Issuu

[Re] Connecting

[RE] Connecting Veterans Enclave

Kendra Hexberg-Fitzwater

There is no lifestyle adjustment or military deprogramming

for discharged servicemen; they are left to find their own way. What happens when a soldier comes home AFTER deployment in a com-

bat zone? BEFORE deployment they are taught to follow orders and how to survive in a conflict zone. DURING war soldiers are exposed

to an untold number of stresses, confusing or unfamiliar situations, and feelings of sadness, pain, and anger. When they finally return home they are ushered out of service with little to no help or counseling.

There needs to be a place where Veterans of foreign conflicts

can go to relearn how to live like a civilian. The number of service members who seek counseling months and even years after they have been home are too high. They suffer from a range of problems

from depression to PTSD. Many post deployment conditions could be prevented with immediate after deployment counseling and military â€œdeprogrammingâ€?.

Contents 1. Introduction Part 1

Design 2. Regional Design - Vallejo, CA 3. Urban Design - Mare Island 4. Building Design

15 19 21

Part 2

Presentation 5. Presentation Schematic Development 6. Final Presentation 7. Model Development 8. Final Models Part 3

41 # # #

Appendix 9. Process Images

Introduction

This project is all about, reconnecting to community and civilian society.

For those of us who do not know the horrors of combat, we can only imagine the struggle it is to reconnect with family, friends, and community after deployment. For those who lived it, reconnection can be a nightmare. That’s where Veterans Enclave comes in, it’s a safe, therapeutic facility for combat veterans to go and

get the help they need to re-enter civilian life. From job training to physical and psychological therapy, Veterans Enclave offers combat veterans the services that will make transition from soldier to civilian as unspoiled as it can be.

With the help of the Coming Home Project and some inspiration from

Swords to Plough Shares and the Delancey Street Project I present to you Veterans Enclave, a response to the inaction of the United State Military to help Combat Veteran’s successfully reconnect with civilian society.

The facility was inspired by a concept I discovered during my research;

that recovery from psychological injuries due to combat, was most successful

when healing mind, body, and soul. It is a concept used in treatment of addicts, PTSD, and a series of other afflictions that outwardly only affect the mind. However, a healthy mind is helped with a healthy body and soul. The program in the

building was easily tailored to mind and body therapy, however recovering from harm done to your soul is not as cut and dry. I realized that the one thing I could program into the facility was places for quiet contemplation. These places would

offer veterans at the facility an outlet to think introspectively about what they

had experienced and come to terms with the recovery process that they are going through while at Veterans Enclave. These spaces became the driving force of

the design, beginning with views between buildings that looked out towards the

Introduction

city center of Vallejo, the Napa River, and San Pablo Bay. Each of these initial

view corridors were the initial site parti. The center point of the view corridors is an American Flag, a symbol that represents what these veterans fought for. The

three axis of the view corridors led the creation of the building masses and the courtyard spaces. Which is what you see represented today.

In addition to scenic views from the site itself, there are two paths that

descend from the site towards the proposed Mare Island Recreation trail; offering the residents easy access to an outlet for recreation and quite contemplation.

To step back a little I want to explain my reasoning for choosing Vallejo,

CA as the location of this facility. I knew that I wanted my thesis to be in Vallejo, before I realized what my thesis was actually going to be. I fell in love with the

possibilities of Vallejo years ago while living in Northern California. The City of Vallejo began as General Vallejo’s dream of a state Capitol. His dreams were

realized, but only briefly, and his dreams were forever squashed when the capitol building he had constructed went up in flames. However, the city wasn’t a com-

plete failure, during the height of World War II, Mare Island Naval Base serviced

the bulk of the Pacific Fleet and provided the city with a stable and flourishing economy. In 1995 Mare Island Closed and the entire Island was left to rot in the

salt breeze off of the San Pablo bay. Only recently has Vallejo rebounded from

its economic collapse, caused by the closing of the Mare Island Naval Base and the housing bubble collapse in 2005. The remnants of the naval base became the

framework for a satellite city center in Vallejo. Using the viable building stock and carefully planned new construction I propose a small main street development that will support the recovering economy and benefit Veterans Enclave.

The new Main Street will support Veterans Enclave with occupational training

services in a variety of different industries, as well as bringing community within walking distance of the Enclave.

