While studying the demographics of the heavily gentrified Third Ward, I've decided to design for financially vulnerable populations. During the research process, I've conducted a series of interviews, first part of which was focused on single mothers who make up more that half of the families in the neighborhood. In an attempt to better cater to their needs one of the questions asked was, "what amenities - community-supplied or government-funded - do you wish you had access to?" Their responses led the design process and dictated the program.
In order to create a self-sustaining community, it was decided to utilize the neighborhood's close proximity to the University of Houston and Texas Southern University, and dedicate some units to student housing. These units would be provided to students in early childhood development or otherwise education-related majors. The students would get the opportunity to work part-time at the on-site daycare. This will provide experience for the students and a sense of safety to the single-parent households.
The units are pushed and pulled in a way to create patios and balconies to allow natural light and create a visual connection with the playground and the daycare. The parking is serving as an additional separation between the daycare and the outside world. Garden pods are introduced on the North side of the site, to create more private family areas, while still keeping a visual connection with the rest of the site.
The overall layout of the project creates an enclosed community within, that is designed to be self-sufficient and very close-knit. With the "it takes a village" mindset in mind, the first part of the project is designed to help single-parent families, as well as benefit the students and the Third Ward community as a whole.
