HOUSING /

AAR4510 Housing design

Temporary housing for asylum seekers

                          

Asylum seekers are currently one of the resident groups in European countries that have the worst housing conditions. They often live in overcrowded old buildings built for other purposes than providing homes. Asylum seekers have very little private space, and a low housing standard. The physical solutions may increase this risk of developing mental problems as well as the conflict level among the residents. Housing quality may be used as a strategy to promote the mental health of the residents, their activity level, and well-being. This is especially important for children at asylum centres.

The overall task will be the same as for the Complex Program group, to design a center for asylum seekers in Trondheim. The center should include accommodation as well as shared facilities. The focus in the housing design subject will however be on residential qualities in temporary housing. This implies exploring how the housing design may contribute to an improvement of the mental health, self-esteem and general wellbeing of the asylum seekers. How is it possible to create homes within the frames of the temporariness of a reception centre?

Students will be given an extensive freedom when it comes to approach, choice of site, vision, program (number and types of dwelling, residential group, relation to other functions etc) and whether you will deal with transformation of existing buildings, new construction or a combination of the two. The design should be developed within the framework of existing Norwegian asylum policies and cost limits, but may of course also challenge the same framework.  

Phase 1 (week 34-37): Knowledge basis

This phase includes the common introduction to the topic as well as an intensive individual design task with focus on temporariness.  It also includes the main part of the shared compulsory knowledge subject with modules on Temporary Housing, Tools and Programming (described above)

Phase 2 (week 39-42):  Program and conceptual idea (group or individual)

Students shall select between three sites and identify a main focus area for their project. They shall furthermore formulate a vision, identify objectives and define the program: How many dwellings, type of dwellings and households, other functions and total area. The conceptual idea, based on the interpretation of the main qualities of the site, shall visualize the spatial layout / organization of functions, access and main movement structure and other important architectural features of the project. 

Phase 3 (week 43-49): Design outline and detailed project

Students develop their projects, individually or in groups (max 2 persons), investigating plans, volumes, details and construction. There will be group wise local excursions and reviews in addition to shared lectures and seminars for all three subjects. 

Submission: Friday 7 Dec. Presentation of final project and assessment (11 – 12 Dec).

Excursion

There will be a common excursion with the Complex program group to Hamburg in week 38. A detailed program for the week will follow. Budget estimate: 4000-4500 NOK (travel + accommodation). In addition come costs for meals, local transport, admission fees etc. 

Number of students: Max: 20

Main teachers: Eli Støa, Stein Jenssen and Linda Folgerø

Coordinator / Tutoring: Sunniva Vold Huus and Linda Folgerø

Recommended eligible subject: AAR 4812 - History and Theory of Housing

The objective of this subject is to discuss and develop critical thinking when it comes to ideological, theoretical and historical aspects of housing. Students shall write an essay (approximately 10 pages) based on selected texts (min. 100 pages). The subject will be taught most Mondays in week 34-42. Submission of essay in week 44 and reviews in week 46.