A Transitional Place of LOVE

School of Visual Arts | New York NY

Project idea

Project Brief:
America has the highest percent of children living in single parent household in the world at 23%. This project is a transitional home designed for families who was been through trauma and incarceration
and their child. The inhabitants will live in this “HOME” for three months. While working to pay for their lodging is a valuable opportunity to make connections and get to know their children more when living together.

Design Intention:
“Family” plays an influential role in a person’s life, especially for people
who were incarcerated. Parents always look after their children since they are born. However, this is the time for children to show their love, help, and support to their parent. With the children’s help, they are more likely to get back to the life they hoped to have.

I aim to create an enjoyable spatial experience for the parent and their
children to stay and spend as much time together as possible. This home is not only a resting space but also a playground for creating joyful memories.

Project description

Design Concept- Turning & Merging:
The words “Turning” and “Merging” could best represent my design inspiration. Taking two cubical forms- Twisted and Untwisted, each representing the parent’s side (people who have been through trauma) and the children’s side. By merging the two cubical forms, creating a typical HOUSE shape in the center- symbolizing the two sides of people getting together, people who were incarcerated are ready to be back to their family and turn their lives back with the help of their children.

Parti Diagram:
The strategy is to create a form of turning and merging through subtraction and addition.

Design Goal & Strategies:
I intend to create a space where the PARENTS could stay to rest and recover. It is also a playground for the CHILDREN to play and get
to know their parent simultaneously.
- The front large opening window allows sunlight
into the interior space throughout the day.
- Incorporating a Terrace at the back of the room
allows the parent to have their own private space
to have fresh air.
- Create a climbing experience where children can
play through the space.

Technical information

Solar Tile Roof:
- The two sides of the roof would be designed as customized solar tile roof, which is self generated and provides energy for the interior space during the nighttime.

Water Harvesting:
- Between each solar roof tile would have trenches to gather water that would go down to the water tank under the entrance platform for storage and daily use.

Modular Strategy:
By dividing the house into three different parts- the top and the bottom of the front diamond shape and the entire back part of the house. Would be able to fit the truck bed if it is prefabricated at the off-site factory and then transferred to the construction site to assemble it. However, it could also be shipped flat-packed, saving more space while transferring.