Urban Roots Resource Center Fall Proposal

URBAN ROOTS resource center

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 abstract 02 introduction 03 program 04 precedent studies 05 site 06 first-person research plans

01

abstract

ABSTRACT Homelessness is not a choice; it can happen to anyone at any given time, yet the resources and basic necessities people need to get off the streets aren’t widely available, and if they are, our society has created a stigma against making these facilities attractive and socially acceptable.

Urban Roots, the Unhoused Resource Center, located in Portland, Oregon, strives to be a welcoming space for the unhoused community, providing all physiological needs as well as offering multiple forms of support for those in need. This space strives to answer the question: What do people need to not only survive but thrive? Offering a variety of medical and wellness services, places to freshen up, community areas to engage with the public, resources to find employment, and areas to rest and have a permanent address, this program will have a heavy focus on trauma-informed design and designing with dignity.

02

introduction

INTRO/JUSTIFICATION Homelessness is a growing problem that, at times, tends to get overlooked because it’s viewed as a choice rather than a real problem that needs to be mended. In 2022, a report was done across the United States finding that more than 582,000 people were experiencing homelessness, and Oregon had the nation's third-highest rate, with 42 unhoused per 10,000 residents (Hayden).

Looking more specifically at Multnomah County, a survey was done to see where citizens slept on the night of January 24, and through this survey, 6,297 people were identified as homeless (Theriault). Some of these people reported using shelters, but many didn’t. These numbers may seem shocking, but over the past year, there has been a 16% decrease in people who are chronically homeless, meaning people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year while struggling with a debilitating condition.

Although lack of shelter is a problem, access to necessary healthcare facilities is also a resource that people without a stable residence don’t always have open access to. Untreated mental illness and substance abuse issues are another leading cause of homelessness. About 54–88% of people experiencing homelessness have reported issues of untreated mental illness as well as substance abuse problems. Without access to treat these problems, the likelihood of individuals creating a stable residence for themselves becomes very low. A study done in 2022 for Multnomah County found that 38.5% of people experiencing homelessness were suffering from a mental illness, 26% from physical disabilities, and 37.5% from substance abuse disorders (Showers).

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, developed in 1943, explains the five levels at which every human being must progress to achieve self-actualization. He believed that one could not progress through the ladder towards self-actualization without the lower levels of this pyramid being met. The pyramid goes like this, 1. Physiological needs: breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing, and sleep 2. Safety and Security: health, employment, property, family, and social stability 3. Love and Belonging: friendship, family, intimacy, and a sense of connection 4. Self-Esteem: confidence, achievement, respect for others, the need to be a unique individual

5. Self-Actualization: morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance, experience purpose, meaning, and inner potential

Most shelters only focus on providing the basic physiological needs, but the rest are just as important in helping people realize their full potential and creating a stable life and residence for themselves. Maslow believes that higher needs can also begin to develop even when lower needs are not fully satisfied.

Most of the unhoused population is mainly seeking to achieve their physiological needs, but it’s important to understand how to support all levels of this ladder and ways to provide exactly what they need so they can achieve self-sufficiency (Conway) (Fleury 5/18).

DESIGN INVESTIGATIONS Design with dignity Creating a space where everyone feels welcome and like they belong there

Trauma-informed design Having an understanding of the unhoused population demographics Making conscious design choices to reflect

Daylighting and healthcare Circadian rhythm Natural light & views to the outside

03

program

PROGRAM The Urban Roots Resource Center’s program is split into six categories derived from Maslow’s pyramid. These categories are Welcome, Wellness, Health, Belonging, Rest, and Security. The goal of these spaces is to encourage guests to seek out help to create a stable residence for themselves by providing them with easy access to everything they may need while also designing a space that is welcoming, healing, and comforting to all.

1. WELCOME This category consists of a large lobby/reception area, donation drop-off, a retail “shop”, animal daycare, and a mailroom. The lobby is a place where guests are greeted and can be informed about where to go and answer any questions they may have. This space needs to have views of all other programmatic spaces to allow guests to feel a sense of safety and security while in the resource center.

