNIN EP

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HOUSING DEMAND

LIF

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CAPA

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TOW

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KIT OF PARTS

DESIGN CHARACTER

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THESIS DESIGN

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PROGRAM SPACES

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As these elements come together, they will ultimately begin to formulate a one of kind sanctuary for those who have been displaced by a wildfire or natural disaster. Allowing them to keep their everyday amenities inside to keep them moving forward in their time of need and uncertainty.

RTMENT PA

APE FEA SC

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More in depth these buildings will also be functioning to the highest degree sustainably. Making sure that these people have healthy living conditions while they are displaced. Systems incorporated into each structure will include a forced hot air HVAC system that will assist in filtering out all particles and pathogens that could potentially enter the building. The filtration to be used would be that rated with a MERV-13 filter which is top of the line for residences. This will enforce healthier air quality inside.

MUNIT OM

Y

Now that the concepts program has been figured out it was important to figure out what else had to go into this project to make it more unique. The housing demand that is caused by a sudden evacuation of people is the next big-ticket item and how this concept can address it. When cities or towns are in a mandatory evacuation it can lead to a climb in population for certain nearby cities. While some cities have the housing for this some do not. Being able to accommodate for hundreds to even thousands of people instantly, that is why with a large plot of land this site can take that task head on while also making it not feel as foreign based on the design character. Which is the next key point. These buildings will need to be modern so that they can be implemented anywhere but also be able to incorporate materials and scenic moments that can be like where those displaced are coming from. This will make for the sense of home away from home.

ROADWAYS

GATHERING POINTS

ISOLATED RESIDENCES 34

As someone moves back further into the site having a branch like system of circulation for roadways will act as a similarity to how mountainous communities are designed as roads hug the sides of the hills and mountains. Then having the residences isolated in the back of the site for less noise from the main entry and to keep a similar feel to the original communities those fleeing are coming from.

THESIS DESIGN

RESIDENCES

TRANSITION

Planning out the site came down to four areas, the gathering points for socialization, the residences for where these people will be sleeping, a transition plenum and the landscape. As people would enter a site, they would be greeted with a large area of landscape which would also incorporate internal gathering points for larger gathering. Then centrally locate a source of water that could also act as a recreational area for walking, jogging, or fishing. It is important to have many different points of recreation as there will be many families here that may or may not know each other, gatherings may be large or small but accommodating for both will be important.

BRANCHING CIRCULATION

LANDSCAPE

ENTRY TRANSITION

The transition space acts as noise canceler for cars or noises passing by the main road headed up or down the mountainside.

This aspect alone connects back to why these people are living in these areas and not staying in a busy city center. Communities up in the foothills are very isolated compared to a dense city center. While planning out the site I wanted to make sure that I kept that same feel of isolation to these people. Spacing the site properly had to be managed so that the townhouses weren’t close enough together to make them feel on top of each other but spaced out far enough to allow for private areas of gathering within neighborhoods.

Although the site is sketched within these boundaries it would be important to keep these lines continuous out to the perimeter in case an expansion is needed. As the years go by wildfires could continue to get worse and displace more and more people each year but being able to flex with that variable will be important to be able to keep up with that housing demand aspect of the program.

There will be plenty of spaces for gathering within each community while also in the transition area towards the front of the site while also the large body of water can assist firefighters on the front line trying to contain the fire that these people are fleeing from.

35

THESIS DESIGN

Through multiple iterations of sketching out a site plan I finally landed on a layout that accomplished all the goals I was trying to achieve. Through my design I found out that I didn’t want these neighborhoods to feel to much like an encampment but more like a typical community you would see settled in the hills.

Lots of roads that were straight ended up curving to give it the freer form look and to relate back to the foothills while adding in plenty of vegetation to give the entire site a more isolated and tucked away feeling like the communities these people are coming from.

DESIGN

THESIS DESIGN

36

The concept lead me to plan out an entire site with scattered townhouses spread throughout to achieve a neighborhood but also isolated invironment from the host town or city. Each branch of the community forms its own internal community as it can be used by people from the same town or region. Some of these branches are capped off with a cul-de-sac which promotes a more social atmosphere for those who are all going through the same scenario.

Although many of these townhouses may not be filled it can become a housing prospect for firefighters who are fighting the same fire that these civilians have fled from. Firefighters work long hours to fight these fires and don’t go home for their time off. This type of living can provide accommodations for not only the firefighter themselves but can also provide for their families if they wanted to make the trip with them as well.

The overall goal of this idea and the branching of neighborhoods is to provide comfort and protection for those displaced. While providing everyday amenities to these people as they wait out the fire for the coming days to weeks. It also allows for supportive measures to be in place so that anyone can get treated mentally or physically while also getting advice economically or future planning.

These types of supportive measures are not offered at any other refuge system we have for those experiencing or have experienced a natural disaster.

B

Site Plan / Sections

As mentioned before there will be a cul-de-sac that creates a small community within these branching neighborhoods that allow for close internal support between those who have been displaced by a fire.

B

A

37

A

Section A:A

Section B:B

THESIS DESIGN

The site will transition from the main road which in this case is Skyway Road, and then move into a more recreational area to buffer noise and traffic from the residences. This buffer area will have a large water retention area which can be used as a refill station for those fighting the fires on the front line. This transition area will mostly be used as a point of exterior gathering, this offers a secondary place to socialize outside of the residences as seen in section A:A. There will also be meandering walking paths in and around the water retention pond.

