Finding Community

Disha Dua

“Finding Community” reflects my journey to answering the question “What does community mean to you?”

To me, community at its core is about acceptance. My aim is to create a space where everyone feels secure, especially the overlooked demographics such as veterans and young single moms. Stemming from the results of my site analysis I found these forgotten groups and chose to not only highlight their needs but also attend to them by adding a daycare and a veteran support group to my design. I want the users of my community center to have access to much-needed programs such as subsidized prenatal care and support groups for dealing with PTSD along with other regular programs like sports and theatre.

To house these programs, I designed a building that speaks to its landscape by using the contours of the site as guides while shaping the form. The curved walls alongside the warm timber feel comforting and the seamless canopy offers a sense of protection. The building is inviting and unique to the neighborhood which I hope will make people gravitate inside.