Youth is said to be the driving force of a nation’s economy. Their position is hyped up as they represent business owners and leaders of the coming future. But their position in society is falsely indicated as many of them are struggling to make ends meet in their present. For them, the future remains uncertain.
Homelessness is on the rise in almost every city around the world. Different sections of the population face this issue due to a myriad of reasons from inflation and economic problems to scarcity of resources. Affordable housing demand has surged in the last few decades.
The population of youth being homeless is a huge concern in developed countries. This community is especially vulnerable since they lack stability, support, and guidance at this age. They face unique challenges, as they bounce from one housing system to another.
Homelessness is a condition that is forced on youth due to collective socio-economic reasons and varying personal circumstances. The state of helplessness can have a deep impact on the psyche of any young individual.
There are several issues that may push young people towards homelessness. Any type of abuse (physical, mental, sexual, narcotic), joblessness, or generally being outcast due to impairment or sexual orientation. As they turn to the streets and society to escape the danger they fear facing at home, they are exposed to new urban threats.
Besides the pressures of making it on their own, they are susceptible to crime, harassment, mental depression, or trauma from past experiences that make life difficult for them. Unemployment, in particular, would be a concern to youth due to lack of education, skills, or access to job facilities.
Brief: Design a transition centre for homeless youth with housing and other facilities that would equip them with skills for independent living.
It is to be designed so that an array of services can be provided to the youth that come from diverse backgrounds in order to help them give a safe, stable, and inclusive home. It must also act as a learning centre to help them acquire life skills, special skills, and create networks.
The well-being of young people is a priority. Homeless people often face prejudice in society so it is necessary that the centre design is in harmony with its neighboring context. The spatial design must be flexible, low maintenance, and economical to host multiple users over short durations. It will be occupied for not more than 1 year.
The aim is to create a healthy community for young people. Privacy and interaction must be guided in the layout as per the nature of the activity. The aesthetics and functionality must be balanced to create a mix of open and closed spaces.
Design Objectives
Accessibility: All services must be accessible to every member of the community by creating barrier-free designs.
Convenience: The areas must be low maintenance with careful material choice and space configuration. The center needs to be independent of mechanical interventions (as possible).
Community: There must be spaces where the young people can interact and participate in social events but at their own choice.
Context: The design must respond to the (existing) site conditions. The wider socio-cultural, economic and environmental settings are to be considered in the design approach.
Awards:-
Prize pool of worth 24000$
The prize pool is dependent on the total number of registrations received. Please check the awards and fees section to learn more about it. There will be a total of 100 (20%) entries that will be shortlisted for the final awards. All the shortlisted entries will be entitled to e-certificates.
Deadline:- 13-12-2021
Entry Fees:- Registration starts: 40.00 USD Free with UNI Membership
