Independent Research Project Youth Homelessness

Reflection Journal

Sam Massey

3272904

Summary/Research/Programming (Stage1)

Precedent studies (Stage 3)

Site Analysis (Stage 4)

Concepts (Stage 5)

Conceptual Design (Final Submission)

Summary / Research / Programming

Summary / Research / Programming Tutor: Dr. Paola Favaro

Studio: Independent Research Design

Studio Program:

1. Readings, narrative and imagination

2. Building investigations: Precedent studies.

3. Site Investigation and analysis.

4. Conceptual investigation and designs.

Summary

Throughout my university education, studios work within the predefined context, programs and site, here we explored our own limits, imagination and passions for an architectural project. The studio worked directly with a strong emphasis on our own method of research, analysis and representation of our research topic.

My topic for my masters project is to create a development of a safe, secure and friendly community where the homeless youth of Inner City Sydney can find shelter, affordable accommodation and onsite support for a more independent life.

As a studio we explored areas of: 1. self directed written, visual and verbal investigation, 2. The study of buildings and architects, 3. Site location, analysis and response, 4. conceptual/interpretation of design solutions for a preliminary design.

This reflection journal is used as a resource that will be in a state of constant update mode and used as a resource of ideas and knowledge for the coming semester.

My Literature review will be edited with additional readings and research I have done over the whole semester.

History

Outline

Woolloomooloo developed around the shoreline; market gardens grew to feed Sydney and fresh fish were caught and sold on the sandy harbour shore of the Woolloomooloo Bay. In the first part of the 19th Century the Woolloomooloo area was the home of civic leaders, judges and rich merchants. It became a desirable area, close to a beautiful bay and close to Government House.

Mansions housing and large gardens were built with a short carriage ride to the heart of the colony. At the end of the 19th century, as roads and logistics improved, business people moved out and small factories moved closer to the ports.

A change in population and gentrification of the inner city area saw big houses became boarding houses and grand homes were demolished to build workers terraced housing, local shops, cafes and hotels. This change saw the Woolloomooloo area as a lively community, which is still evident today.

Between 1911 and 1915, the Sydney Harbour Trust built the Woolloomooloo Bay Finger Wharf as a wool-shipping wharf, one of the world's largest wooden buildings.

The wharf helped Australia to grow on the back of the sheep exports and farewelled the ANZAC fleet leaving Sydney for Gallipoli. In the mid 20th century, the area has made way for affordable/social housing. Protests saw that the high rises of a growing Sydney stayed clear of the Woolloomooloo bay area to retain its character.

Historical Map 1855 – Woolloomooloo Bay – Site N/A Historical Map 1888 Industrial yards and working housing

Site located on reclaimed land

Housing

Industry Yards

Hotel

Historic Maps

Proposed Increase Street Width, New Streets Proposed & Public Transport by Sydney City Council

Site Formally a Service Station Date Unknown

History Map 1903

The design should spatially respond to the surrounding context

There is a wide range of materials used around the site. On each potential elevation the context include both old and contemporary buildings. By looking at the gradient between colours of old and new materials, potential facade finishes emerge.

The design should be influenced by the pattern of growth and decline in the Woolloomooloo Bay area

Past colonial, War time and contemporary Sydney can be seen in the Woolloomooloo Bay area. A period of decline in the 1900’s is visible with the working cottages erected in place of Victorian terrace mansions. Finger wharf is a iconic building to Sydney that now symbolises wealth and high quality, in the past it was used to load good, men and women during WW2. The bay is now being regenerated, with several sites currently being developed.