The donation area will have access from the street, so anyone can donate to those in need, and these items will then be placed in the retail “shop”, which is meant for guests to utilize when they need a change of clothes without having to spend money on new items.

The animal daycare is a small area where guests can leave their animals while they use the space. There will be staff taking care of these animals as well, providing them with food and water.

Lastly, there is a small mailroom where guests can sign up for the Urban Roots Center as a permanent address. Guests won’t have access to this room but can talk to the staff working in this space to receive mail, with the hope of having guests feel comfortable having mail sent here without worrying about their items getting stolen.

2. WELLNESS This category consists of a large refresh area and small service rooms for hair and nail care. The refresh space is a large hygiene area equipped with private restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. The goal of this space is to create somewhere they can use and feel comfortable doing private tasks in a public space. There will be women, men, and gender-neutral stalls to make everyone feel comfortable. Layered lighting strategies will be considered in the

refresh area to create a feeling of relaxation and cleanliness in the space. This space will also include a few washers and dryers, easy access to the retail “shop” area, and the ability to enter this space before continuing through the center. A small hair and nail care service area will also be connected to provide guests with the luxury of getting pampered and keeping up with basic hygiene necessities.

3. HEALTH The health category consists of medical exam rooms, dental offices, and multi-purpose counseling rooms. The goal for all of these spaces is to create a warm and healing space, not the cold and sterile environment that these types of spaces usually are. Daylighting, views to the outside, color, and furniture choices are all things taken into consideration when designing these spaces.

There will be a small, separate waiting room for guests to wait for their appointments, and there will be one on-site doctor and visiting professionals

throughout the month. These spaces will be stocked with all basic check-ups and other health-concern essentials. The dental offices are small rooms for cleanings.

Lastly, the multi-purpose counseling rooms are slightly larger than the other two, so they don’t feel as confined,hopefully encouraging a comfortable and safe feeling in the space. These rooms will be used for therapy sessions, substance abuse treatment, and employment resource meetings.

4. BELONGING The goal of this category is to create a sense of community and belonging in the space. Urban Roots is meant to feel like a second home to guests, somewhere they look to for comfort and support. Included in this category are a large community lounge, a small resource library, a cafe/dining area, and a large industrial kitchen.

The community lounge is a large central meeting and hangout hub for all guests of Urban Roots. It’s a very open space with a variety of seating options.

Computers and other technology will also be available for use in this area, as well as workstations and tables scattered throughout. The goal is to give guests a variety of options for seating at desired privacy levels so they can feel some

sense of authority and comfort within the space. Connected to this area will be a small resource library with books, tools, and supplies for crafts.

The cafe/dining space will be connected to the community lounge, and the goal for this space is to imitate a casual dining experience so guests begin to feel comfortable in these types of environments. There will be a variety of seating options for levels of privacy, and guests can also become employed and work here. There will also be self-serve food options if a no-contact dining experience is preferred. All meals will be cooked in the large industrial kitchen, and three meals will be provided each day by staff, volunteers, and even guests if they want to work in the food industry. Cooking classes can also take place in this space during off-hours for meal prep.

5. REST The rest area consists of nap rooms for guests to use at set times throughout the day. Overnight stays can be arranged in dire situations. These will be dark spaces with security cameras throughout, beds with flexible partitions to give guests privacy while sleeping, and plenty of linen options.

6. SECURITY This category includes the staff offices, breakrooms, and storage lockers for guests. The offices are meant to be used primarily by the staff of Urban Roots, with one breakroom for visiting professionals.

Lockers will be located in the front of the space, with connections to the lobby and refresh area. Security cameras will be placed throughout, and guests will be given access by staff and with a code to ensure security for personal belongings.

JESSICA the mom

AGE: 34

OUR STORY I’m 34 and have a 10-year-old daughter named Emma. We recently had to leave our home situation, as it was no longer safe for either of us, and we have been bouncing from shelter to shelter since.

