Refugees : designing space that connects the past and present

January 15, 2021December 31, 2016 by Madeleine Niepceron

Axonometric of a bamboo and steel structure with material swatches

Refugees : designing space that connects the past and present

Lauren Josselyn

ARC623 | Fall 2016

The barriers that the asylum seekers and refugees face include inadequate food security and unemployment, language barriers, stigma (particularly surrounding the treatment of mental illness), and discrimination. In addition a lack of knowledge of the health care system and fear of deportation make it even more difficult to assimilate. It it is important for displaced people to feel a sense of ‘home’ even though the refugee camp is not necessarily ‘home’ they need to make an effort to continue a sense of place or belonging to feel at ‘home’.

The objective of the project is to propose a long term solution for refugee camps, taking into consideration :

– Personalization: The Bamboo allows for the occupant to hang objects throughout the space to provide a better sense of ‘home’. In addition flexible furniture allow for customization of space based on programmatic needs.

– Cultural Appropriateness: Bamboo is a familiar building material to Burma Refugees. Giving a sense of ‘home’ through the material usage in the architectural design.

– Wellness: The bamboo facade allows for natural ventilation within the space. The corrugated polycarbonate roofing allows for easily accessible rain water collection. These sustainable design features create a healthier environment for the inhabitants.

Demographics

Design Proposal

Wayfinding and signage for people with functional illiteracy

January 15, 2021December 31, 2016 by Madeleine Niepceron

Design proposal for signage in Buffalo at the building, city and regional scale

Wayfinding and signage for people with functional illiteracy

Dylan Burns

ARC623 | Fall 2016

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In the US, 40 million people are unable to/have difficulty reading signage due to illiterracy.Using PIAAC’s definition for literacy, one can expand the scope of the population that would be considered functionally “illiterate” to include: children who have not yet learned to read, tourists, refugees, residents with a language barrier and people with vision impairments.

People with functional illiteracy are often most at risk for danger, without the additional burden of navigational difficulty. Refugees and tourists are often unfamiliar with the area and a language barrier could affect their ability to adjust or assimilate. There can be extreme danger if signage that conveys warnings cannot be understood. If people who are functionally illiterate cannot be independent, their need for additional help draws attention to and stigmatizes their situation, potentially causing mental concerns.

Precedent

Frankfurt, KY wayfinding signage

Design Proposal

The switch : designing the built environment for service dogs

January 14, 2021December 31, 2016 by Madeleine Niepceron

Elevation, design goals and features of the outlet project

The switch : designing the built environment for service dogs

Kelsey Habla

ARC623 | Fall 2016

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There are many mechanisms in everyday life that require the use of small buttons, which are hard for service dogs and people with large fingers or limited dexterity to use. People with service dogs often must cover the walls near light switches with a protective material so the dogs don’t scratch the paint with their nails. However, service dogs are trained to use the large buttons designed for people who use wheelchairs to open automatic doors. Since the technology already exists, it could be applied to a new design. The objective of this project is to develop a means for service dogs to perform tasks that is integrated into the design of products, without the need for adaptations or maintenance.

Design Proposal