Steel

Brick & Pot Plants

Community Gardens

Brick Paving

Concrete

Materials and Textures

Lifestyle

Precedent Studies

Precedent study summary ST VINCENT DE PAUL VILLAGE

SAN DIEGO, USA

ST VINCENT DE PAUL VILLAGE

VILLAGE PROGRAMS •Addiction Treatment Education Centre •Assessment Centre •Career & Education Centre •Case Management •Chaplaincy •Children’s Services •Culinary Arts Program •Food Services •Guest Services •Health Services •Josue Homes/National AIDS Foundation •Mental Health Services •Mobile Health Clinic •Short-term Transitional Housing •Long-term Transitional Housing •Permanent Housing •VCARE – Village Comprehensive Approach to Reach and Empower

THE VILLAGE VISION We envision a community where all people have the opportunity to live to their full potential; where everyone has food, housing, healthcare, education and the means to maintain them. THE VILLAGE MISSION Our Mission is to help our neighbours in need break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by promoting self-sufficiency through an innovative continuum of care, multi-disciplinary programs and partnerships that come together in the spirit of our CREED to teach, learn from and challenge our neighbours and one another.

Precedent study summary CODA STUDIOS – MANDURAH SCHEME

CODA studio is Western Australia architecture practice with a portfolio of residential, urban and commercial projects as well as undertaking pro-bono work to assist community based groups and/or projects. Competition winners of the ‘Think Brick: About face awarding 2009 for its design of a socially responsive architectural design for a solution to youth homelessness in AA Mandurah by variety of programs. - Affordable accommodation - Onsite support - Internet lounge - Resource centre - Classroom and lecture rooms - Community hall - Community garden - Hostel - Commercial and retail space CODA’s approach was to create an entire community including youth hostel and support services. Retail and commercial space would add income to the centre. Integrating the community allows the youth to have great access to support form either a wider community or through the centre itself. Materiality , colour and form are important to address the site, locality and function of the building. Brick provides a stable, homely and message that the centre is there to stay.

Precedent study summary EDWARD EAGER LODGE – WESLEY MISSION

Edward Eagar Lodge is a crisis accommodation hostel situated in Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney with 24 hour staffing. The Lodge gives hostel accommodation for seventy-six single people ranging in age from 18 years to 80+ years. There are 13 women and 63 men accommodated for up to 3 months. Single rooms provide privacy, dignity, and personal space and secure storage for belongings. Edward Eagar Lodge has a comprehensive support program, which looks at physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual, vocational and recreational needs. The program operates from Sunday to Friday and incorporates:

• A church service • Recovery groups • Bible Discovery • Self-development • Living skill support groups

• Free counselling • Recreational activities • Periodic in house clinics and regular visits

by the local mental health team • Interagency networking • The program is open to all in the

community.

Precedent study summary Program Analysis

PROGRAM ARRANGEMENT

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SEPARATE CORRIDOR ARRANGEMENT BEDROOM AND LIVING/SOCIAL AREAS LOCATED TOGETHER TRAINING, OFFICE AND SUPPORT AREAS LOCATED GROUND FLOOR FOR CLIENTS AND RESIDENTS LARGE COMMUNAL AREAS

CODA STUDIOS – MANDURAH SCHEME PERTH, AUS

EDWARD EAGER LODGE – WESLEY MISSION SYDNEY, AUS

ST VINCENT DE PAUL VILLAGE SAN DIEGO, USA

Comprises of 176 one, two and three bedroom apartments. The buildings form response to an overall master plan of the area. The U shape floor plan creates a social/meeting area for the residents. Restrictions imposed on the site and brief created an abstract form of a pitched roof apartment block. Hierarchical façade , with larger rooms expressing themselves with more window openings , and one in which this fenestration does not repeat itself over the buildings 8 storeys.

Precedent study summary Social Housing, Madrid Spain David Chipperfield

Precedent study summary Social Housing Floor Plans

Precedent study summary Social Housing Elevation

External Living Areas – Views over the historic city and towards the distant mountain Glazing and windows frame views of the cliff, allow solar access and create a lightness to a 80m long concrete building. The form is shaped by its topography. Between a sheer cliff face and historic buildings the student housing is elevated to allow a translucent ground floor to not dominate surround the buildings

Precedent study summary Student Hostel, Glockengasse, Salzburg, Austria Peter Edner & Gunter Eckerstorfer