Before we left, I used to love to draw and paint in my free time. I was an elementary art school teacher, but unfortunately, I lost my job a few weeks before we left. My daughter and I would had nights where we would draw and paint together when we needed some time for relaxation.

HOW ARE THE

When we first enter this space, we are from the staff; they make us feel safe. eras placed in almost every part of th worried about safety, that small aspec

Bouncing from shelter to shelter, we often need a change of clothes, and to freshen up, and the hygiene space is my favorite. There are large private stalls that both my daughter and I can comfortably shower in. The hygiene space is extremely relaxing and has everything and more that we may need.

It’s also really nice to have lockers and laundry near this space so everything can be done in one place, and I’m not worried about my stuff getting stolen.

I frequently use the computers that this space offers to look for new jobs and to update my resume. The employment resources and help they offer are amazing. The meetings are held in a cozy office room with one of the staff, and it’s easy to make an appointment at any point since they are short and there are a couple of different offices.

EMMA the daughter

AGE: 12

I’m 12 years old and have been living in shelters with my mom since we left home. I’m not sure what’s going on and how long we are going to live like this. I’m not happy, and I miss school and my friends.

I used to love drawing with my mom; it was always something that made both of us really happy.

EY USING THE SPACE?

e always greeted with such a warm welcome . The first thing I noticed was the security camhis building, and as a mother who is constantly ct makes me feel much better about using this space.

I spend a lot of time in the hobby space with my mom.

We love to draw and paint all sorts of things, and it’s really nice because there are more supplies than I ever had at home. I also really like using the computers with my mom. I can watch YouTube videos and play games.

JUSTIN the one impacted by covid

AGE: 45

MY STORY During the pandemic, I unfortunately lost my wife to COVID-19, and only a few weeks later I was laid off from my job, which sent me into a downward spiral. Later that same year, I lost my house and had nowhere to go. I was thrown into some of the housing with others who were struggling during this time and kept spiraling.

HOW IS HE USING THE SPACE? I found this place one day and felt drawn to enter; something about it made me feel some sense of normalcy. I usually never enter because of the fear of what others may think of me, but I could see that this was a place with resources I could use.

My favorite aspect of this space is the easy and simple access to everything one may need. I was never worried about getting lost because there is clear signage and views to the majority of resources offered. I find myself using the counseling services a lot; the staff is extremely helpful and non-judgemental, and the rooms have become one of my favorite places for self-reflection.

OLIVIA the reception staff

AGE: 28 I am one of the first faces the guests see upon entering this space. My goal is to ensure everyone feels welcomed and safe, and although that may sound like an easy task, it’s not. As a part of the staff, we have to be constantly alert and monitoring each space. Luckily, from my desk, I have plenty of visibility to monitor guests and make them feel safe.

Although my job may be difficult at times, I truly do love coming to work every day. A part of my job is to guide guests to places and occasionally accompany them to where they need to go. I love watching the guests interact with the spaces, especially the hygiene and community spaces. That is where a majority of people spend their time, and I think it’s because of the safety and varying levels of privacy within each space, as well as the access to so many useful resources.

ROBERT the visiting doctor

AGE: 37 I treat a lot of the guests who utilize the medical facilities, usually for basic illnesses, wounds, and the occasional sprain. It’s extremely fulfilling to help those in need, and the workspace really helps with that. Each office is small, yet holds everything you might need without feeling like a true exam room. The color and lighting of the space are extremely calming and put guests at ease making them feel more relaxed about getting the help they need.

