Kids & Youth Center Salzburg-Liefering – project and POE

1. Kids & Youth Center Salzburg-Liefering –project and POE Forsthuber, T., Architect, Salzburg & Keul, A.G., Salzburg University

3. The Liefering project Salzburg-Liefering – a poor district, 13.7% welfare rate (Salzburg 4.4%), one out of three under 19 years, insufficient living space, „street corner scenario“ – kids sitting on supermarkt trolleys, neighbors calling the police etc. Private fundraising Association to create a Liefering Kids & Youth Center (KYC), future user participation in the planning process 1998-2000.

4. The Liefering project City authorities made available 1043 sqm „playground“ (territory of the homeless) in the central residential area. Architectural concept of KYC (T.Forsthuber, C.Scheithauer): Cubage 3144 cbm, 720 sqm floor area, built-up area 530 sqm; guidelines: TRANSFORMATION / SHOVEL, PROTECTION NETWORK, OPENNESS / SOCIAL DENSITY INDIVIDUALITY / VISTAS, MATERIALS The KYC has won four architecture awards in 2001 and 2002.

11. POE Youth Center KYC student POE project Salzburg University winter semester 2002/03 in seminar of the second author – participants Eva Mach, Marlene Rauter, Silvia Pixner, Sabine Enser, Luisa Aguiar, Alexandra Braunesberger, Elisabeth Lindenmair, Bettina Plöckinger 8 walkthrough observations on November 2002 afternoons (building use, age/gender, interactions) Interviews with 4 young users, 3 social workers, 5 KYC neighbors

12. POE Youth Center Walkthrough observation results • 131 persons counted inhouse during the walkthroughs, i.e.16.4 per observation. • Age distribution: 15% 6<10 years, 37% 10<14 years, 48% 14 years and over, signalling a high demand by juveniles. • Gender distribution (see next page) shows high female participation until 14 years, when it drops almost to zero. • All visitors except some bystanders and PC users interacted socially, often by play.

13. POE Youth Center

14. POE Youth Center • Spatial distribution of the visitors • Basement used by 73 persons, i.e. 9.1 persons per observation. • First Floor used by 58 persons, i.e. 7.3 persons per observation. • Use statistics: age stratification BM-FF and intense use of climbing wall by girls under 10. • Weather did not encourage outdoor use in front and on roof of KYC.

15. POE Youth Center

16. POE Youth Center Interview results 2 children, 2 juveniles • All KYC attention via siblings/friends. • KYC visitors <14 have social contacts with other age groups and gender. • Favorite of younger is climbing wall, older prefer table-tennis or internet. • KYC called exciting, funny. • Minor social tensions reported between <12 and >14. • All parents at home knew where kids are.

17. POE Youth Center 3 social workers • First contact via local schools, word of mouth. • Girls‘ group once a week in a special room. • Except „computer clique“, all other visitors move throughout KYC. • Personnel satisfied with spatial situation, its transparency and individuality, its challenge. • Only minor damages reported, no vandalism. • No major social problems, „basic aggression“ noticeable. • Contacts with parents established, neighbor contacts first tense, gradually improved.

18. 5 neighbors (3 dwellers, 2 local business) • 4 irritated („dead“, „cold“, „concrete complex“), one positive about building • All 5 never entered building, fantasies, sceptical about what is going on there • 3 have children, would not like them to enter KYC • 3 saw no positive social change, 2 said basic KYC idea was OK, to do something for the children POE conclusions KYC Liefering used by 6>14 year olds. Offers compensatory activities esp. for girls <14. Room concept working well. Interage interaction, mostly playful. KYC valued by kids and social workers. Neighbors ambivalent.

19. Contact Thomas Forsthuber, Mag.arch., Architect, Ernest Thun Str.11, A-5020 Salzburg Phone+fax 0043 662 87 87 88 architekt.forsthuber@eunet.at Dr.Alexander G. Keul, Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Salzburg University, Hellbrunnerstr.34, A-5020 Salzburg Phone+fax 0043 662 8044 5127 alexander.keul@sbg.ac.at