YouthCare Visioning Studio

YOUTHCARE VISIONING STUDIO UW AWB Student Chapter 2012

Studio Team Adam Stoeckle, Master of Architecture student, 2-year Erin Feeney, Master of Architecture student, 3-year Jay Ranaweera, Master of Architecture student, 2-year Michael Gilbride, Master of Architecture student, 3-year Sam Kraft, Master of Architecture student, 3-year Virginia Werner, Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban Planning student Brian Gerich served as faculty adviser, providing invaluable advice, structure, and motivation to the efforts of the studio

VARIOUS RESIDENCES YOUTHCARE MAIN OFFICE ORION CENTER NEW SITE 1 17th and YESLER

NEW SITE 2 - S. Alaska Street and MLK

YOUTHCARE SERVICE NETWORK

UW College of Built Environments The College of Built Environments at the University of Washington, Seattle devotes its resources to the tangible improvement of built and natural environments. The four departments at the College include architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and construction management. Collaborative research efforts and courses are becoming more common, but this studio was unique as an interdisciplinary design studio arranged by students themselves.

YouthCare Seattle YouthCare is a nonprofit committed to engaging with homeless youth to stabilize their lives through social services and housing. This collaborative, interdisciplinary studio team worked directly with YouthCare to explore the vision for a new transitional housing facility that provides housing and services in a single facility, adding to their existing network of services.

AWB The Seattle professional chapter of Architects Without Borders (AWB) provided support for the studio through the involvement of Brian Gerich and representation at design reviews. Architects Without Borders-Seattle provides ecologically sensitive and culturally appropriate design assistance to communities in need.

SUBHEADING STUDIO TIMELINE

goal #1 provide design services to an under-served community goal #2 explore the use of alternative building materials in an urban context

MARCH 2011 IDEA FOR A STUDIO BEGINS

AUGUST 26, 2011 FIRST MEETING WITH YOUTHCARE

WINTER 2012

INDEPENDENT STUDIES TO PREPARE FOR STUDIO

APRIL 9, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 1

goal #3 work together to develop ideas as a collaborative, interdisciplinary group goal #4 complete the requirements of a comprehensive studio (study building systems) goal #5 have fun 4 4

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SUBHEADING

Introduction

Research

Studio

APRIL 23, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 2

YouthCare

MAY 4, 2012

MIDTERM REVIEW

MAY 11, 2012

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AT ORION CENTER

JUNE 4, 2012

FINAL REVIEW WITH CLIENT

Projects

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SUBHEADING

MARCH 2011 IDEA FOR A STUDIO BEGINS

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AUGUST 26, 2011 FIRST MEETING WITH YOUTHCARE

WINTER 2012

INDEPENDENT STUDIES TO PREPARE FOR STUDIO

APRIL 9, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 1

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SUBHEADING

Introduction

Research

Studio

APRIL 23, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 2

YouthCare

MAY 4, 2012

MIDTERM REVIEW

MAY 11, 2012

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AT ORION CENTER

JUNE 4, 2012

FINAL REVIEW WITH CLIENT

Projects

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SUBHEADING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS The Youthcare studio felt it was necessary to research youth homelessness to better understand and serve our clients. We quickly found that youth homelessness is the result of many profoundly complex societal problems, the majority starting with the family but spanning to global economics.

Despite historical initiatives and legislature passed at the federal and state levels, youth homelessness remains a serious issue. With the onset of the 2008 recession, youth homelessness has increased dramatically. The primary cause for this increase is the inability of a financially struggling family to support their older children. In addition, neglect, abuse, residential instability, and family conflict are large contributors to youth homelessness. Furthermore, unemployment, crime, limited funding, and a lack of access to education, support, and resources continually perpetuates the homelessness of youth.

http://blog.endhomelessness.org

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SUBHEADING The services and organizations that do exist, like Youthcare, are always at capacity and working hard to take care of the day to day. However, many of these organizations are also looking to innovate their approaches to the larger patterns of youth homlessness. One innovation that we looked at is the “Foyer model”.

“Foyers are integrated learning and accommodation centres providing safe and secure housing, support and training for young people aged 16 - 25.” www.foyer.net

The Foyer model approaches youth homelessness by focusing on the assets and energy of the youth in order to support and facilitate a transition to independence. Foyers provide housing, education, and training in exchange for a commitment to support the community through their behavior and work. In many cases the buildings and the services they provide become a beacon and landmark in the area and help bring the youth out of the shadows and into society.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

www.goodshepherds.org

The Chelsea Foyer at the Christopher has small living spaces and generous communal spaces to encourage mixing.

www.goodshepherds.org

YouthCare

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SUBHEADING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS - TRANSITIONAL HOUSING Housing strategies for homeless youth include: -Group Homes -”Housing First” or rapid re-housing: prioritized by King County -Permanent supportive housing -Employment-focused housing -Transitional housing: short term, typically 18-24 month. It is intended to bridge between living on the street or in emergency shelters to permanent, stable housing. The concept of transitional housing began in the early 1990s and it has expanded ever since. In 2004, over 7,000 transitional housing programs existed.