04

precedent studies

01 AUSTIN RESOURCE CENTER FOR HOMELESS

DATE COMPLETED : 2004 SIZE : 26,820 SF DESIGN TEAM : LZT Architects

PROGRAM INFO • resource center, clinic, & overnight shelter • first floor: large common day use, shower, locker rooms, laundry, computer room, art studio, offices, clinic • second floor: commercial kitchen & dining • third floor: 100 overnight beds

GUIDING PRINCIPLES • • • •

connection to street space structure lighting sustainability

WRITTEN ANALYSIS • the overall program of this space is extremely similar to what I would like to provide in my program. the health clinics are something that I am going to take inspiration from, as I just want a couple small spaces where basic medical necessites can be provided, and referrals are given for more dire needs • a large lobby is another thing I really would like to include as well; although the material choices is something that doesn’t quite work with this type of space, it’s too cold and sterile which is something I would like to avoid in my day center • lighting is another huge thing that I really like from this precedent. majority of the light fixtures were customized for this space, and natural light was heavily emphasized during initial design. daylighting reaches almost all spaces in this design to reduce the need for natural light • spatial organization of this space seems to be working. the separation between floors and program also makes sense

02 MULTNOMAH BEHAVIORAL RESOURCE CENTER SIZE : 24,000 SF HEIGHT : 4 1/2 Stories DESIGN TEAM : Carleton Hart Architecture BUILDING : 1918 LOCATION : Portland Downtown Core

PROGRAM INFO • • • • •

day center with support services, shelter & beds, transitional housing levels 1 & 2 : day-use resource center; exterior plaza level 3 : mental health shelter level 4 : transitional housing level 5 : shared administrative spaces

GUIDING PRINCIPLES • • • • • • •

incorporate trauma-informed design principles integrate with the community support wellness, through use of daylght, sound, etc equity-informed design remove barriers to assure accessibility provide dignity for guests & residents promote safety of guests, residents, & staff

WRITTEN ANALYSIS • this program is more centered around healthcare, which is interesting to see how they wanted the facility to feel like • there is a clear difference here compared to the Austin Resource Center in regards to trauma-informed design • the color palette of BHRC envokes more of a calm feeling compared to ARC • the floor plans are extremely open, with certain spaces being placed in the center to provide a clear view from all points of the building •central wayfinding and circulation • the day use center consists of restrooms, showers, computers, & community kitchen. all things I want to include in my program • the bathrooms are really intersesting to look at, they provide privacy with each being enclosed stalls

03 LONDON TUBE STATION REPURPOSED FOR HOMELESS

SIZE : 21,700 SF DESIGN TEAM : MORRIS + COMPANY LOCATION : KINGS CROSS, LONDON

PROGRAM INFO • repurposes abandonded York Road tube station into a hostel and co-working space • designed for the homeless youth community • level 1 : charity shop, co-working & reception, laundry, tv/living rooms, office/rentable spaces • levels 2 & 3: short stay shelter, co-living

PROJECT FEATURES • “hidden homeless will no longer be hidden but be staying within the center of a vibrant community rich with opportunity” • publicly-accessible spaces empower residents • inclusive, viable, holistic site strategy • supporting stepping-stone into appropriate long-term housing solutions

WRITTEN ANALYSIS • this program is more centered around shelter & housing, specifically for the younger population and more of a co-working space • still interesting to look at the layout and the types of spaces that are provided • the integration of community in design is something i would like to bring into my project • designing with dignity was emphasized in this space, and is something I also want to bring into my project • “ingredients for dignified housing” • very central and open floor plan with clear wayfinding • large charity shop; similar to what I want to provide but maybe not as big • short-stay shelter rooms are interesting to look at and something I may want to replicate in my design as well • the layout looks more like a co-living than shelter • also the bathrooms seem to always be centered

04 TRUE WORTH PLACE SIZE : 40,000 SF DESIGN TEAM : HKS Architects BUILDING : 2016 LOCATION : Fort Worth, Texas

PROGRAM INFO • • • •

resource center for homeless basic healthcare, therapy, & a path towards reintegration with society large day room that can accommodate up to 300 people large industrial kitchen • demonstration kitchen to teach cooking & cleaning • mailroom, laundry, lockers & storage • 2 classrooms for interview skills, workshops, etc • technology center • 12,000 SF clinic • lab, dental, radiology suites, exam room, & procedure room