Precedent study summary Student Hostel Floor Plans

Function Analysis Diagram

Schedule of Accommodation Outdoors Parking 1 Disabled space 4 Administration spaces Community Garden/s Areas for passive recreation (reading, relaxing, viewing, socialising) Area for services (bins, storage) Controlled Rear service access to/from Bland Street Controlled security access for residence and staff to/from Nicholson Street Indoors Administration Reception Administration Office Staff toilets Storage Small Consumer Outlet (adjacent to administration area for management) Public Areas Kitchen (one to serve hostel) Dining room (20-people minimum in-door capacity) and adjacent out-door areas Recreational areas Training facilities (classrooms/mixed use rooms - Support to client ratio – 1:4) Viewing Areas Private Areas Bedrooms (20-bed minimum) - Each tenant rents a room or bed on a month-to-month basis. Toilets Bathrooms Additional Areas: Delivery (adjacent to kitchen with direct access from street) Refuse Area (adjacent to kitchen with direct access from street)

Brief and Space Requirements This project is to design a youth homeless support centre for youth aged between 16 – 24 years - The major focus for this group is training and employment. Functionally, the project will be a collaboration effort of government and not-for-profit organisations, it must respond to the street, community, and the surrounding buildings. It also has to respond to the basic environmental conditions: Sun paths, rainfall, wind, noise, movement etc. The transitional space between boundaries is important in this project – from the street to a bed, training & work experience to self-independence, and community/public interaction with the centre. Another layer of context that the project needs to react to is not only surrounding buildings but consists of natural elements like view and landmarks; such as harbour and city skyline; and connections to support centres and accommodation that exists in the CBD and inner city areas. The existing shelters and support centres - here in Australia and abroad – adopt different models to suite the locality. E.g. Common Ground in New York or The Foyer in The UK. To suite the selected Woolloomooloo site a mixed foyer model will be adopted for the design and programming of the centre. The success of the centre will be in its training and education with charitable organisations – with existing experience in youth service - like Mission Australia and Wesley mission. These youth service programs are as follows: Drug and alcohol awareness program Post-release support program - works with adolescents who have left detention Employment skills program for adolescents leaving detention Links to learning programs Job Placement Employment and Training program Group activities Other issues to be considered including: access to appropriate and affordable accommodation, access to services, culture, ethnic groups, sexuality issues, and homophobia, safety and health issues.

Site Analysis

Location Plan

Sydney, Woolloomooloo

BoM

Daylight

7.1 hr. per day (8.2 Nov. / 5.7 May)

1981 -2010

Temperature:

Mean Max. – 22.5 (26.5 Jan/Feb)

Mean Min. – 14.5 (8.7 July)

Rainfall:

Mean rainfall (mm) – 1223.3 (137 April / 70.1 Sept.)

97.6 days of rain greater/equal to 1mm

Site area – 500sq. m. x 1223.3mm = 611,650L per year

= 611,650/12 = 50,970L per month on average.

Site Analysis 56 Nicholson St, Woolloomooloo Shadow Diagrams

21 June 9 am

21 June 12 noon

21 June 3 pm

Site Response

Site Analysis Sketched on-site

Access to exg. communities

Photos

56 Nicholson Street

56 Nicholson Street – View North

56 Nicholson Street – View South

56 Nicholson Street – View West 56 Nicholson Street – View East

Photos

Artspace Visual Arts Centre

Dowling Street Terraces

Forbes Street – Quiet Street

Cowper Wharf Road

DCP/Sustainable Sydney 2030

Identified Homeless Areas

Homeless Shelters & Centres

Links/network with existing services for an integrated support community

Concepts

Mass Model

Arrangement 1 Arrangement 2 Arrangement 3 Arrangement 3

Arrangement 4 Arrangement 5 Arrangement 6

Accommodation located near housing on the site. Commercial to the west. Green space integrated.

Rotated to have commercial aspect of the design to the main street. Shades green/active space

Rotated to have Accommodation aspect of the design to the main street. Street frontage address existing terraces

The bland street view allows good solar access throughout the building. Commercial and training areas located away from public view.

Locating training and support facilities on ground floor with living areas located upper floors. Does not address street frontage. Creates large outdoor area.