Important to the success of any housing program are: -issues of scale -level of independence vs. support -community networks -fit within the fabric of the local community -safety and stability

“To be successful, housing must be enhanced with intensive case management services, school, meals, job training, and money management and other life skills training.”

- City of Seattle

Local services: -King County receives $19 million in annual funding for its “Continuum of Care” through the McKinney Vento Homesless Assisstance Act -King County has a “10 Year Plan to End Homelessness” that proposes new dormitory style housing for youth and young adults -Housing providers in the Seattle area (focus area indicated): Archdiocesan Housing Authority (women), Cedar House (mental illness), Church Council of Greater Seattle’s Home Step (low-income stable), Dove House, Friends of Youth’s New Ground (transitional), Goodwill Development Association’s Aridell Mitchell Home (transitional), ROOTS (emergency shelter), United Indians of All Tribes, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Harder House (transitional group home), YMCA Young Adult Services (transitional and permanent), and YouthCare.

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haitianconsortium.com

Gaps in services: -funding for programs typically ends at age 24, making support and resources scarce for young adults who are unable to live independently -there is a bottleneck of facilities and staff that limits the number of youth able to enter -much of the transitional housing available requires sobriety

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

PROJECT SUBHEADING PROGRAM This program was developed through research on existing transitional housing projects and based on conversations with YouthCare. The comprehensive studio requirements for the Architecture Department recommend a 30,000 SF building,

which was easily met with this program. Each project takes a unique perspective on program relationships, layout, and square footage based on the following.

transitional housing: 12,550 sq.ft

common spaces

LIVE

size

number

type a (180sq.ft) type b (150sq.ft) type c (125sq.ft) total

1800 sq.ft 3000 sq.ft 1250 sq.ft 6050 sq.ft

10 beds 20 beds 10 beds

conference kitchen exercise bike storage laundry total

1200 sq.ft 400 sq.ft 4200 sq.ft 400 sq.ft 300 sq.ft 6500 sq.ft

4 1 1 1 1

Research

Studio

Projects

education and employment: 9,700 sq.ft classrooms computer lab flex space/ lounge studio/workshop

LEARN SUPPORT

2700 sq.ft 1200 sq.ft 4000 sq.ft 1800 sq.ft

3 1 2 2

offices, staff lounge and conference room: 610 sq.ft service spaces: 11, 340 sq.ft mechanical electrical circulation bathrooms/storage

3000 sq.ft 1500 sq.ft 3840 sq.ft 3000 sq.ft

SERVICE YouthCare

Introduction

TOTAL : 34,200

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NEW HORIZON YOUTH CENTRE - London, United Kingdom - Adam Khan Architects SUBHEADING Recommendations: - Example of “non-institutionalized space� in the form of creative expression space, privacy nooks, and conversation spots - Solid material palette for sense of permanence and durability

The New Horizon Youth Centre is an organization that assists youth in the transition to adulthood. The youth centre addition adds a series of spaces to an existing youth homeless shelter. Different configurations of seating and surfaces allow for different levels of privacy and sociability. Window nooks or group seating tables reiterate the available choice in experience.

Several elements are made out of solid materials in order to express permanence and durability.

Study area

Privacy nook

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CASE STUDY Sources: The architects were focused on avoiding institutional space by creating a sense of home - http://www.adamkhan.co.uk/ and flexibility. A space on the top floor acts as - http://www.architecturetoday.co.uk/?p=9175 a place for intense expression or emotion. It is clad in slightly shifting wooden planes in order to express warmth and security.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

Exterior view

YouthCare

Creative Expression Space

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SUBHEADING OUTSIDE IN - Portland, Oregon - Clark Kjos Architects Recommendations: - Similar program of housing and services in one facility - Aesthetic intent to make building approachable with enclosed outdoor spaces, dynamic massing, and “urban materials.”

The headquarters for Outside In is a 31,000 square foot building that contains counseling services,

Entrance

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employment services, a clinic, kitchen, dining space, and housing. The design for the main headquarters of Outside In was focused on making the building approachable. This goal was accomplished by breaking up the building in different sections and expressing each one differently. Other approachable elements include the exposed structure, the angled walls, and “urban materials.” The mural and street art further ensures a non-institutional building.

Dynamic massing of building facade

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CASE STUDY The courtyard creates a private outdoor space for the youth while also allows the opportunity to be opened up to the public. For the interior of the building, a two-story lobby acts as the internal, central hub of the building.