GUIDING PRINCIPLES • transparency • desgining with dignity • warmth & inviting

WRITTEN ANALYSIS • this program is slightly larger, but does offer all the same programming that I would like too • the lockers from this buidling are important, as looking into this building there was a lot of research that went into finding lockers that didn’t seem too commercial • a locker room like this is something i need to add into my desgin, keeping in mind transparency • transparency in this desgin from the pictures is clear, i like how the laundry facilities have a window with clear sight to the rest of the facility • i think this design really focused on designing with dignity, and trauma-informed design, both of which are key guiding principles in my design • the interior is extremely warm and inviting, and from the sounds of it this has been a very successful resource center for homeless • i also really like the idea of having a demonstration kitchen to teach cooking and cleaning • also integrating classrooms might be something important to look at for my program

05 CAPSLO HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER

SIZE : 26,000 SF DESIGN TEAM : Gwynne Pugh Urban Design Studio BUILDING : 2011 LOCATION : San Luis Obispo, California

PROGRAM INFO • facility for individuals and families in need of shelter and support • requires a building to provide housing, medical services, childcare, and resource areas to help residents secure employment for a self sufficient and sucessful future • community rooms, kitchens, offices, and dormitories containing 200 beds for men, women, and children

GUIDING PRINCIPLES • universial safety • separation of public and private • north and south separation

WRITTEN ANALYSIS • overall i think the layout and separation between public and private is really working in this space • also the formal to informal wayfinding is working • universal safety is clearly shown and is really important for a space like this • security monitoring points on both floors • the building being designed on the spine and everything is surrounding that allows for clear sightlines at all times • the programming is also very similar • this one has a focus more on shelters • i like the idea of adding family spaces, and dorms • the small medical and mental health offices are good size, and show what i want for my program

RESOURCES RESEARCH ● Conway, Natalie. “From Survive to Thrive: 5 Levels of Human Needs.”

Blanchet House, 24 Aug. 2022, blanchethouse.org/5-levels-of-human-needs/. ● Fleury, Marie-Josée, et al. “Met and Unmet Needs of Homeless Individuals at Different Stages of Housing Reintegration: A Mixed-Method Investigation.” PLOS ONE, vol. 16, no. 1, 2021, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245088. ● Hayden, Nicole, and Jamie Goldberg. “Oregon’s Recent Growth in Homelessness among Largest in Nation.” Oregonlive, 5 Apr. 2023, www.oregonlive.com/politics/2023/04/oregons-recent-growth-in-homeless ness-among-largest-in-nation.html. Accessed 02 Nov. 2023. ● Sand, Kaia. “Kaia Sand: Access to Hygiene Is a Human Right, and Portland Is Stepping Up.” Street Roots, Street Roots, 4 Nov. 2020, www.streetroots.org/news/2020/11/04/kaia-sand-access-hygiene-sanitatio n-human-right. ● Showers, Julie. “Portland Homelessness Crisis: One Man’s Path Out.” Blanchet House, 14 July 2022, blanchethouse.org/portlands-homelessness-crisis-one-mans-path-out/. ● Theriault, Denis, et al. “News Release: Chronic Homelessness Number Falls across Tri-County Region in 2023 Point in Time Count.” Multnomah County, 10 May 2023,

www.multco.us/multnomah-county/news/news-release-chronic-homeless ness-number-falls-across-tri-county-region-2023. Accessed 02 Nov. 2023. ● Zielinski, Alex. “Portlanders Say Homelessness and Cost of Living Are the City’s Top Challenges.” Opb, OPB, 2 Aug. 2023, www.opb.org/article/2023/08/01/portland-homeless-camps-cost-of-livingoregon/. Accessed 02 Nov. 2023.

