If homelessness is reevaluated by introducing community based adaptable shelters, then this new shelter typology will produce a positive qualitative change in the perception of homelessness.
This will be proven true by creating a new positive architectural symbol for the typology of homeless shelters. This thesis will evaluate a possible solution to a major societal issue, while simultaneously challenging an environmental one. The project will attempt to address the issue of homelessness by introducing a new homeless shelter typology to house individuals on the street. Through design, the new shelter typology will attempt to alter the perception of homelessness and homeless shelters. Additionally, on a larger scale, the project will reassess construction and design methodology to address the issues of construction waste, providing a solution to increase sustainability within the building and construction industry.
Misconception, stigma, and prejudice have a direct impact on the physical well being of homeless people. Stigmatization and negative perception of the homeless is caused by errant public belief, and misconceptions that the homeless are to be feared or shunned. Altering this perception could have a quantifiable and qualitative positive
impact on the physical health and well being of homeless individuals. The first step in altering public perception of homelessness is to establish the misconception of homelessness. Establishing the stigmatization allows for the general public to become sensitive and educated regarding the subject of homelessness. Therefore, regarding homelessness, sensibility and understanding could introduce and allow for positive societal impact. This project will address the misconception, stigma, and prejudice of homelessness through an architectural intervention.
The new typology will seek to alter the traditional characteristics of outdated, overcrowded, and unsuccessful homeless shelters. These spaces are typically perceived with a negative connotation, and they have a right to be. Traditional shelters are a temporary solution to a deeply rooted problem. They are typically dark, overcrowded, and offer little or no form of rehabilitation. Current shelters are designed to simply house as many people as possible, “sometimes being so dilapidated, violent, and dirty, that people actually prefer to sleep outside” (NPR, 2012). To mitigate these issues, architectural intervention will attempt to alter the public perception of homelessness through a new shelter typology. By creating a positive reinforcing symbol, this new shelter typology will ultimately attempt to alter the perception of homelessness, simultaneously reducing homelessness as a whole.
Research has long demonstrated the effects of physical spaces on human moods and behaviors (Pable, 2018). Shelters have a huge influence on how residents see
themselves and the world. Just as a bank or museum is recognized through architectural semiotics, homeless shelters will do the same. By implementing the new typology, homeless shelters have the possibility of no longer being perceived with a negative connotation, but as an element of community based growth.
The second step will reconsider construction typology entirely. As an industry, the construction of the built environment is extremely wasteful. The built environment contributes to nearly 41 percent of the U.S. energy consumption (“Energy Use by,” 2016). However, of the entire built environment, the physical construction process is the most inefficient and largest pollution contributor. It is estimated that an equivalency of thirty precent of the weight of materials delivered to a construction site will end up in a landfill. According to the EPA, that is about 548 million tons of construction waste each year (“Sustainable Management of,” 2015). The waste is often caused by the demolition of vacant buildings that have become no longer useful. As highly specific building typologies such as shopping malls, movie theaters, and apartment buildings are created, they are designed for a single highly specific use. These buildings are eventually left empty, and become difficult to reuse. Rethinking the typology of construction through adaptability, a new building typology has the potential to extend the life span of a building, becoming useful for many various uses and needs over a single building life span. The process of introducing program adaptability and flexibility to the built environment would ultimately reduce waste and increase efficiency.
The third step in mitigating the stigmatization of homeless people is to introduce community. Establishing a sense of community creates a sense of belonging, mutual support, responsibility, and lasting relationships. Through design interventions in the built environment, a sense of community can be introduced into the rehabilitation process. According to Dr. Mary McColl and others, “the chief advantage of the community based rehabilitation (CBR) approach is that it typically results in broader, more far-reaching effects than that could be achieved on a one-to-one basis” (McColl, et al., 2009). Introducing the same practices of community based rehabilitation to the built environment, will provide for a greater rate of rehabilitation. Not only by providing community based rehabilitation, but by providing community integration, the new shelter typology will provide a platform for long term change and integration. The shelters will provide not only rehabilitation for the homeless, but also for the communities in which they are placed. Through education and skill building, homeless individuals will be provided with the option of becoming viable members of society by contributing and positively impacting the communities in which they live.
References
Energy Use by Buildings and the Built Environment. (2016). Building Green. Retrieved September 21, 2018, from https://www.buildinggreen.com/ blog/ energy-use-buildings-and-built-environment
Housing First. (2016). National Alliance to End Homelessness. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/resource/housing-first/
McColl, M, et al. (2009). Models for Integrating Rehabilitation and Primary Care: A Scoping Study. Clinical Management Review.
NPR. (2012) Why some Homeless Choose the Streets Over Shelters. [Podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2012/12/06/166666265/why-some- homeless-choose-the-streets-over-shelters
Pable, J. (2018). Shelter Design can Help People Recover From Homelessness.Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/07/shelter-design- can- help-people-recover-from-homelessness/564710/
Sustainable Management of Construction and Demolition Materials. (2015). United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved from https:// www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-construction-and- demolition- materials