Introduction

Sources: - http://www.ckarch.com/main.html

Research

Studio

Projects

Entrance atrium

YouthCare

Entry outdoor space

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SITE VISITS

Geographic Information System (GIS) Site Selection Criteria:

Other Site Selection Criteria:

- Parcel of 30,000 square feet or more - Vacant Land - Appropriate Zoning - Non-steep slope sites

- Proximity to public transportation - Proximity to commercial areas/jobs - Proximity to other YouthCare facilities - Diverse site types (constrained vs. open)

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SITE VISITS

Introduction

Research

Studio

Early visit to Columbia City site

Early visit to Yesler site

YouthCare

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Projects

MATERIALS We felt like the architecture could be an opportunity for education and innovation. That was the theme of the program and the motive behind the creation of the studio.

This led us to explore alternative materials. The materials themselves could provide learning opportunities about the trajectory of architecture and construction in a postpetroleum world.

A section through a bioswale design

http://www.modcell.com http://www.modcell.com Straw Panels--These prefabricated timber with straw infill panels are the structure and insulation as one and are applicable for small and large scale projects

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

MATERIALS Polycarbonate roofing--a lightweight and low cost roofing solution that allows lighter structure and maximizes diffuse daylighting of interior spaces.

Introduction

Research

Studio SEDUM TILES 6� SOIL FILTER FABRIC DRAINAGE LAYER WATER RETENTION FABRIC ROOT BARRIER ROOF MEMBRANE ROOF DECK

Typical green roof section

YouthCare

http://www.greenpublicart.com

http://www.nordicewp.com

Green Walls/Living Walls/Vertical Gardens--Blank walls become living, respirating works of art or ecologically performative components of the building systems.

Cross Laminated Timber--It is like plywood on steroids. These panels can span up to 50 feet and are able to speed up construction time much like precast panels or SIPS, but without the toxic substances or embodied energy.

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Projects

SYSTEMS

Different systems work simultaneously and cyclically to create the experiences we have in and around buildings.

Each system can be analyzed separately, but they work together to support the building and its inhabitants.

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SYSTEMS

Introduction

Research Natural Systems Hydrological cycle - water Sun - energy Wind - air Earth - site and water

Studio Built Systems Hydrological cycle - rain water harvesting,

gray and black water Sun - daylighting, solar harvesting Wind - natural ventilation

Social Systems Education/training Support Work Live

YouthCare

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Projects

SYSTEMS: WATER

General Approach: • Conserve water use with efficient fixtures • Harvest rain water for supplementary uses • Create a system that cycles and treats gray water and black water if appropriate • Employ green roofs, green walls and constructed wetlands to hold and filter water appropriately • Minimize the waster stream exiting the building to the city infrastructure Daily indoor per capita water use is 69.3 gallons.

Rain water- can be stored and used for irrigation. Can be filtered through green roofs and green walls and combined with gray water to be treated and re-used.

Gray water - any used water that is carrying a very low amount of organic material. This includes water from bathroom sinks, washing machines, and showers.

Black water - water from kitchen sinks and toilets is considered black water because it likely carries a lot of organic solids and must be more extensively treated and or filtered. This is the most difficult to treat on-site.

Installing more efficient fixtures can lower daily per capita water usage to 45.2 gallons (saving 35%).

40 youth at 45.2 gallons per day: 650,000 gallons per year 10 staff at 10 gallons per day: 25,000 gallons per year Total indoor building usage: 675,000 gallons per year Does not include outdoor usage Rain water - As a rule of thumb, each inch of rainwater will provide .55 gallons of water per sq.ft. of roof 1” rain = .55gallons/sq.ft. of roof Seattle average annual rainfall: 38” Yesler Site 12,980 sq ft x 38“ rain/year x .55 = 271,282 gal/ year

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Columbia City green wall diagram: This is a schematic diagram of a possible configuration

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SYSTEMS: WATER

Introduction

Research ~50,000 gal./year

GRAYWATER REUSE COMMUNITY GARDEN

~430,000 gal./year

~70,000 gal./year

~50,000 gal./year

Studio

EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF BIOSWALE GREEN WALLS (drip irrigated)

SITE WATER 170,000 gal./year

Projects

GRAYWATER PRE-TREATMENT

BELOW-GRADE RAINWATER CISTERN

GRAYWATER TREATMENT PLANTERS

340,000 gal./year

N BELOW-GRADE GRAYWATER CISTERN

Columbia City water systems diagram: This is a schematic diagram of a possible configuration

YouthCare

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SYSTEMS: AIR + LIGHT

General Approach: • Use building orientation and shape to maximize natural ventilation and sunlight • Operable windows allow for individual control of ventilation and comfort and are therefore ideal for living spaces and offices • Ventilate with a dedicated outside air system to insure fresh air for all spaces • Use the envelope to mitigate glare and maximize use of daylight Other Considerations • Consider heat recovery ventilations system (HRV) that recovers heat from exhaust air providing energy savings.