The townhouses will make up most of the buildings on site as many people who have been displaced are families and elderly. There will be three different types of groupings of these townhouses, one set grouping of two, another set grouping of four and finally a grouping of six. The first floor of a single townhouse can house one or two people, while the second and third floors can house three to six people each. This allows for small and large families all to be together under the same roof and provided with everyday living supplies like a kitchen, living room and dining room. For those who may need to stay longer it was important to make sure that they had exterior space attached to the building in the form of patios and decks.

Grouping of 2 38

THESIS DESIGN

WH

WH

WH

WH

Grouping of 4

WH

WH

WH

WH

Grouping of 6

WH

WH

These buildings will be outfitted with top-of-the-line building materials to mitigate any future structure fire while also keeping that material choices like what they would see back home. That is why each home will be a mass timber structure while its skin will be fiber cement which is rated in class 1A. This is the highest rating you can get when it comes to selecting materials.

While the fiber cement is more of a new wave material its look simulates a similar texture to what materials you would see in these mountainous regions.

These buildings can act as both short- and longterm residences as every person’s situation is different. Depending on how long a wildfire may last some people may stay on site for a short period of time whereas others may be there for months. If someone happens to be on site for a short duration a connection may not be made unlike those who may be displaced for weeks to months. But, for those who have been displaced long term, the structures will continuously be a home for them until they move onto their next home.

39

THESIS DESIGN

One key component of these townhouses are the patios that lead someone into their temporary residence. These patios are meant to be a form of activation that promotes socialization between the people within one structure or the entire grouping.

One big benefit of grouping these residences is the internal support between all the people that are experiencing the same kind of trauma of not knowing what is happening back home. Being there for one another will become a big part in these people’s days as they wait for the fire to be contained to then be able to return home or face the fact of relocation or rebuilding.

Perspective

THESIS DESIGN

40

The transition from the main roads to the back of the site towards the residences will have a park feeling so larger gatherings can take place. This will also activate people to get out of their temporary homes and to not be couped up in one spot for their duration of displacement. Walking paths will be implemented into this transitional space to act as a form of recreation for those wanting to get out of their homes. With large open space this will create many opportunities for people to gather and socialize and be there for one another. Some people that have fled their homes have pets, so incorporating an area so that dogs can have a place to run around and meet other people and their pets as well will be added to some of these large openings.

Not only will this transition act as a area of gathering but also as barrier from noise and other disturbances.

Many of these noises will end up coming from the main roadway or a nearby development. The barrier will make the further back regions of the site seem more isolated to connect back to where these people have come from.

Perspective

The most important aspect during a time of need is security and support, being there for each other or having professionals there to assist someone will be crucial during their time of uncertainty and displacement. The neighborhoods will be seen as a similar scene from where those fleeing a fire are from, this draws a connection back to creating a home away from home for these people. As all these programs are tied together it creates a strong bond and forms this unique instance of helping those people in need and making sure they don’t feel any less than what they are coming from.

41

THESIS DESIGN

This large site will be able to accommodate hundreds to possibly thousands of people at a time with room for expansion. The way that the community will be set up will allow for socialization and support all mixed into one area. Throughout the site plantings and vegetation will be properly spaced to act as visual barriers from one area to another.

While not only acting as a barrier it will provide a sense of education for how trees and lawncare can be strategized so that future fires don’t have the capability of taking all of someone’s belongings.

CONCLUSION 42

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

43

CONCLUSION

44

As we look back at everything that has been presented, this type of housing solution for those displaced by wildfires needs to happen. Wildfires are not going away anytime soon and are soon to become a year-round occurrence with how climate change is affecting our planet.

Not only has the number of fires gone up but the size of them has increased as well. They already either temporarily and permanently displace people forcing them into hotels or emergency shelters which can be unaccommodating to many.

As you or someone you know is pushed from their house due to a wildfire, we can now have this site and conceptual idea to rely on since wildfires have become a yearly occurrence and can affect hundreds of thousands of people each year throughout California. This will be a lasting cycle of displaced people which is why we cannot allow them to spend weeks to months in emergency shelters or tents and these residences can solve that issue and give them more support than any other displacement system we currently have.

Throughout my research I have still yet to find another programmatic concept that offers these types of amenities between the residences and the support all in one location for those who have been displaced. This allows the conceptual idea to stand apart from the lesser and become a true sanctuary for those seeking help.

The addition of the support teams that will be implemented onsite will allow those struggling to get help immediately and not be forced to deal with their loss or confusion. This element of the concept is next level and is not offered by any other relief program we currently have that is all located into one site. Overall, between all the elements that are being put into this concept this typology needs to happen for all those who have been displaced by a wildfire or even a natural disaster across the country or globe.

45

CONCLUSION

Through the research that I have conducted, many people living in the foothills of California will end up being a victim of a wildfire. They will ultimately need someplace to stay during their time away from home.

Emergency shelters will get crowded and will not have the everyday amenities we are accustomed to at home, and hotels are meant for short stays and still don’t have the cooking essentials people need to provide for themselves or their families. These residences will allow all the everyday amenities to be with these people and not be forced to share a shelter with hundreds of other people at a single time.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 46

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DISPLACEMENT BY DESIGN BRIAN GODARD

Boston Architectural College Master of Architecture December 2021 Carl Koepcke Karen Nelson