To establish a firmer connection between Vallejo’s City Center and Mare

Island I propose a new pedestrian bridge at the southern portion of the Island,

connected directly to Veterans Enclave. A second car bridge is also proposed just

north of the proposed Main Street Development. These new connections will

help establish a stronger community connection between Vallejo’s City Center

Introduction

and Mare Island.

On a regional scale Vallejo is lacking a strong connection to other com-

munities in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it under utilizes its ample waterfront access. To remedy these problems I propose an extension of the BART (Bay Area

Rapid Transit) Train, bringing the train from the Richmond line along highway 80, creating 2 new stops in Vallejo. Within Vallejo a small streetcar line is pro-

posed to bolster the new connection with the San Francisco Bay Area. A loop

that runs from the new BART stops West to Mare Island and back and a linear line running the length of Vallejoâ€™s main North South Transit corridor. This new

transit development as well as a waterfront redevelopment along the banks of the Napa River will make Vallejo a more desirable community to live, work, and play

in the San Francisco Bay Area. These regional developments will also benefit the users of Veterans Enclave, by creating a network of connections throughout the Bay Area to Veterans Enclave.

PART 1

Design

Regional Design

Regionally Vallejo, CA is disconnected from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Which means building a regional veterans center wouldn’t make sense without

significant improvements. To begin with the BART train (Bay Area Rapid Tran-

sit) needs to be extended to Vallejo. I propose an extension of the BART train along Highway 80 using the Richmond line train. Two stops would be established for Vallejo, connecting to the Vallejo Street car loop that runs west to Mare Island

and back. These new connections create the transit web to connect Veterans from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to Veterans Enclave.

As a part of the transition sequence for veterans the regional transporta-

tion network is very important. A veteran will begin at Veteran’s Enclave, transition to the Main street development on Mare Island, then to Vallejo’s City Center, and finally to being able to feel comfortable in San Francisco itself.

Original Regional Plan Drawing.

Regional Design

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

SITE MARE ISLAND

StreetCar Line Recreation Trail Loop Major Regional Highways

BART Stations Street Car Stations

Regional Design

Urban Design

The urban plan is all about using the current building stock that is on

Mare Island. The buildings that are in usable shape will be developed into vi-

able building stock and new construction will be added to develop a Main Street development. This main street development will serve as a secondary city center for Vallejo and a place for the veterans at Veterans Enclave to train in a variety of careers.

Building Design

The complex or campus of buildings that have been designed for Veter-

ans Enclave, are designed for the spaces in between. It all started with wanting

to highlight the views from the site, and it ended with creating a series of very

purposeful spaces in between and next to the buildings to encourage the recovery of each individual veteran. The campus of buildings is reminiscent of base liv-

ing, but with an Italian hill side, picturesque atmosphere. The campus has two recreation trail connections that descend down the hilltop, allowing for quite con-

templative walks as well as general recreation. With only a five minute walk to

Mare Islands Main Street Development and ten to fifteen minute walk across the proposed pedestrian bridge to South Vallejo, Veterans are well connected without being adversely immersed into a city.

North Elevation

South Elevation

Building Design

East Elevation

West Elevation

Building Design

North ---> South

West ---> East

Building Design

Building Design 26

RESIDENCE HALL

Floor ONE

RESTROOM

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

CLASSROOM

OFFICE

WOMENS RESTROOM

OFFICE

KITCHEN

CLASSROOM

STOR.

CLASSROOM

FAMILY THERAPY ROOM

CLASSROOM

MESS HALL

OFFICE

PHYSICAL THERAPY

MENS RESTROOM

WOMENS RESTROOM

27 Building Design

Residence Hall

Floor TWO

COPY ROOM

ADMIN OFFICES

MENS

WOMENS

OPEN TO BELOW

ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE OFFICE ROOM

ADMIN OFFICES

CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM MENS

OFFICE

KITCHEN

CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

STOR.

CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

FAMILY OFFICE THERAPY ROOM

CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

MESS HALL

OFFICE OFFICE

STOR.