• Double skin facade systems offer energy savings and better control of shading, ventilation and acoustics, but have higher upfront costs and maintenance must be carefully considered

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SYSTEMS: AIR + LIGHT

Introduction

Passive Systems

Research SOLAR SCREEN (on south facade) ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPPORTUNITY HOUSING ORIENTED FOR PASSIVE COOLING

TRANSLUSCENT DAYLIT CORE OPERABLE PANELS FOR VENTILATION NARROW FLOOR PLATE WITH WINDOWS

N YouthCare

25

Studio

Projects

SYSTEMS: ENERGY

General Approach: • Use tight and well insulated envelope to maintain thermal comfort with minimal energy • Employ heat recovery system to save energy • Adjust heating system to the different occupancies and intensities of the residential, learning, and office spaces • Consider ground source heat pump and solar thermal water as potential sources of heat • Radiant heat is efficient and effective and may be appropriate

Other Considerations • Radiant heating is slower to respond to rapid temperature fluctuations • The most appropriate type of ground source heat pump (vertical, horizontal, or pond) will depend on the particular characteristics of the site

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SYSTEMS: ENERGY

Introduction

Active Systems

Research AIR INTAKE FLAT PLATE SOLAR HOT WATER

Studio

RADIANT BASEBOARD HEATERS PER ROOM

Projects

HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR AT FLEX

EXHAUST AIR

SUPPLEMENTARY HEAT SOURCE (boiler) HEAT RECOVERY

N

YouthCare

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SUBHEADING

MARCH 2011 IDEA FOR A STUDIO BEGINS

28

AUGUST 26, 2011 FIRST MEETING WITH YOUTHCARE

WINTER 2012

INDEPENDENT STUDIES TO PREPARE FOR STUDIO

APRIL 9, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 1

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SUBHEADING

Introduction

Research

Studio

APRIL 23, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 2

YouthCare

MAY 4, 2012

MIDTERM REVIEW

MAY 11, 2012

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AT ORION CENTER

JUNE 4, 2012

FINAL REVIEW WITH CLIENT

Projects

29

RELATIONAL MODELS Description This introductory exercise emphasized relationships. Without a site or a fully established program, the construction of physical models focused on materials, connections, and spatial strategies as a means to explore essential relationships in the project. During the studio discussion of the models, a variety of relationships between the youth and staff, client and public, building and site, were shared and common themes were established.

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

RELATIONAL MODELS Essential relationships expressed: -haven or shelter function of housing -terrain as undulating or unstable -need for individual expression -ambiguity of entrance -projections and voids -consistency of materials vs. form -diverse opportunities for stillness -evidence of hand-made/natural vs. machine-made -enclosure vs. spilling out -built meeting living culture -folding, spiraling, continuity -assembly vs. reduction -embedded in context vs. safe oasis -privacy, security, comfort -flexibility -progression, hope -iconography -precarious/unexpected moments -navigating landscape -constructed/intentional vs. constructable/changeable -connection to landscape -prospect and refuge -responsibility and structure vs. playfulness

YouthCare

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Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

WORKSHOPS

Workshop Goals As part of our research, we conducted two sets of workshops with the managers and staff of YouthCare, and the youth at the Orion Center.

These workshops consisted of collaborative exercises to get ideas and feedback from the youth and staff regarding how they view their current space, and what they would

want in a new space. Another goal was to understand the relationships between staff and youth at the different levels of housing, and see how those relationships affect the physical space they occupy. This feedback was very valuable for us as we developed our projects.

We also discussed design/build ideas for our studio, as well as opportunities for future work with YouthCare.

Managers and Staff at Workshop 1

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

WORKSHOPS Workshop 1: What works, what doesn’t? focused primarily on identifying the current benefits, drawbacks, strengths, and weaknesses of the YouthCare homes and centers.

Who We Are COLLEGE OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTS

Virginia

Jay

Erin

Adam

Sam

Introduction

Workshop 2: Ideas for the future featured a dot exercise to identify priorities and a board game to stimulate conversation about function proximities and relationships.

Michael

Research

Studio

Our Process testing

Projects

LIVING

+

LEARNING

drawing

listening

designing

Studio Timeline UW students get organized UW students meet with YouthCare staff

4/9

Workshop 1: What works, what doesn’t?

4/23

Workshop 2: Ideas for the future

5/11 5/12

May

UW students plan design/build project and work on new building design Build Days!

UW students work on new building design

UW students share final project with YouthCare

June

3/30

April March

Managers and Staff at Workshop 1

Workshop 1 Introduction Board

YouthCare

Virginia and Erin running Workshop 1

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WORKSHOPS

Workshop Findings The following questions and answers represent the cumulative knowledge of the managers, staff, and youth.

