Redefine dossier by Bukola Bankole

REDEFINE 2013

REDEFINE 2013

Homeless Youth Center Project By: Bukola Bankole

CONTENTS ZONING / SPACE PLANNING BIG IDEA

THE DESIGN BRIEF/ CLIENT

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

CONCLUSION

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Imagine you are 1 of over 2,000,000 youths who experience homelessness each year.

There are currently more than two million youths dealing with homelessness each year most forced from their homes due to circumstances beyond their control. Some manage to make it through school but others are less fortunate, resorting to begging or prostitution just to survive.

Homeless kids have different needs than homeless adults - they haven’t even had a chance to live their lives yet. This project was triggered by Eva’s national initiatives program in Canada, they created a means of formal evaluation of the youth homelessness in Canada. This evaluation was conducted by independent consultants in 2003, they used both quantitative and qualitative measures to assess the effectiveness of the current shelters and suggested that more schemes need to be set up to help youth achieve self-sufficiency and leave the welfare system.

Think of the best time of your life. Were you alone?

What were you doing? You had a sense of purpose.

You had something or someone to care about.

The worst time is when you lose these things.

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It is more than a hostel or homeless shelter for the night, it is looking to help the whole person and not just their problems.

THE BIG IDEA

The Redefine Centre is for homeless youths aged 16-24, it will offer housing, activities and training to help improve the self-esteem, mental health and employment prospects of its service users. It will be a program that understands, and accommodates the needs of its users and addresses youth homelessness from a service delivery perspective.

The idea of the Redefine Centre is in hopes that, as a culture, we will start viewing people who are ‘homeless’ as people who have a contribution to play in our society. the initiative will get people their life back and provide homeless and at-risk youth with the opportunities needed to develop life skills, build careers and live independently.

PROJECT RATIONALE

This housing facility will be a key housing milestone for male youth facing homelessness and could help them escape the stigma of being in a traditional hostel. Therefore just changing a name - from hostel to life house - is a step towards solving the problem of social exclusion.

Focusing on the potentials of these young people means the programme will offer a more tailored support system which will provide an “actively engaging launching pad� especially for those youths who tend to avoid encampments and traditional shelters.

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Doing this at an early stage will avert the degeneration spiral that produces chronically homeless or violent adults who become a drain on social services for decades to come.

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WHY BOYS?

For many of these young people, living in unstable and unsafe conditions has been the only life they have known.This housing facility will be a key housing milestone for male and female youth facing homelessness and could help them escape the stigma of being in a traditional hostel. Therefore just changing a name from hostel to life house - is a step towards solving the problem of social exclusion.

This initiative will create an environment that reaches out to its service users to socialise, stabilize and have access to the skill and entrepreneurial development they need to move on in their lives.

THE CLIENT Joining forces with Virgin Unite and their RE*Generation partner will make Londoners more aware of youth homelessness and can help raise the funds to go towards providing services and programs that create positive opportunities for at-risk and homeless youth in London.

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I believe that putting a roof over someone’s head is useful, but not the solution.

The idea of the Redefine Centre is in hopes that, as a culture, we will start viewing people who are ‘homeless’ as people who have a contribution to play in our society.

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As a whole the Virgin brand — in any industry — is known for shaking things up. Richard Branson loves doing things that everyone else says shouldn’t or couldn’t be done.

He takes chances. When it’s all done (usually with great success), everyone looks back and admires Virgin’s unique flair. It’s a stylish and appealing combination of courage and cunning that reflects the man behind the brand.

I did a general research on Richard Branson and the Virgin group to try to get a glimpse of his personality and expectations as a client.”Screw It, Let’s Do It” is one of Richard’s favourite sayings.

In the book of the same name he reveals the lessons that have helped him “transform” his business and personal life.

THE BRIEF You have been instructed to create a scheme for the Redesign youth centre in London.This project is sponsored by Richard Branson as part of the Virgin unite and regeneration initiative. You are expected to adapt the space to suit the daily lives of resident youths aged 16 - 24 so that they can comfortably live and fit into this new model of inspirational living that the initiative stands for.