CLASSROOM PHYSICAL THERAPY

MENS RESTROOM

WOMENS RESTROOM

Building Design

PART 2

Presentation

Schematic

Presentation Development

Title Block

Site Context

Mess Hall Elevations Research Data

Entrance Perspective Illustrative Perspective Orientation Map Interior Perspective 1

Regional Plan

Admin Building Elevations

Interior Perspectiv2 Urban Plan

02 Floor Plan

Courtyard Building Elevations Ground Floor Plan From the FLag Perspective

Extension Building Elevations Section East-West (Extended Section South North (extended)

Schematic Presentation Development

Title Block Interior Perspective 1

Orientation Map

Interior Perspectiv2

Regional Plan

Urban Plan

Title Block

Site Context

Mess Hall Elevations Research Data

Entrance Perspective Illustrative Perspective

From the FLag Perspective

Orientation Map Interior Perspective 1 Illustrative Perspective

Regional Plan

Interior Perspectiv2

Site Context

Research Data

Admin Building Elevations

Urban Plan

02 Floor Plan

Entrance Perspective

02 Floor Plan (Extended)

Courtyard Building Elevations

Technical drawings and Urban Sections Mess Hall Elevations Admin Building Ele- Courtyard Building Elevations vations

Ground Floor Plan if it is 1/16”

Ground Floor Plan From the FLag Perspective

Extension Building Elevations

Extension Building Elevations Section East-West (Extended

Section East-West (Extended Section South North (extended)

Section South North (extended)

Orientation Title Block Map Research Data Sustainability Diagrams and such

Interior Perspective 1

Kendra Hexberg

Sustainability Diagrams and technical details

Illustrative Perspective

Technical drawings and Urban Sections

Site Context

Construction Diagrams (CLT and prefab wood and concrete)

Veterans Enclave

Regional Plan

URBAN AND REGIONAL PLAN PROPOSAL

Site Parti

Interior Perspectiv2

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

From the FLag Perspective

02 Floor Plan (Extended) SITE MARE ISLAND

FLOOR TWO

Ground Floor Plan if it is 1/16”

Admin Courtyard Extension Mess Hall Building Building Building Entrance Perspective Elevations Elevations Elevations Elevations

Section East-West (Extended GROUND FLOOR

Section South North (extended)

Section East-West (Extended

Building MODEL

Title Block Interior Perspective 1

Research Data From the FLag Perspective

Technical drawings and Urban Sections

Sustainability Diagrams and such

Tectonics MODEL

Urban MODEL

Sustainability Diagrams and technical details

Veterans Enclave Kendra Hexberg

Entrance Perspective URBAN AND REGIONAL PLAN PROPOSAL

Orientation Map Interior Perspectiv2

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

FLOOR TWO

SITE

02 Floor Plan (Extended)

Ground Floor Plan if it is 1/16”

Courtyard Building Elevations

Admin Extension Mess Hall Building Building Elevations Elevations Elevations

Section East-West (Extended

MARE ISLAND

Regional Plan

Illustrative Perspective

Site Parti

GROUND FLOOR

Construction Diagrams (CLT and prefab wood and concrete)

Section South North (extended)

Section South North (extended) Section East-West (Extended

Building MODEL

Urban MODEL

Building MODEL

Tectonics MODEL

Urban MODEL

Schematic Presentation Development

URBAN AND REGIONAL PLAN PROPOSAL

[Re]Connecting There are no lifestyle adjustment services or military deprogramming seminars; discharged servicemen are left to find their own way. At Veterans Enclave discharged servicemen and women, regardless of their standing, are heralded back into civilian society with all the glory and help they deserve.

Kendra Hexberg

ARCH 568- Hajo Neis ET. AL

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

SITE MARE ISLAND

FLOOR TWO

Vallejo Street Car Loop River Front Recreation Trail Existing Major Freeways

Bay Area Rapid Transit stops Vallejo Street Car Stops

I Donâ€™t have the drawings for this space yet. and the color scheme is what is in the upper left hand corner.