Managers and Staff Dot Exercise at Workshop 2

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

WORKSHOPS Where do the youth like to spend most of the their time inside? Why? The different residential settings facilitate different kinds of hanging out. Some managers said the youth prefer the living room and dining rooms, and smoking areas, while others said the youth prefer spending time in their bedrooms, and hang out in the laundry room. Some managers noted that this was because they simply just did not have a good gathering space. When it is nice outside, the youth like to be on the front porches. The youth at the Orion Center liked spending time playing video games on the couches.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Where do the staff like to spend time inside, or would like to spend time, and why?

The staff also like to hang out in the kitchen, and at the administrative offices. They voiced opinions that they need to have a space that is dedicated to a gathering space, because being in the offices is disruptive to those working.

What is your favorite thing about the building you work in? Least favorite?

Favorite things included: the old houses have character, outside patios, individual rooms for residents, front porch, built-in benches, commercial kitchen at Orion Center, flexible spaces can have many uses.

Least favorite things included: old houses need a lot of maintenance, lack of studio apartments, lack of office space, lack of game room/common space, shared office space, no place to eat/lack of common space for staff, no “decompression� space for staff, and not enough small meeting rooms.

YouthCare

Projects

Managers and Staff playing Board Game at Workshop 2

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WORKSHOPS What spaces are best, or would be best, for interacting with the youth in a professional capacity?

The offices and small meeting rooms - but many are shared and do not allow for the needed privacy. Outdoor spaces are also good.

What spaces are best, or would be best, for interacting with the youth socially?

Similarly, outdoor spaces are good for social interaction, as are the kitchens, and it’s also really good to have offices on public corridors - it facilitates interactions. Social living spaces, such as living rooms, would be good. Small individual counseling spaces are also good for social interactions.

Orion Center Youth Board Games at Workshop 2

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

WORKSHOPS What is the outdoor space like at your place of work? Does it work well or poorly? What would your ideal outdoor space be like for a new YouthCare facility that combined housing, counseling, offices, education, and training programs?

In general, the managers agreed that having programmed outdoor space, a green buffer space, and more parking were needed for a new facility. The housing element needs to be screened from view from nosy neighbors, especially in the residences where transgender youth live (this has been a problem in the past). The managers also expressed that the outdoor spaces for sunbathing, playing volleyball, and barbecuing are popular, and those should be incorporated into the semipublic spaces in the project. Gardens and p-patchs were also desired.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

What issues do you have at your facility related to security and visibility? What are ways to mitigate that?

Need to have offices or staff areas that look onto common space for the youth, like the Orion Center has windows that look into the main room from the upstairs offices, creating a visual connection.

Stairwells and hallways, and bathrooms, are often places that are unmonitored where bullying occurs, so making those spaces more open and visible would help prevent some of the intimidation among the youth and make them feel more safe and secure. While they need privacy from the neighbors, they also need to be friends with the neighbors - the idea that the more eyes on the street, the more secure it will be.

Managers and Staff playing Board Game at Workshop 2

YouthCare

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SITES - Yesler One site selected for the project was chosen as an urban typology with easy access to downtown. Downtown was viewed as both an asset and a potential detriment to the well-being of the youth. This corner site is located on the corner of 17th Avenue and East Yesler Way. It is approximately 15,500 square feet and zoned for Neighborhood Commercial and a 40 foot height limit. Currently, the site is a vacated auto shop.

Also, this site is adjacent to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, a small commercial area, a vocational school, and a public park. The closest transit routes for the site include the following bus lines: 14, 27, 984, 987.

East Yesler Way 17th Avenue

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SITES - Yesler

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

YouthCare

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SITES - Columbia City This site was selected for the project for the purposes of exploring a large site in South Seattle. This corner site is located at the intersection of South Alaska Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. It is approximately 30,000 square feet and zoned for Neighborhood Commercial and a 40 foot height limit. The site is in a small mixed-use area surrounded by the Rainier Vista affordable housing development and single family homes.

Previously, the site included a gas station, resulting in the ongoing remediation of the site’s soil. The closest transit options include the Columbia City light rail station across the street and the 8, 9, and 42 bus lines.

Ma rtin ing

er K

h Lut S ay Jr. W

40

Str e

et

h

ka

out

S. A las

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SITES - Columbia City

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

YouthCare

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CONTEXT MAPPING “Make a map, not a tracing... What distinguishes the map from the tracing is that it is entirely oriented toward an experiment in contact with the real.

The map does no reproduce an unconscious closed in upon itself, it constructs the unconscious. It fosters connections between fields...”