Your design would be a model for the redefine youth housing initiative. As such the layout of the building should be designed to promote a sense of community while providing individual home spaces in a youth-friendly environment.

We require bedroom units where occupants can share community space and eating areas, as well as in the living and recreational areas. Therefore, your research should show an exploration of key areas of youth accommodation and small space solutions.

In keeping with the virgin heritage, your design should reflect the company values by being meaningful, relevant and sensitive to the environment, while providing intuitive ease of use. Your idea should take on Richards screw it, lets do it! motto and from here develop a conceptual direction for your design proposal. Richard is open to new ideas and suggestions and is particularly interested in how your design can potentially influence the kids in a way that will support his vision to provide a much-needed residential facility that improves the lives of young people who need it the most and for years to come.

Along with the general considerations listed, it is imperative to conduct your own further research to ensure the design solution works well. Carefully consider how you will illustrate conceptual and design development as well as explicitly evidencing the research, analysis and synthesis of your ideas. live independently through goal setting exercises, workshops General Considerations: and hands-on programs that are delivered in a supportive 1/3 of the space is to be used for support services such as: environment.

Front desk / reception to house storage for stationery and Mentorship Program registration documents.

Peer Mentors and One-to-One Mentors provide a range of A coffee shop or communal area that caters for casual eating support to youth. and drinking, and Staff support, cleaning and laundry.

Training and Motivational Entrepreneural Programs Your proposal must include ideas for the design of these areas Youth living The Redefine House will be involved in a and their location must be indicated on a plan. You should compulsory training or employment program. This will be also illustrate how your design considers this. open to a maximum of 20 youth. It is a unique, collaborative program focused on capacity building and network This centre is funded by charity while Richard bears the development aimed at reducing youth homelessness in UK. overhead cost so consider carefully the materials you specify & the process of construction/manufacture.

You are to consider the variety of activities held at the centre,and illustrate how your design caters for these spatial needs.We will be running the following activities all year round:

Redefine Job centre This is an extension of the training program linking atrisk youth who have completed the programme with employment opportunities that will assist them to get their “foot in the door� to a career of their choice.

Housing Program Youth at REDefine Centre will live in shared student accommodation-style units with access to common areas.

While at the centre,we want youths to develop the skills to

Along with the general considerations listed, it is imperative to conduct your own further research to ensure the design solution works well. Carefully consider how you will illustrate conceptual and design development as well as explicitly

ACTION PLAN The focus of the design will be to provide a design solution that will enable smooth living cycle by maximizing the use of the limited space at a reasonable cost. I am interested in discovering practical solutions for challenges common with hostel accommodation.

SMALL SPACES SPACE PLANNING MATERIALS YOUTH HOUSING

MIND MAPS

UNITE-MAKE A DIFFERENCE- CHANGER E D E F I N E - N E W - F R E S H - I N N O VAT I V E REDESIGN- REINVENT- REDISCOVER- RENEWAWAKE- ARISE- INITIATE- START-AFRESH-NEWUNIQUE- HYBRID- OPPORTUNITY- STAND OUTDO NOT CONFORM- REBEL STAND UPEMPOWER

UNITE-MAKE A DIFFERENCECHANGEREDEFINE- NEW- FRESH- DREAMINNOVATIVE- DESIGN- SHAPE- INVENT- EXPLORE CREATE- EXPRESS - REDISCOVER- RENEW- AWAKEARISE- INITIATE- START-AFRESH-POTENTIAL-NEWUNIQUE-.

REDefine Youth Centre for Boys

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THOUGHTS+ DEVELOPMENT= CONCEPT

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Break out

Stand Out

Transform

Stand Out

Unique

Get Moving

This exercise was very useful in the development of my concept. It enabled me visualize the space and consider spatial ideas e.g Interesting shapes for lighting, playing with shadows and light, partition walls, banquette sitting and a central reception area.