GROUND FLOOR

Section South North (extended) Section East-West (Extended

Building MODEL

Tectonics MODEL

Urban MODEL

Presentation

Final

Kendra Hexberg

ARCH 568- Hajo Neis ET. AL

North

East

South

West

URBAN AND REGIONAL PLAN PROPOSAL

MIND, BODY, SOUL CONNECTION: From the beginning this project has been about reconnecting. Reconnecting people with the water, reconnecting people with community, and reconnecting veteran’s to civilian society. The first connections were made regionally to make Vallejo a more desirable city to live, work, and play in. The three major broken connections in the City of Vallejo were: connection to the Greater Bay Area, connection to the water (San Pablo Bay), and an intercity rail line to connect the people to each other. To reconnect Vallejo to the Greater Bay Area I propose an extension of the BART train (Bay Area Rapid Transit) using the Richmond train line. The two new stops in Vallejo are proposed to directly connect to a new streetcar line. The Vallejo Streetcar is proposed as two separate lines; a loop that runs from the BART stops along highway 80 to Mare Island and back, and a linear loop that runs north-south along Vallejo’s major traffic artery. The last connection was devised to take back the waterfront property from big polluting industry and make it the north via the route 37 bridge. usable by the citizens of the City of Vallejo. Along the Napa River (The Mare Island Straight) there are only a few locations for people to access the water, The impetus of this project, is not the elaborate regional plan, but rather the these locations are also poorly maintained and might as well just be vacant lots. idea that veteran’s need help reconnecting with civilian society after returning I propose a large scale redevelopment of the waterfront property into a vibrant from combat zones. It is not that they are broken or in some way disinherited mixed-use community with 3 miles of waterfront access. The star of the new from civilian society, but rather they have lost touch with the speed and intenwaterfront community is a 6 mile long recreation loop that runs both sides of tions of civilian life. Left to their own devices only %10 of veterans are able to rethe Napa river, with crossings at the southern most point of Mare Island and at integrate without developing anti-social behaviors. These behaviors range from mental diagnosis like PTSD to agoraphobia. Veterans Enclave is here to help the %80 percent of veterans who suffer from PTSD like symptoms and other antisocial behaviors. These veterans benefit from reconnecting their mind, body, and soul with their community. By nurturing the mind, body, and soul through therapy, recreation, and career development; Veterans can begin to see how they are a part of a community again. Veterans Enclave is a place for veterans to reconnect their mind with the goals of civilian society, reconnect their body with the pace of daily life, and reconnect their soul with themselves. They have served our country; putting their mind, body, and soul into combat for the greater good; We should do more to help veterans return to the community that they were fighting for.

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

SITE MARE ISLAND

CITY VIEW

Vallejo Street Car Loop River Front Recreation Trail Existing Major Freeways

RIVER VIEW

Bay Area Rapid Transit stops Vallejo Street Car Stops

BAY VIEW

Floor TWO scale: 1’-0” = 1/16”

CISTERN

Floor ONE- Ground

scale: 1’-0” = 3/32”

West -- East-->

North-- South-->

Presentation - Final

Model Development

Models Final

Models - Final

Models - Finals

Models - Final

PART 3

Appendix

Process Images

A SOLDIERS BATTLE REINVESTMENT IN CIVILIAN LIFE

Many veterans returning from active duty service or better put, war, struggle with reintegrating into civilian life. Feelings range from loss of ones place in their own life, to anger over what happened while they were deployed. An estimated 10-11% of veterans suffer from PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. However, research suggests that the percentage of veterans suffering from PTSD goes up the longer they have been a part of civilian society without any form of reintegration. Studies have also shown that service members who have seen, experienced, or caused trauma while deployed have a harder time adjusting to civilian life. PTSD is not the only concern for returning veterans; Many struggle simply with finding a place that they feel needed, accepted, and productive. Some of the men and women returning from active duty service have never so much as filled out a job application, let alone interviewed for a position. In many cases there is an initial urge to do something that has interested them, such as returning to school or learning a new craft. The slow pace of civilian life can be challenging for many soldiers. The hectic or frenetic pace of war becomes to feel normal and becoming acclimatized to a slower pace of life doesn’t come easy for everyone. The tactic that is used by Veterans Affairs is to educate families, service members, and their children via pamphlets and seminars of the troubles that veterans may suffer upon returning home. While information can feel empowering at first, it can become clear soon afterwards that knowledge does not prevent PTSD or even unemployment. The packet of information doesn’t explain how to find a doctor, buying clothing and food, or establishing a support community.

BODY

MIND

SOUL

By investing in three core concepts of a healthy life, veterans can begin to build on their life experiences instead of feeling like they are weighed down by them.

PROSPECT AND REFUGE KEY CONCEPTS: 1. Areas we perceive as prospect 2. Areas we perceive as refuge 3. Adaptability of these areas over time 4. Conscious development of light levels 5. Ceiling Height 6. Clear transitions (space or otherwise) 7. Water ( Complements feelings of prospect and refuge.)