-A Thousand Plateaus, Gilles Deleuze & Felix Guattari

R AVE

RAINIE S

S GENESEE ST

S AS

T

S AY RW GJ

SK

KIN

ML

S ALASKA ST

S AY RW

T

GJ

AS

KIN

SK

LA

ay Jr W

LA

SA

ML

ng

Ki her Lut

SA

S GENESEE ST

R AVE

RAINIE

rtin Ma

38TH AVE S

38TH AVE S

This mapping exercise to enhance understanding of the two selected sites was focused on four areas of documentation: • temporal spatial systems • sociocultural systems • ecological systems • infrastructural systems

S ALASKA ST

S Alaska Street Major Institutions Multi-Family 0

0.05

0.1

Miles 0.2

Neighborhood/Commercial Single Family

Major Institutions Multi-Family 0

0.05

0.1

Miles 0.2

Topography in Columbia City

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Neighborhood/Commercial Single Family

Land use in Columbia City

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CONTEXT COLUMBIA MAPPING CITY

Introduction

Research

Studio

Spatial Edges / Regions

1000 ft

Lake Washington Blvd.

50th Ave. South

Rainier Ave. South

Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. + Link Light Rail

Beaocn Ave.

15th Ave. South

Highway I-5

SITE

Projects

0

1/4 mile

Spatial Edges and Regions of Columbia City

YouthCare

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CONTEXT MAPPING

Neighborhood House education and technology

Columbia City Public Library

Rainier Community Center

Diverse cultural services

Refugee Women’s Alliance

Consejo substance abuse counseling

Boys & Girls Club

Royal Esquire’s Club (Black social club)

Rainier Beach Family Center + Proposed Rainier Beach Community Center

Southeast Youth & Family Services Community Art

Rainier Valley Cultural Center + JazzEd program

Rainier Valley Historical Society

Filipino Community Center

SE Effective Development (housing and economics)

Cultural and social resources in Columbia City

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CONTEXT COLUMBIA MAPPING CITY

Introduction

Research 0.15 mi

Politics at Columbia City site

0.15 mi

Gathering at Columbia City site

Studio

Projects Columbia City Bakery

Full Tilt Ice Cream

0.15 mi

Transportation at Columbia City site

0.15 mi

Density at Columbia City site COLUMBIA CITY FOOD

Local food culture in Columbia City

YouthCare

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CONTEXT MAPPING

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

HOME OF HOPE

Coyote Central

ORION

Seattle University

Garfield High School

YESLER Boys and Girls Club

Yesler Terrace Communtiy Center

Douglass Truth Library

Youthcare on Yesler Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

Pratt Fine Arts Center

Seattle Vocational Institute

Washington Middle School r ile lf m ha

ad iu s: 10 mi nw alk

Wood Construction Center

YOUTHBUILD

YouthCare network and Yesler site

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Half-mile radius from Yesler site

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CONTEXT MAPPING YESLER

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

Food Access within .5 mile 1” = 500’

YouthCare

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CONTEXT MAPPING

Japanese Ownership or Service 1” = 200’ Japanese culture around Yesler site

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

CONTEXT MAPPING YESLER 1

4

Introduction

Visual Evidence Japanese culture near the Yesler Site 1 Keiro Nursing Home

Research

2 Seattle Dojo 3 Japanese Congregational Church 4 Keiro Nursing Home 2

5

Studio

5 Seattle Royasan Buddhist Temple 6 Japanese Congregational Church

Projects

3

YouthCare

6

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DESIGN BUILD When the UW Architects Without Borders - YouthCare Studio was first organized with the intent of serving the non-profit organization YouthCare, we set out to provide them with both a short-term design/build solution as well as a longterm architectural visioning study to help them expand their services and capabilities as an organization serving the homeless youth in Seattle.

To achieve our short-term design/build solution, the YouthCare studio discussed the needs of the organization with both the staff and the youth served by YouthCare, and were given the opportunity to design a much-needed storage solution for the YouthCare’s Orion Center located in Downtown Seattle.

REPURPOSING OF MATERIALS

EASE OF CONSTRUCTION

DESIGN GOALS FOR YOUTHCARE STORAGE DESIGN

MODULARITY

LOW-COST

http://blog.endhomelessness.org

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

DESIGN BUILD The concept for the storage system consisted of four main aspirations: repurposing of materials, replicability and ease of construction, modularity and low-cost. While touring the Orion Center, the team was inspired by the reusing of empty milkcrates as storage boxes. Using this concept of designing with repurposed materials, the design team was able to propose a relatively low-cost storage solution using empty milk crates.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

Milk Crates - Repurposing of Materials

YouthCare

Modularity of Shelving Units

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DESIGN BUILD However, since the storage boxes needed to be easily removable, the milk crates could not be directly attached to one another. Instead, they had to be nested within an easyto-construct framework of plywood.

