Futures Without Violence
Domestic violence shelters are usually located in remote areas with tall, thick walls, causing the victims to feel like they are being put in prison while the abusers are able to live comfortably outside. How can a shelter benefit survivors beyond just providing a place to stay?
Futures Without Violence Domestic Violence Shelter provides for homeless women, domestic violence survivors, sexual assault victims, and their children food and housing for up to 2 years, counseling and legal services, vocational training, and other long-term solutions that prepare them for a new, independent stage of life.
Futures Without Violence is my senior capstone project completed in May 2019. It is the conceptual design for a 4645 sq.m (50,000 sq.ft., 4 floors and a rooftop) domestic violence shelter for women and children in need.
Awards received:
2019 Design Impacts Lives Award by American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) - Washington Metro Chapter
Category: Concept Design - Student
2019 Best in Show Award at Marymount University Interior Design Senior Show
Category: Undergraduate
You’re welcome to review my process book for the entire project, including research, programming, design development and reflective analysis:
The design is inspired by the cocoon, which is uninviting on the outside, while providing a safe and nourishing environment inside, shielding the caterpillar until it’s ready to break out as a beautiful butterfly.
The building has a vertical intimacy gradient. Public spaces like offices, training rooms, counseling rooms are located on level 1. Level 2 consists of semi-private spaces that are frequently used by residents and a central courtyard. Level 3 and 4 are most private areas that are accessible only to residents and 24/7 support staff.
Programming and zoning are as follow:
Level 1: Lobby, security office, attorney offices, counseling rooms, multi-purpose training rooms, open office, private offices, conference rooms, staff lounge, staff lockers, commercial kitchen
Level 2: Dining courtyard, food court, library, computer labs, fitness center, art therapy, music therapy, pediatric therapy, infant daycare, health clinic
Level 3: Residential units (families), laundry, residents’ shared kitchen, children’s play area, security office
Level 4: Residential units (single women), laundry, communal lounge
Level 5: Rooftop garden
Safety
The building has multiple security offices, equipped with two-way glass windows that have decorative graphic, so residents can stay safe without feeling like they are being watched. All entrances require ID check. Rooftop and balcony are highly secure outdoor spaces which can’t be physically or visually invaded by outsiders and/or abusers.
Recovery
The shelter uses patterns of bioliphic design to support healing and promote well-being. Indoor planters and skylight allow connection with nature through visual, haptic and olfactory stimuli. The open courtyard in biomorphic form mimics the wrapping protective effect of a cocoon. Different types of apartment and communal spaces accommodate special needs of different resident groups (single women, mothers, children), give them a sense of control, self-worth and confidence.
Community
Residents acquire a sense of community and emotional support by sharing apartments, cooking and dining together, and gathering in communal spaces. Tables and chairs are arranged along the walkway above the central courtyard to encourage informal interaction.
Sustainability
The central courtyard reduces energy used for lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation. Rooftop garden reduces heat and collects stormwater which is stored in water tanks. Solar collector system is also equipped to produce clean energy.