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Programming & Process
Research & Statistics
50%
of all teens get a negative reaction from their
parents when they come out to them
1 in 4
teens are forced to leave their homes after
coming out to their parents
68%
of teens have experienced family rejection
after coming out to their family
“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who are homeless must face these challenges [typical to homeless youth] on top of social stigma, discrimination, and frequently rejection by their families. The failure of critical family and social safety nets to support these youth has catastrophic consequences on their economic stability, educational attainment … economic future,
and life expectancy”.
Client - LGBTQIA+ Youth & Young Adults
LGBTQIA+ represents: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual individuals, along with those who identify as Pansexual, Non-Binary, etc. Sexuality and gender are fluid and all of the above are umbrella terms. LGBTQIA+ identifying youth who have been kicked out or ran away from their home situations & ended up on the streets trying to survive. Many times, these youth have come from physically, mentally, and/or emotionally abusive homes, where their parents were not accepting of their identity.
The Drop-In center will accept people ages 12-30 for access to the services like showering, laundry, meals, and toiletries, and the residents will be accepted from ages 16-26.
Site Location & Existing Building
Walk Score: 96
Transit Score: 85
Bike Score: 73
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Ten different bus lines within 0.1 miles of the building.
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Building Attributes:
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~ 55,000 sf building​
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Five floors & lower level
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Ceiling: 14'0" slab-to-slab
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Two outdoor patios
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Windows spanning along all walls on all floors with views of the San Antonio River from the North, South, and East windows
Design Problem & Proposed Solution
Problem:
LGBTQIA+ youth are experiencing homelessness at a higher rate than youth who identify as cis-gender and heterosexual. These youth are being kicked out or running away from abusive situations and need a sanctuary to stay in so they are safe.
Proposed Solution:
Design a LGBTQIA+ youth homeless shelter that focusses on & includes all of the necessary resources to help the occupants have the best future they can. This space will promote safety, inclusivity, healing, community, & recovery.
Concept Development
The goal of this homeless shelter is to give the youth who reside here, a place to call home again. While a home can be something different for everyone, the comfort, security, and privacy that a physical home should have will be translated into this design. The word web dives into the different terms that all mean home, for people and animals.
Parti Model
This 3D parti model is meant to represent the way a nest (the shelter) encompasses and protects the occupant (the LGBTQIA+ youth). The variety of textures and colors represents the different parts and pieces of that birds use to create their nests and the layers that will be translated into the design of the homeless shelter. The facility should make the youth feel safe and encompassed in warmth. The figure in the center is reaching out to the wrapping movement as if they were accepting the help and nurturing it was providing.
Branding & Identity
As displayed in the parti model, the logo has the same movement of being encased or wrapped up. The wings appear to be in motion like they were about to swoop in to protect the object of interest. The name “Under Our Wing” was chosen with the idea of security in mind, as well as the notion of nurturing, educating, and healing the homeless youth that enter this facility. Taking someone under your wing typically means you are mentoring them or looking out for them, and both of these practices will be prevalent in this shelter. The logo is white and gray, but includes highlights of rainbow on the wings to represent the pride flag, but also show that even when things are looking bleak, there will always be a bright and colorful side, providing hope.