Yufei Zheng_ Senior Thesis_2021

Mental Wellness and Community Center for Single-Parent Family Senior Thesis Yufei Zheng BFA 2021

Mental Wellness and Community Center Single-Parent Family with Children Under 18

The thesis project is a mental wellness and community center for single-parent families with children under 18. I am motivated because I came from a single-parent family. In addition, there is the issue of mental health problems occurring in a single-parent family. Through the research, survey, and interview that I had done, plus my own experience, I found a need for a space that can help this specific type of family. The Connected Community Center is a comfortable place for single-parent families. It is a place designed for them to gather, connect, find support and comfort among people who have a similar experience, create a community, and improve their mental health. The center provides space to learn new skills and knowledge, make friends, get professional support, and bond a stronger parental relationship. The community center’s ultimate goal is to support the self-care of single parents and continually impact their lives in the future.

Programs Professional support

Community support Cafe

Individual family counsel office (Mental)

Lobby + reception desk

Group counsel space (Mental)

Item swap shop

Parents can exchange items like kids

clothes, toys, etc.

Resource office (Financial)

Available government support and

job search.

Bonding between parent and child Playground Relax space Changing room Group exercise class

Kids friendly activities like

Zomba, dance, etc, that the

family can do together.

Skills and knowledge that bring positive influence to the family life and makes their life easier.

Classroom

Parenting, learn what kids like, etc.

Cooking class

Learn how to cook fast and

healthy food.

Workshop

DIY, hands on work, hair

braiding, etc.

Diagram: Massing

Active/noise Semi active/noise Less active/noise

Project Site: 122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA (BHM) In a residential area that is semi quiet.

Surrounded by population of singleparent households.

Access to natural light and green space.

Access to public transportation and parking near by site.

Site sections

Site map

N

Project Site

West Elevation

Sun Path Diagram

South Elevation

Concept: Separated but Connected

To connect different entities and gather as a community but still keep its own identity.

We are two different families, but we feel connected through our similar experiences.

Concept Diagrams: relationship/connection between two entities.

Concept models

Concept Sketch

Final Material/ Color/ Finish Palette Baby Blue Eye Wall color, custom mill work, furniture, countertop, flooring

Terrazzo Flooring

White Oak Flooring, custom mill work Summer Clover Furniture, wall color Terrazzo graphic Wall-covering Florentine Lapis Wall color, custom mill work, furniture, countertop, flooring First Light Wall color, custom mill work, furniture, flooring

Golden Straw Wall color, custom mill work, furniture

Blushing Pink Wall color, custom mill work, furniture,

Tile with colored grout Wall-covering, reception desk Mariposa Wall color, custom mill work, furniture, countertop, flooring

Calypso Berry Wall color, custom mill work, furniture, countertop, flooring

Brick Existing interior wall *Notes All the Wall Colors Are From Gildden Paint

Final Floor Plans Restroom

Staff Room Up

Resource Office

Up

Up Changing Rooms

Cafe Family Restrooms

Main Entrance

Lobby

Mechanical Room Lobby

Exercise Room #1

Workshop/ Cooking Class

Housekeeping

Relax Space

Classroom/ Group Counsel Individual Counsel Office

Item Swap Shop

Exercise Room #2

Sprinkler Room

Crawl Space

Crawl Space

Crawl Space

Playground

Side Entrance

Second Floor Plan (NTS)

First Floor Plan (NTS)

Basement Floor Plan (NTS)

Ceiling Design Inspirations

Ceiling Design: Stretchy Fabric Mimicking Cloud Like

Ceiling Design: Paper Lantern

Ceiling Design: Ribbon

Final Reflected Ceiling Plans 12’-6” 12’-6”

10’-0”

9’-1” 10’-0”

10’-0” 10’-0”

14’-1” 13’-2” 14’-1”

14’-1”

14’-1” 13’-2” 13’-2” 14’-1”

Second Floor RCP (NTS)

First Floor RCP (NTS)

Basement RCP (NTS)

Longitudinal Section (NTS)

Cut Through Swap Shop, Cafe, Resource Office, Hallways, and Individual Counsel Room

Transverse Section (NTS)

Cut Through Playground, Workshop, Group Exercise Room, and Classroom

Section Perspective

Cut Through Swap Shop, Cafe, Resource Office, Classroom, Individual Counsel Room, and Group Exercise Rooms

Cafe (First Floor)

Tiptoe Side Chair

Round Table*

*Notes Finishes in Furniture Photo is not the one used in the Project

Hallway (First Floor)

Inspiration Concept Model: Use Hallway as a Connector Between Each Room

Inspiration Concept Model: Explore Creative Ceiling Design

Relax Space (First Floor)

Westinghouse Massage Chair

Herman Miller Lounge Chair

Custom Divider and End Table

Playground (First Floor)

Breakout Space in Playground (First Floor)

Inspiration Concept Model: Explore Possibility of the Tiny Extension Spaces

Enlarged Floor Plan

Balloon Wall Sconce Light

Concept Diagram

Resource Office (Second Floor)

Steelcase Wire Frame Chair

Herman Miller Desk Chair

Herman Miller Pullman Chair

Classroom/Group Counsel (Second Floor)

Arrangement #2

Steelcase Mobile Desk

Stacking Chair

Breakout Space in Classroom (Second Floor)

Enlarged Floor Plan

Elevation (NTS)

Sphere Pendant Light

Individual Counsel Office (Second Floor)

Herman Miller Lounge chair*

The Future Perfect Floor Lamp

Custom End Table

Herman Miller Sofa*

Custom Coffee Table

*Notes Finishes in Furniture Photos Are not those used in the Project

Workshop/Cooking Class (Second Floor)

Steelcase Counter Stool

Arrangement #2 Custom Kitchen Helper

Cosco Mobile Work Table

Item Swap Shop (Basement)

Inspiration Concept Model: Use Color Strips as a Connector

Concept Sketch

Thank You