Through a conceptual exercise, I created a 3d representation of my concept ideas: breaking out, transformation, non

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As it gradually breaks out of its cocoon into a life of colour and light. light.

I have chosen to create a design based upon the concept of the transformation. This transformation can be viewed in many different ways , for example, It could be observed in the butterfly who's life radically metamorphosises through the transformative power of chrysalis, as it gradually breaks out of its cocoon into a life of colour and light. light.

Ultimately, I want my design to be centred around spaces that configures itself into three different states of transformation..

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PROGRESSIVE CHANGE MOVEMENT PROCESS STAGES OF LIFE LIVING ROUGH COMING OUT STRONG It could also be seen in the form of diversification in how wings change from stubby little useless pads into large aerodynamic instruments of flight. And most of all, It comes with an appreciation of what is so often trodden underfoot without awareness or care.

‘‘ I have related this to the homeless youths that redefine caters to - who with adequate care and attention, gradually moves out of a life of bitterness, brokenness, exploitation and misery into a life of care, beauty, joy and light.

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TRANSFORMATION = CHANGE= MOVEMENT= MOTION= CHANGE

LINKING CONCEPT WITH SPACE PLANNING butterfly space planning: Feedback on this idea

was to develop a more abstract approach to this butterfly shape space plan. I needed to translate transformation in the mood and atmosphere of the space and not just in choices of materials and colour.

ZONNING / TRAFFIC FLOW

In line with the concept, i needed to incorporate transparencty, openness and clarity in the form of an easy traffic flow. By stripping down the walls to the bearest, I have created an airy and open space with the use of glass blocks, skylights for natural light and doors only where needed for fire exits, security and privacy. Public spaces are interconnect to give the users a sense of freedom, openess and calming atmosphere, that reduces violence and softens their defences.

three zones of transformation

OBJECT A

VERTICAL DIVISION

PLAN B

HORIZONTAL DIVISION

PLAN C

90 DEGREES DIVISION

Critical analysis Objective: To determine which space planning and zoning works best Procedure: compare pros and cons of each design Focus Area: Social Area/Lounge constant: 20 stude Action Plan: Introduce moving wall in order to have the best features of the three option depending on preferences, and spatial requirements at any point in time

Drop Times (Seconds) PROVISIONS

OPTION A

OPTION B

OPTION C

training

FAIR

GOOD

VERY GOOD

lounge

split in 2

very big , good for social events

3 divisions.

counselling

2, but there is no privacy

nil

2, but securely closed

games

none

pool table,

disabled access

yes

yes

yes

free traffic flow.

very free, flexible

free, casual

official, rigid

CREATING A MOOD The mood I want to create is that of a sense of calm and comfort.

I will be creating a calming backdrop using sweet combination of whitewashed tones accentuated with soft greens and blues Incorporate elements of the old, the worn and the broken with elements of the fresh, the new, the beautiful and the soft.

For home less kids with a history of violence, hardship and abuse, it is important to create a space that will be soothing and make them feel secure.

MOOD BOARD DEVELOPMENT

For homeless kids with a history of violence, hardship and abuse, it was important to create a space that will be soothing and make them feel secure.

My initial moodboard kept changing because certain elements weretoo fast paced, and could be interpreted as rush instead of motion. With further research i was able to get images that suited the mood i wanted to achieve.

I took elements that worked in each board which then influenced the direction of the choice of materials and colour

MOOD BOARD The mood I want to create is that of a sense of calm and comfort.

I will be creating a calming backdrop using sweet combination of whitewashed tones accentuated with soft greens and blues Incorporate elements of the old, the worn and the broken with elements of the fresh, the new, the beautiful and the soft.

For home less kids with a history of violence, hardship and abuse, it is important to create a space that will be soothing and make them feel secure.

