Project Brief:

America has the highest percent of children living in single parent households in the world at 23%. This project is a traditional home designed for families who have been through trauma and incarceration and their child. The inhabitants will live in the “HOME” for three months. While working to pay for their lodging is a valuable opportunity to make connections and to 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 get back to the life they hoped to have.

I aim to create an enjoyable spatial experience for 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.

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.

Sustainable Strategy- Solar Tile Roof & Water Harvesting:

The two sides of the roof are designed to display customized solar tile, which is self generated and provides energy for the interior space throughout the day. Between each solar roof tile would have trenches to gather water that would go down to the water tank under the entrance platform for the water storage and daily use.