PRECEDENTS ● ACR Engineering, Inc. - Project: Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, www.acreng.com/projects/project_austin_resource_center_homeless.htm l. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023. ● “Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.” Austin Resource Center for the Homeless | AIA Top Ten, 1 Apr. 1970, www.aiatopten.org/node/164. ● “Behavioral Health Resource Center.” Multnomah County, 1 Dec. 2023, www.multco.us/behavioral-health-resource-center. ● Brent Sparks Brent Sparks is a Partner as well as the Office Director for HKS Fort Worth. His team works with clients to design environments for family-centered care. Brent also leads the project team for Children’s Advocacy Center, et al. “Dignity in Design: True Worth, Changing Homeless Intervention.” HKS Architects, 9 Nov. 2022, www.hksinc.com/our-news/articles/dignity-in-design-true-worth-changinghomeless-intervention/. ● designboom, lauren grieco I. “Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio: Capslo Homeless Services Center.” Designboom, 11 Oct. 2011,

www.designboom.com/architecture/gwynne-pugh-urban-studio-capslohomeless-services-center/. ● Everett, Lauren. “Behavioral Health Resource Center Opens in Downtown Portland.” Metro, 6 Jan. 2023, www.oregonmetro.gov/news/behavioral-health-resource-center-opens-d owntown-portland. ● Morris+Company, morrisand.company/work/hidden-homeless. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023. ● “True Worth Place.” HKS Architects, 9 Jan. 2023, www.hksinc.com/what-we-do/case-studies/true-worth-place/. ● Walsh, Niall Patrick. “Morris + Company Imagines London Tube Station Repurposed for the Homeless.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 8 Jan. 2019, www.archdaily.com/909115/morris-plus-company-imagines-london-tube-s tation-repurposed-for-the-homeless?ad_campaign=normal-tag.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ● Trauma Informed Design Manual - Shopworks Architecture, shopworksarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TID-Four-Phase-ProcessManual.pdf. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023. ● Trauma-Informed Design: Quick Reference Guide - Hud Exchange, files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Trauma-Informed-Design-Q uick-Reference-Guide.pdf. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

05

site

SITE

208 SW FIRST AVE

building type

office

year built/renovated

1900/1978

building height

3 stories

building size

22,200 sf

building class

b

typical floor size

7,000 sf

strengths

weaknesses

• great central location in southwest portland • ideal location for target audience • easily accessible • fully documented • three stories • taller than surrounding buildings

• only one entrance • surrounded by other buildings • neighbors may not like this in the area • currently smaller than my program sqft

opportunities

threats

• potential to make a resource center more socially acceptable • skylights, creating views to the outside by looking up • creating interesting vertical relationships

• daylighting may be difficult because of the shape of the building • views to the outside may be difficult • creating a central wayfinding

0

06

first-person reaseach plan

FIRST PERSON RESEARCH PLAN PROGRAM/FUNCTIONALITY PEOPLE • Bethany Bryan - Program Manager at True Worth Place • Janie Gullickson - executive director at Mental Health Addiction Association of Oregon • Debbie Barber - Chair of White Bird Board • Nora Blumenstien - Advocacy and Operations at Rose Haven

QUESTIONS • What is working in this space? What isn’t working?

• What spaces get used the most?

• Are there any changes you would make to improve the functionality?

• Do users seem comfortable using the space?

• What common behaviors (if any) have you observed from users?

DESIGN FOCUS PEOPLE • Jamie Castillo - interior designer at HKS (worked on True Worth Place) • Brent Sparks - office director at HKS

QUESTIONS • How familiar are you with trauma-informed design?

• What is the most challenging part about designing for the unhoused population?

• What are the most important design principles to keep in mind when designing for the unhoused?

• What was your favorite part to design?

POTENTIAL USESRS • How long have you been homeless?

• What would be most helpful for ending your homelessness?

• Do you use shelters and resources provided? why/why not?

• Where would you like to be in a years time?

• Do you feel safe?

• What is the best thing that happened to you this week?

• What would your house have? Resource center?

• What makes you feel safe?

• What is the hardest thing about being homeless?