The construction process of the plywood framework was carefully designed to minimize material waste and to be able to replicate with as little effort as possible. Careful attention to detail allowed for a design that achieved great structural stability as well as required a minimum number of fence

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changes on a table saw to cut the individual components of the framework.

Another key feature of the design was its ability to be constructed with simple tools found in any woodshop or construction site. With access to a table saw, electric drill, and wood screws along with a few hardware pieces such as metal caster and metal angle brackets (both easily available at hardware stores) a team of two could easily assemble one modular furniture unit.

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

DESIGN BUILD

Introduction

Research

Studio

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+ Projects Materials and Tools Required

YouthCare

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DESIGN BUILD Through a series of collaborative design charrettes and by carefully listening to the needs of the client, YouthCare design studio was able to achieve its design goals while engaging both the YouthCare staff and the youth served by them.

Thank you to our Design Build volunteers Natalia Chetvernina, Ali Mohammed, and Zeke Jones!

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

DESIGN BUILD

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

YouthCare

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SUBHEADING

MARCH 2011 IDEA FOR A STUDIO BEGINS

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AUGUST 26, 2011 FIRST MEETING WITH YOUTHCARE

WINTER 2012

INDEPENDENT STUDIES TO PREPARE FOR STUDIO

APRIL 9, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 1

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

SUBHEADING

Introduction

Research

Studio

APRIL 23, 2012

CLIENT WORKSHOP 2

YouthCare

MAY 4, 2012

MIDTERM REVIEW

MAY 11, 2012

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AT ORION CENTER

JUNE 4, 2012

FINAL REVIEW WITH CLIENT

Projects

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Youthcare Final Project: Yesler Site

Sam Kraft | Michael Gilbride

YESLER LIVING/LEARNING CENTER

Iterations of building form 1/2 mile resource map around site

Final form and programmatic relationships TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

HOME OF HOPE

ORION

YESLER

YOUTHBUILD

YouthCare and Seattle

We found two contrasting sites in Seattle that showed potential to develop a living/learning building for Youthcare. This is the Yesler site. It is the smaller of the two sites and closer to downtown. Yesler Way is a major east-west arterial that spans through many neighborhoods. This particular spot is at the top of a hill and home to a performing arts center, a fine arts school, a small commercial pocket, and a park. This place already has momentum, diversity, and an attitude that would welcome a motivated homeless youth population as a source of energy and not as a drain on property values.

Diagrams of program and systems relationships

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

YESLER LIVING/LEARNING CENTER black water grey water

constructed wetlands clean water cistern

dedicated outdoor air system ground source heat pump high efficiency boiler raised floor small local radiators

Introduction

Research

Studio Water system diagram

HVAC diagram

Projects

Looking East up Yesler Way

YouthCare

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YESLER LIVING/LEARNING CENTER

Basement Floor Plan

The extensive program and small site led us to start with the buildable envelope. We experimented with strategically eroding the building based on solar access and a simple building parti. After many iterations, a lower plinth supporting an “L” above became the basic massing.

The plinth houses the learning program, the “L” contains housing.

Section looking North

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First Floor Plan

Section looking East

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

YESLER LIVING/LEARNING CENTER

Introduction

Research Plaza Level Plan

Third Floor Plan

Fourth Floor Plan

From here we developed a diagram that organized the relationships inside the building, the movement of people and the systems that support the people. The initial diagram is about activated edges. In a natural system, edges are the most active and diverse areas. In buildings, edges are often closed, sealed, or detailed to reduce activity and movement. By pulling apart the edges where two things meet, a space forms. We filled these spaces with circulation, daylight, active HVAC and water systems. This proved to be a powerful and practical idea.

Studio

Projects

looking out on the Plaza

YouthCare

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Columbia City Transitional Housing Study Jay Ranaweera | Virginia Werner

Optimizing the Courtyard

66 Mechanical

Semi-Public Space

Common Space

Mechanical Living Units

Semi-Public Space Community Connections

Common Space Studio

Living Units Administrative Office

Community Connections Vertical Circulation

Studio

Administrative Office

Vertical Circulation

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY

Inward Looking Courtyard

Maximizing Natural Illumination

Program Concept Program Conce

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY The conceptual basis behind the Columbia City Transitional Housing study was creating a contemplative and protected space surrounded by the housing units. Each room in the building would look into the courtyard which is carefully designed to provide a feeling of intimacy and privacy.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

View of Central Courtyard

YouthCare

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COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY

Rainwater Collection Rainwater Collection

Rainwater Collection Rainwater Collection

Hydrological Processes on Site Greywater Filtration Grey-water Treatment on Site

Hydrological Processes

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Ground Floor Plan

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY Special attention was paid to the hydrological processes on the site as it received a large quantity of rainwater run-off by being located at the bottom of a valley. In addition, the natural infiltration of water into the site is required to continue the soil remediation process completed recently.