THE DESIGN

In my design, I will be making the space a by creating a spatial equivalent to the openess and transparency that Richard and the virgin group bring to every aspect of business. Key to this approach is the concept of “transformation”— by opening up the space and stripping down the structure to the bearest, suspended wall panels will perform multiple roles in the form of partitions. In three configurations, these walls will provide different usage requirements for lectures, events and lounge activities..

open space in social area

Ground floor plan B

Mezzainine Floor

Second Floor

BEDROOM AND BATHROOM

DINING AND KITCHEN

RECEPTION

MATERIALS

JOB CENTRE

LOUNGE/ TRAINING

Reseaarch statement Client I did a general research on Richard Branson and the Virgin group to try to get a glimpse of his personality and expectations as a client.”Screw It, Let’s Do It” is one of Richard’s favourite sayings. When it’s all done (usually with great success), everyone looks back and admires Virgin’s unique flair. It’s a stylish and appealing combination of courage and cunning that reflects the man behind the brand.

To enable my ideas I took a look at what the brand has already done in other industries: They are smart marketers, crazy innovators, and they know how to execute. They are creative, provocative and obsess over details. I then narrowed my research to their charity company, Virgin Unite, who deal with Youth Entrepreneurship and empowerment. Under this initiative is Re*Generation a Virgin Mobile initiative dedicated to helping the more than one million children without a place to call home in America, Canada, and Australia but nothing in the Uk so far.This was what led me to notice that there was a gap in the Uk scene that the charity can step into and excel in.

Youth Homelessness I did a general research on the general situation of homelessness in Uk, and the different systems and aids that are available nationwide, by both government and several NGO’s. This allowed me to better understand the situation as a whole.I then narrowed my research to the youth aged 16-24.

Key points • Data on the scale of homelessness related to young people aged 16-24 indicates that at least 75,000 young people experienced homelessness in the UK in 2006–07.

• There is a need for new approaches to homelessness because various surveys showed that there is scope for further development of effective prevention and the creation of affordable housing pathways for young people.

Several models questioned whether temporary accommodation for young people should be short-term or more ‘transitional’ accommodation.

Overall, although temporary support is widely available and appeared successful, there is still a lack of suitable emergency accommodation and move-on housing options.

Primary Research While Survey documents and other secondary research were helpful with the figures and general information, answers to questions on layout, routine, spatial requirement, areas of improvement, facility management, workers and occupant routines could not have been available without interviews and visits to some shelters.

From observations in my Primary research to 3 homeless shelters, I narrowed the scope of my big idea to male youths only and decided to have a longer term move-on housing option that addresses the problem of youth homelessness from the service provision perspective. Research on the minimum standards for hostel premises and facilities -Provision of necessary spaces, facilities and equipment (recognising that the physical environment can also contribute to ensuring a safe emotional environment one that supports positive developmental and social activities, quiet reflection, privacy, security and a free-fl ow of communication with people outside the hostel).

-Emergency exits have been considered in the design arrangement -Research on the minimum standards for hostel premises and facilities -Provision of necessary spaces, facilities and equipment (recognising that the physical environment can also contribute to ensuring a safe emotional environment one that supports positive developmental and social activities, quiet reflection, privacy, security and a free-fl ow of communication with people outside the hostel).

-Emergency fire exits have also been considered in the design arrangement.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Web Virgin Should Shock Just About Everyone. http://thefinancialbrand.com/8535/branson-launches-virgin-bank/ .

Accessed 17 October 2013 Virgin.com. http://www.virgin.com/unite Thursday, 10 October 2013 22:38 Help Homeless Children - Re*Generation Helps Its Own | Virgin Mobile.webarchive http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ virgin-mobile-life/regeneration-past-aboutThursday,

In conclusion, the design choices, materials and

fittings have been carefully selected bearing in mind : flexibility of use and function. This design approach was intended to manipulate the surfaces, texture, colour and light in a way that transforms its users into an interactive and immersive experience with the space .The finishes are interesting motifs for the ddynamic backdrop and will create a spatially exciting and joyful home for all users, nestled comfortably in its compact mews site in North Greenwich town centre.