“I have trouble distinguishing the mundane from the critical, because everything seems critical.” (25 year veteran) Veterans Enclave is a place where veterans returning from war can come and “re-learn” the skills that they need to be comfortable in civilian society. From working one on one with counselors to talk about their experiences to learning how to communicate with their families, friends, and the community about what they need or want. Occupational placement services will be provided, as well as a full range of recreation opportunities, and an office dedicated to helping them find ways to give back to the community in a meaningful way. The three core concepts of Veterans Enclave are revitalizing the Mind, Body, and Soul.

The site chosen in Vallejo offers many geographical qualities that are conducive to the concept of Prospect and Refuge. On the southern most part of Mare Island, a former naval base, is formed into a very steep hill. This hill offers views of the City of Vallejo, San Pablo Bay, The Mare Island Straight (river), and on clear days Mt. Tamalpais and the San Francisco Bay. The hill, being very steep, allows for a vertical construction using the hill as refuge, the building as a means of climbing the steep elevation, and the view as prospect.

Drawing courtesy of Olson Kundig Architects

Regionally, Vallejo is only a small part of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. It doesn’t even reside on the San Francisco Bay, but north of it along the San Pablo Bay. Vallejo began as a “promise land” by General Mariano G. Vallejo. It has been the California State Capital twice, but it’s true claim to fame is the massive naval ship yard that serviced and constructed most of South Pacific Fleet in World War II. When The Mare Island Naval Base closed in 1996, the city began a downward spiral and to this day is still rising from the economic collapse almost a decade ago. The main focus for my regional plan is to give the city access to the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds it. Most of the waterfront is cluttered with industrial buildings, functioning and not functioning, and on Mare Island the closing of its naval functions have left abandoned and crumbling buildings. A recreation trail is proposed for both sides of the Mare Island Straight (river) with a pedestrian bridge to span the 2000’ river at the southern most point of Mare Island. The trail proposed is a multi function recreation trail with space for two directions of bike traffic and two directions of pedestrian traffic. Along the trail large and small park attractions are placed, to create a variety of ways to interact with the water and the recreation trail.

Sacramento River Bike Trail

Process Images North

VALLEJO

CALIF ORNIA

West

Veterans Enclave

35 30 25 20 15 10

There are no lifestyle adjustment services or military deprogramming seminars; discharged servicemen are left to find their own way. At Veterans Enclave discharged servicemen and women, regardless of their standing, are heralded back into civilian society with all the glory and help they deserve.

0% 10% 20% South

Wind

Kendra Hexberg

Annual Speed & Direction

ARCH 568- Hajo Neis ET. AL

4 in

October

December

November

July

August

September

May

April

June

March

January

VALLEJO CITY CENTER

Rainfall Annual in Inches 100 80 60 40

December

November

August

October

September

July

The tactic that is used by Veterans Affairs is to educate families, service members, and their MIND children via pamphlets and seminars of the trouSOUL bles that veterans may suffer upon returning home. While information can feel empowering at first, it can become clear soon afterwards that knowledge does not prevent PTSD or even unemployment. The packet of information doesn’t The site chosen in Vallejo offers many geographexplain how to find a doctor, buying clothing and ical qualities that are conducive to recovery. The food, or establishing a support group in their southern most part of Mare Island, a former nacommunity. val base, is formed into a very steep hill. This hill offers views of the City of Vallejo, San Pablo Bay, The Mare Island Straight (river), and on clear “I have trouble distinguishing the days Mt. Tamalpais and the San Francisco Bay. The hill poses a challenge in building, but the benmundane from the critical, because evefits of the site outweigh its downfalls. Located erything seems critical.” directly adjacent to the Mare Island Straight rec(25 year veteran) reation trail, Veterans that reside at this facility will be able to use the trail and all of the amenities along it to enhance their recovery and reintegration.

May

April

BODY

1 in 0 in

June

ing a new craft, but the interest wanes as they encounter barriers to success. The slow pace of civilian life can be challenging for many soldiers. The hectic or frenetic pace of war becomes to feel normal and becoming acclimatized to a slower pace of life doesn’t come easy for everyone.