Introduction

Research

The design proposes two Bioswale areas that filter rain water and grey water expelled from building uses, in order to foster environmental stewardship.

Studio

Projects

Bioswale Within Courtyard

YouthCare

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COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY

Active Heating in Winter

Passive Cooling in Summer

North Elevation Typical Apartment Unit and Faรงade Components

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY The building surfaces facing the interior courtyard consist of a series of sun shades depending on incident solar radiation. If additional privacy is needed, the facade contains wooden shutters that can be closed to cover the apartments while also creating an ever changing envelope in the courtyard.

Introduction

Research

Each living unit also feature operable windows that can be opened into the courtyard, allowing natural ventilation in the summer.

Studio

Projects

Third Floor Plan

YouthCare

Ground Floor Plan

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Evergreen Huckleberry

Paper Birch

Grasses

Red Osier Dogwood

Orange Sedge

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Golden Fountain Sedge

Pacific Dogwood

Tufted Hairgrass

Vines

Trees

Quaking Aspen

Shrubs

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY

Star Jasmine

Plants Used in the Landscape Design

UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STUDY The design of the landscape elements focused especially on the interactive nature of plants with the occupants. Plants were chosen not only for their suitability to the regional climate, but also based on how they can interact with the human senses of touch, smell, sight and sound.

Introduction

Research

For example, the paper birch trees in the court yard invite occupants of the space to touch the peeling bark of the tree trunk, while the rustling sound of the grasses can create a sense of calm and assurance.

Studio

Projects

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

Seasonal Considerations in Plant Selection

YouthCare

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YouthCare Living and Learning Center Adam Stoeckle | Erin Feeney

YOUTHCARE LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER

Housing

Supportive Housing

Support

This project began with the team placing priority on the role of this new living and learning building in the context of YouthCare’s existing facilities. The role imagined for the new building was that it would act as a gathering place at the scale of the city, the valley, and Columbia City. At each scale, homeless youth are using the living and learning program as a common point of transition to and from other YouthCare facilities and different levels of independence.

Support

Concept

Private Housing

Transitional Housing

Transitional Space Learning

Learning

VARIOUS RESIDENCES YOUTHCARE OFFICE

ORION CENTER

NEW TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

YOUTHCARE

City FACILITIES

HOUSING SERVICES

Valley

HOUSING

RESIDENT

HOUSING

SERVICES

NON-RESIDENT

SERVICES

Columbia City

CITY-WIDE NETWORK

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY Thus, the program and conceptual framework for the project reflect the basic massing of the project.

The massing is based on a programmatic block of living, another of learning, and then a space in between that acts as a place of transition. This place transitions the youth programmatically from living to learning spaces and experientially from the more public experience of the street to the more private experience of the residences.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

YouthCare

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YOUTHCARE LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER The final form of the building strongly reflects the conceptual intent. Classrooms, a community partnership space, a YouthBuild workshop, and conference room comprise the ground floor of the learning block, with staff office space above. A commercial teaching kitchen and community garden anchor the southern tip of the living block, functioning as a learning space, while a dining space above the kitchen functions as a related living space for the residents.

Section Looking North

Section Looking West

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY The living block is broken down into four levels of housing. Each level, the layout changes to reflect an increasing sense of independence. The ground floor includes dormitory-style rooms that use the common kitchen and shared bathrooms. The floor above houses units with a shared kitchen and bath in a group of four individual rooms. The upper two floors are studio apartments, each with their own kitchen and bath.

Introduction

Research

Studio Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third & Fourth Floor Plan

Projects

N

YouthCare

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YOUTHCARE LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER A major aesthetic component of the project are the vegetated walls that reflect a new iconography inspired by the painted green wall of the Orion Center. Functionally, this wall is linked to the rainwater collection system and the adjacent community garden.

Perspective of the community garden and green wall

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UW Architects Without Borders - Student Chapter

COLUMBIA CITY Window nooks throughout the building provide varying experiences of privacy while visually tying together the building masses of living and learning.

One example is a coffee service window at the corner facing the Link Lightrail stop, connecting the barista training program with the surrounding community.

Introduction

Research

Studio

Projects

Perspective of the entry showing the coffee service window

YouthCare

Perspective of the entry showing the coffee service window

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AWB STUDIO TEAM 2012

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THANK YOU YouthCare

Melinda Giovengo, Ruth Blaw, Liz Wall Managers, staff, and youth

Architects Without Borders Brian Gerich

UW Department of Architecture

David Miller Alex Anderson

UW Department of Landscape Architecture Ben Spencer

College of Built Environments, Office of the Dean Abby Crossen

Bernhard Endowed Fund Our wonderful reviewers Rob Corser Susan Jones Rob Pena Blake Palmer Susan Kemp Carter Woollen Mark Johnson Michael Elliason