Building an extension to police stations that better accommodates the need of victims and survivors. Due to the imposing nature of police station, many people either because of a lack of trust, or poor relationship with the police, feel uncomfortable coming forward even as an innocent person. The buildings are designed to make people feel like criminals which is counter productive to the goal of increasing victim reported crimes. Safe Haven is designed to address this issue and make those who are brave enough to stand up for themselves feel welcome and validated. Any crime that hurts someone, small or big, deserves to be addressed and Safe haven is making that process easier.

The focus of this project was to ensure the safety and comfort of clients while still prioritizing their privacy. By working with natural light the feeling of home and calmness is heightened, but so is the potential for a feeling vulnerable because of large windows. To combat this issue the windows are stained glass. The second major concept was making a child friendly space. keeping with the theme of home there is a small children's play area in the corner inspired by the shape and feel of a nest. To tie the room together the 'branches of the nest spread throughout the room shifting into furniture. Finally the room allows for open discussion and wide space while allowing for privacy if needed. The main room is designed for bigger groups of people or those who feel comfortable with more room. Then there are 2 smaller rooms, one with a glass wall that acts as an office for any professionals who need it, and one that is separated by a weaved wall. This space has access to the colored glass windows and the weaved wall makes it still feel open, but it is protected enough to have private conversations. This space was designed for survivors and victims of any crime and attempts to make police stations more inviting for those who need help. 

In this project, we explored the concept of Neuro-architecture and how the design of a space can affect our brains and emotions. We designed a library and study space for middle schoolers meant to be relaxing and open, in order to promote a safe space in schools. 50% of all mental health issues arise before the age of 14, and we thought a good way to help support young people with mental health was with a 'safe space' in schools. We were heavily inspired by the use of nature indoors, as well as the use of natural light and having a 'flow' in the space. 'Safe space' was designed to be a safe work area if students need a place to interact with their peers or decompress alone if they need some time. For more information, please see the presentation above.  

While the United States is a country of immigrants, language barriers, economic disparities, and unfamiliarity cause division between newly migrated communities. It is understandable that previously displaced people turn to one another for support, but the intense American patriotic culture leads to even less of an integration between people. Beyond Borders was created to explore how to bring people together through architecture. The structure its self wraps around to create an open space that invites people inside. The organic shape of the structures offers a natural comforting environment. The structure also features a vertical shelf farm, wood burning stove and a water basin for recreational activities. The adobe material can magically become an art gallery once painted on. Rain water will then wash away the art, resulting in an always-evolving cultural display. By creating a shared space to exchange culture through art, cooking, and gardening, previously displaced people can foster new community relations beyond the cultural divide. 

Therapy In Nature is an architectural space proposal that attempts to reduce the stuffy, sterile, uncomfortable feeling that is created by many spaces for therapy. To achieve this, Therapy In Nature aims to create a space that incorporates nature as well as more colourful surroundings into therapeutic environments. For each room within our building we wanted each to have a unique feature to themselves. For our bamboo room, we wanted to have it feel cool and refreshing to be in and be able to relax. For our sandstone room, we aimed to have a feeling of warmth and a depth of sensory experiences for each person to have in the room. Finally, we have our forest room made for an experience of smells such as pine, sap, and evergreen trees.