3 in 2 in

February

The three core concepts of Veterans Enclave are revitalizing the Mind, Body, and Soul. By focusing on three concepts of recovery while siPTSD is not the only concern for returning multaneously learning the skills they need to be veterans; Many struggle simply with finding a a productive member in civilian society Veterans place and that they feel needed, accepted, and can quickly recover from the trauma of combat. productive. Some of the men and women reVeterans Enclave is primarily focused on turning from active duty service have never so much as filled out a job application, let alone helping the 80% of veterans who return from interviewed for a position. In many cases there combat and are apparently mentally sound, but is an initial urge to do something that has inter- due to lack of experience in civilian society, evenested them, such as returning to school or learn- tually develop anti-social behavior.

March

Veterans Enclave is a place where veterans returning from war can come and “re-learn” or learn for the first time the skills that they need to be comfortable in civilian society. From working one on one with counselors to talk about their experiences to learning how to communicate with their families, friends, and the community about what they need or want. Occupational placement services will be provided, as well as a full range of recreation opportunities, and an office dedicated to helping them find ways to give back to the community in a meaningful way.

January

REINVESTMENT IN CIVILIAN LIFE

5 in

February

A VETERAN’S BATTLE Many veterans returning from combat struggle with reintegrating into civilian life. Feelings range from loss of ones place in their own life, to anger over what happened while they were deployed. An estimated 10-11% of veterans suffer from PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. However, research suggests that the percentage of veterans suffering from PTSD goes up the longer they have been a part of civilian society without any form of reintegration. Studies have also shown that service members who have seen, experienced, or caused trauma while deployed have a harder time adjusting to civilian life.

East

OAKLAND SAN FRANCISCO

*100 is Completely overcast

Cloud Cover

MARE ISLAND

High, Average, & Low

Street Car loop Mare Island Straight Recreation Trail Major Highways

Building Design Sketches

The Coming Home Project San Francisco

Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing expert, compassionate care, support, education, and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, service members, their families, and their care providers. We are an experienced team of psychotherapists, veterans and interfaith leaders committed to alleviating the unseen wounds of war. Our nationally recognized, evidence-based programs address the emotional, social, moral, and spiritual injuries and the family challenges experienced during all stages of deployment, especially reintegration. Since 2006, Coming Home Project has provided a range of services including Group Support and Stress Management Retreats for Veterans and Their Families, Female Veterans, Student Veterans, and Care Providers, Veteran Toolkit Workshops, Equine Assisted Workshops, Training and Self Care for Service Providers, and Community Education and Consultation. In the San Francisco Bay Area Psychological Counseling Services remain continuously available. All programs are free, confidential, non-partisan and non-denominational.

Project Next steps: Urban Design Sketches

1. Residential building 2. Urban design details 3. Elaboration and fine tuning of facades 4. Fine tuning interior spaces 5. In depth look at tectonics 6. Connection to recreation trail and water for veterans enclave 7. Detailing topography changes and elaborate on landscape 8. Parking 9. Regional Plan Elaboration 10. Outdoor Gathering Spaces

3 6 5 7 PATTERNS FOR THE CITY 1. Local Transport Areas 2. Web of Public Transportation 3. Access to the Water 4. Activity Nodes 5. Promenade 6. Work Community 7. Necklace of Community Projects 8. Main Gateways 9. Road Crossing 10. Accessible Green 11. Small Public Squares 12. Public Outdoor Room 13. Paths & Goals 14. Activity Pockets

8 9

PATTERNS FOR THE BUILDING 15. Building Complex 16. Circulation Realms 17. Shared Plaza *** 18. Main Building 19. Site Repair 20. Positive Outdoor Space 21. Main Entrance off the plaza 22. Common Areas at the Heart 23. Efficient Structure 24. Good Materials 25. Entrances toward the plaza *** 26. Large Entrance Lobby***

13 URBAN DESIGN- WHAT’S WHERE

Final Presentation - Winter Quarter

1- Linear Parks on old docks, coastal dams, and the sea wall. 2. Meditation garden 3. Public Pool (Olympic size aquatic training center) 4. Open parks to support community activities along the recreation trail. 5. Larger and still salvageable buildings converted to parking and commercial uses. 6. Smaller buildings converted into support for Recreation trail 7.Mare Island Straight Recreation Trail 8. Rock Climbing Gym 9. Pedestrian Bridge (200’) 10. “Urban” farm 11. Boating Center (paddle craft) 12. Veteran’s Enclave 13. Scenic Vista Point 14. Salt Marsh Recovery along South and West coasts of Mare Island, with preservation of historic bunkers that are salvageable.

