THE SOCIAL VOID, LOS ANGELES

Sumedha Singh

A VISION OF HOMES FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

An alternate living for the currently homeless single mothers.

The aim of this project is to create a new way of living for the homeless single mothers in the city, a way that promotes social interaction in small and large communities; a way that creates possibilities for the residents to inhabit spaces outside their own private realm and yet feel secure; a way that introduces healthy living conditions and housing for the - housing is a human right for all. The building must meet the demands of the community it is catering to and provide the residents with a sense of belongingness, safety, security, permanency, and comfort. Furthermore, it should aim to integrate buildings, people, and nature. The latter two are constantly evolving. Can a building have the same potential for a living? Can it adapt in accordance with the residents that inhabit it? Can green spaces and nature be more than just a park or garden and be a form that is inculcated in our homes and day-to-day lives? I wish to create a framework for living in a city where people shape their own environment. A place that has a strong identity so the residents can identify with it. I believe this aim has the potential to show people that they are cared for, and there is another way of life; a new model for life in the city - a home which is their right.

PERCEPTION OF LOS ANGELES

My observation of Los Angeles is that of a gloomy(blue-grey, white-black), segregated, and irregularly developed city. The downtown of LA is filled with contemporary nomadic type architectural style skyscrapers that could be placed anywhere in the world with their steel and glass structures. Whereas places such as skid row, Santee alley, flower street are all filled with cultural architectural structures and murals that tell the story of the city. The structures reflect the history, the struggle, and the present usage of buildings and the lives of people. The overly developed part of the city is just connected by streets to the other but there is no connection between the people. A strong visible divide exists.

WHY HOMELESS SINGLE MOTHERS?

Going back in time, places such as Skid Row were originally formed by the habitation of seasonal workers and were all men. Probably in the age range of 16-40. The locale has no infrastructure that could support families as such. It has no proper infrastructure, schools, health care facilities and is constantly degrading in its form and this deterioration has become permanent as we progress in time which is causing residential instability. And now compared to then there is a new demographic which needs assistance and that is women - single mothers and young children.

PROPOSED SITE: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

The proposed site is in the area - Fashion district, provides users with access to local amenities, decreased commute, access to public transport which will be beneficial for these mothers who would be accommodating the space. It is very close to skid row and hence provides a direct connection to the people there and simultaneously is also close to Santee alley and Gallery row which could be a potential employment opportunity that would attract people and reintegrate them back into the society.

DESIGN CONCEPT

These illustrations were initiated after initially researching and looking at the existing fabric and architectural style of Los Angeles - the courtyard housing style. While looking at the existing buildings, I realized how the dimension and the scale of the buildings differ across Los Angeles. Highlighting the local architectural elements and utilizing them to create a space that makes more sense and adds to the existing environment. This experimentation expanded to form a metamorphic expression of the in-between spaces in the notion of parallel layers.

SPATIAL PLANNING + MASSING + INITIAL SITE STUDY

PROPOSED DESIGN SOLUTION

In Los Angeles and beyond, solutions to women’s homelessness must also ensure that more women are not entering homelessness each year. Comprehensive social security nets; equitable access to affordable housing; universal access to resources and income; combating intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and trafficking; and trauma-informed communities are all part of many solutions possible and to be included. I want to create a space for the homeless that makes them feel like a part of society; a place where they can create their own community and gather support from their people. I want the different blocks of housing to be engaging with the people at street level and visually connect to the street which they have personalized over the years. I wish to create a community tied together by mental wellbeing, nature, healing, culture, people, and spaces - which is self-serving and not just affordable housing.

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