Rotate training and support areas, lower accommodation ‘block’. Encloses green space.

Lift section of the accommodation to allow flow through site. Green terrace.

Spatial Arrangement Concepts/Mass Model from Stage 5 Review

Mass Model on Site Mass Model and Proposed Reuse of Hotel

Concepts – Sketches from journal

Fly Over Model Video

Pedestrian Paths

Green/Cycle Way Extended to Site

Movement Diagram

Conceptual Design

REGULAR ‘PLOTS’ REGULAR BUILDINGS REGULAR SHAPE

= EASY CONSTRUCTION

= EASY REPRODUCTION

Placement of building form: Follow existing urban fabric of terrace housing, hotel and street. Regular and repetition of terrace housing to address street frontage. Create an outdoor, open area to allow outdoor learn, recreation space and flow paths for users and public.

Creating a void to separate functions, zoning

Maximum occupation of site

Use of material sand building techniques i.e. Masonry, adobe and/or concrete

Use of sun: Solar panels to generate electricity; Solar hot water and heating

Single room depth for maximum ventilation; active façade to respond to wind and noise.

Separating functions, creating internal ‘laneways’; creating voids for maximum solar penetration

Introduce green spaces, planting for aesthetics, leisure and for ‘green therapy’ to help aid and speed recovery.

A façade system that helps, protect, service and include the users. Interactive façade made from recycled materials and/or art works to make the users feel at one with the building; creating ownership and self importance

Gross Building Area

PRIVATE AREAS

COMMON AREAS

TEACHING AREAS

COMMERCIAL AREAS

OUTDOOR AREAS

407 sq. m. 173.6 130.2 -- --

128 sq. m. 215.6 259.1 456.2 130.8 535 sq. m. 389.2 389.3 456.2 130.8 TOTAL 1900.5

SITE AREA 1025.7

LONG SECTION – EAST TO WEST

Zoning functions; Accommodation located to the north for maximum solar penetration, ventilation and views; can be higher then southern elevation.

How Can We help?

Option for staged works – users and other homeless patrons of surrounding institutes can undertake building programs to help further career, skills in the building of the centre. Build ability, modular construction, prefabrication methods can be used.

1. EXG SITE 2. REUSE 3. YOUTH SUPPORT AND ACCOMMODATION TRAING FACILITIES FOR BUILDING PROGRAM

4. START CONSTRUCTION 5. WALLS, WINODWS AND DOORS ‘SHELL’

6. INTERNAL FIT OUT; MODULAR UNITS INSTALLED

7. LANDSCAPE, PATHS 8. EXTEND PATHWAY, BIKE LANES

Ground Floor Plan

2 7 8

9/10

4 4

5 5

11

12

12

Comments From Review; Local Woolloomooloo planning issues – look further then the LEP and DCP, Historic aspect of the Woolloomooloo area i.e. high rise building. Security and how social housing is planned for a safe environment. Entry points, test and question the best location. Zoning; all accommodation on first floor, teaching education on ground.

First Floor Plan

Typical Floor Plan – Accommodation Option for shared living.

BAMBOO/TIMBER FLOOR

CEILING FANS

BRICK & REVERSE BRICK VENEER WALLS

MODULAR UNITS SHARED OR SINGLE UNITS

ENTRY

ENTRY

BIKE STORAGE

FAÇADE & GALAZING: INTERACTIVE FAÇADE/ OPERABLE FOR VENTILATION

UNITS CAN ADAPT: LOUNGE / STUDY / KITCHENETTE

Comments From Review; Security and how social housing is planned for a safe environment. Entry points, test and question the best location. How will it be used by user/s

Exploded Axonometric Option of Building Materials & Systems

‘Systems’ ‘Material’

Comments From Review; Security and how social housing is planned for a safe environment. Entry points, test and question the best location. How will it be used by user/s Use of materials. Why? Colours and textures? The use of colours and materials to help create a friendly health environment. User interaction; how to include?

Bland Street Perspective of ‘interactive façade’

Samuel Massey 3272904 UNSW |FBE | Masters of Architecture