Process Images

Classroom

Group Therapy Group Therapy

Office Office Open Office

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

N FLOOR 02- 3/32” = 1’ - 0”

Group

Therapy

Group

Indiv.

Therapy

Indiv. Indiv.

Therapy

Group

Therapy

Physical Therapy

Therapy

Indiv. Therapy

Group Therapy

Indiv.

Therapy Therapy Therapy Therapy

Stor. RR

GYM RR

FLOOR 00- 3/32” = 1’ - 0” Reception

Open Office Office Office Office

Kitchen

Eating Commons

Confer.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

N GROUND 01- 3/32” = 1’ - 0”

MAIN ENTRANCE- 1/8” = 1’ - 0” PLAZA (north-south)- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

PLAZA (west-east)- 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

Process Images

Process Sketches - Winter Quarter

Process Images

Process Images Veterans Enclave

Kendra Hexberg

ARCH 568- Hajo Neis ET. AL

PTSD is not the only concern for returning veterans; Many struggle simply with finding a place and that they feel needed, accepted, and productive. Some of the men and women returning from active duty service have never so much as filled out a job application, let alone interviewed for a position. In many cases there is an initial urge to do something that has interested them, such as returning to school or learning a new craft, but the interest wanes as they encounter barriers to success. The slow pace of civilian life can be chal-

lenging for many soldiers. The hectic or frenetic what they need or want. Occupational placement pace of war becomes to feel normal and becom- services will be provided, as well as a full range ing acclimatized to a slower pace of life doesn’t of recreation opportunities, and an office dedicated to helping them find ways to give back to come easy for everyone. the community in a meaningful way. The tactic that is used by Veterans Affairs is The three core concepts of Veterans Enclave to educate families, service members, and their children via pamphlets and seminars of the trou- are revitalizing the Mind, Body, and Soul. By fobles that veterans may suffer upon returning cusing on three concepts of recovery while sihome. While information can feel empowering multaneously learning the skills they need to be at first, it can become clear soon afterwards that a productive member in civilian society Veterans knowledge does not prevent PTSD or even un- can quickly recover from the trauma of combat. employment. The packet of information doesn’t Veterans Enclave is primarily focused on helpexplain how to find a doctor, buying clothing and food, or establishing a support group in their ing the 80% of veterans who return from combat and are apparently mentally sound, but due to lack community. of experience in civilian society, eventually devel“I have trouble distinguishing the op anti-social behavior. The site chosen in Vallejo mundane from the critical, because evoffers many geographical qualities that are conducive to recovery. The southern most part of erything seems critical.” Mare Island, a former naval base, is formed into a (25 year veteran) very steep hill. This hill offers views of the City of Veterans Enclave is a place where veterans Vallejo, San Pablo Bay, The Mare Island Straight returning from war can come and “re-learn” or (river), and on clear days Mt. Tamalpais and the learn for the first time the skills that they need to San Francisco Bay. be comfortable in civilian society. From working The hill poses a challenge in building, but one on one with counselors to talk about their experiences to learning how to communicate with the benefits of the site outweigh its downfalls. their families, friends, and the community about Located directly adjacent to the Mare Island

trian bridge to span the 2000’ river at the southern most point of Mare Island. The trail proposed is a multi function recreation trail with space for two directions of bike traffic and two directions of pedestrian traffic. Along the trail large and small park attractions are placed, to create a variety of ways to interact with the water and the recreation trail.

BODY

MIND

SOUL

Regionally, Vallejo is only a small part of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. It doesn’t even reside on the San Francisco Bay, but north of it along the San Pablo Bay. Vallejo began as a “promise land” by General Mariano G. Vallejo. It has been the California State Capital twice, but Straight recreation trail, Veterans that reside at it’s true claim to fame is the massive naval ship this facility will be able to use the trail and all of yard that serviced and constructed most of South the amenities along it to enhance their recovery Pacific Fleet in World War II. and reintegration. When The Mare Island Naval Base closed in The main focus for my regional plan is to give 1996, the city began a downward spiral and to the city access to the beautiful natural landscape this day is still rising from the economic collapse that surrounds it. Most of the waterfront is clut- almost a decade ago. tered with industrial buildings, functioning and not functioning, and on Mare Island the closing of its naval functions have left abandoned and crumbling buildings. A recreation trail is proposed for both sides of the Mare Island Straight (river) with a pedes-

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