Assignment 1: Masters Project Overview

1. Assignment 1: Masters Project Overview Hola-Hi Youth Home • Scope of the Thesis • Is for the design of a home (orphanage) for children between the ages of 10 and 14. • Home in a residential setting based on a sustainable design and environmental preservation considerations. • Focus on nurturing, developmental activities, interaction with the community, and family oriented features. Judith Bradley, LEED AP BD+C January 11, 2012 IND 6970 Masters Project Professor: Sarah Sherman

2. History • Background Information • The first orphanages appeared in the 1800s in America • The number of orphans in orphanages by 1910 was more than 100,000 • There has been controversy over the care of dependant children since WWII • In the middle of the century orphanages started reorganizing to eliminate the dorm environment and started building group homes for the children with guardian parents. • “The interest in and support for ‘new orphanages’ that arose in the early 2000s appears to be related to a number of factors. One of the strongest motivating factors was a growing dissatisfaction with the quality of child welfare services in the United States and the negative outcomes for children • and youth being served through the foster care system”.

3. Current images of a youth home Youth Home Example of Current Day Homes

4. On Grounds • --Gymnasium - Coach Public • --Recreational center - Instructor Public • --Theater Public • Art center Semi-private • Music Center Semi-private • Gardening (greenhouse) Semi-private • --Offices for administrative staff 6 Personnel Semi-private • Lobby Public • Home • --Caregivers quarters for each age group - (4) Parents Semi-private • --Kitchen Semi-private • --Study space Semi-Private • --Bedrooms and bath for each age group Private • --Sitting and study space • --Children’s rooms Private • Activities • and Spaces

5. Scope of the Thesis • When looking for an international location or site to place a group home the • typology of the thesis takes on a different texture. The original scope • of the thesis centered around 10 to 14 year old adolescents since they • were least likely to get adopted. However looking at the placement of a group • home internationally brings in other factors for selecting this age group: • Education • Poverty • Exploitation • Sexual abuse • Early marriages • Child trafficking-forced labor, marriage, prostitution or domestic work (UNICEF • (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) -executive Summary) International Scene • Table 1: Statistics on orphans and adolescents Statistics

6. Reasons for Selection • Orphans • Information on Children/Adolescences • Table 2: Statistics on orphans and adolescents in Mexico and Costa Rica • Costa Rica Information • These children are vulnerable to exploitation, drugs, trafficking for labor or sexual purposes • or physical and sexual abuse, kidnapping, torture, murder, persecution, threats, and military • Intervention. Street children are also an issue • Children in orphanages are cared for by students, interns, and/ or volunteers for short • periods of time • There are many websites advertising for people to care for these children and for parents • to adopt them • Costa Rica Children

7. Costa Rica– San Isidro Reasons for Selection • Chirripo National Park and Chirripo Mountain contains tropical rain forest, highland cloud • forest and sub-alpine tundra. Hiking to the top of the mountain provides views of the • Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. • Gardening climate • There are cascading rivers and waterfalls, near to the highest mountain peak in southern • Central America, and one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the entire world • 5% of the known species of life forms on Earth • There is fishing, climbing, biking, camping, hiking, scuba diving ,canopy tours, wind • surfing, white water rafting, and kayaking • Relatively crime-free (Southern (2011)) View of the city of San Isidro and the Mountain Range View of the San Isidro Park The Country and City 12

8. The flag’s blue colors are for sky, opportunities, idealism and perseverance. The white represents peace wisdom and happiness. While the red relates to blood spilt by martyrs in defense of the country and warmth and generosity of the people. About the Site • Patriotism is important— • red, blue, and white • Volcanoes are symbolic • Spanish heritage The coat of arms contains the bridge between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It has the 3 volcanoes and Costa Rica’s 7 provinces are represented 7 stars • History • Exploration of Costa Rica began early in the 16th century—Too difficult with disease and mosquito swamps. • Cartage was the first settlement established in 1563 • Costa Rica declared their independence from Spain in 1821 • 1838 Costa Rica declared its sovereignty and independence from the United Provinces of Central America which they joined in 1821 Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011.

9. Political • The political scene is organized. • Information about San Isidro, Costa Rica • which is also called Perez Zeledon, • Costa Rica is buried within the description • of San Jose. Their first woman president • was elected on May 7, 2010. Political Guidelines • Woman elected to office illustrate freedom of rights • Elegant political parties-get–to-gether • Community involvement is important • Called the republic of Costa Rica • Democratic Republic • Capital is San Jose • There are 7 provinces—Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose. • San Isidro is in the province of San Jose • Law system is based on the Spanish civil code, judicial review legislative acts in the Supreme Court • President is Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda since May 8, 2010 • First Vise President is Alfio PIVO Mesen since May 8, 2010 • Second Vise President is Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg since May 8, 2010 • Offices are for four years • The pressure groups include—coffee growers, confederation of democratic workers, chamber or CADEXCO, National Association of Public and Private Employees* Independence day parade (2006) *Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011.

10. Economic • Currently there are very few countries that are not having economic issues. However the country and San Isidro has valuable commodities for international trade. • They sit on a biodiversity environment that people desire. Economic Guidelines • Exports—coffee, sugar, and beef. They also export microchips • Agriculture—hunting, forestry, fishing, bananas, sugar cane, pineapples • Industry—mining, manufacturing, construction, power • Tourism—brought into the country by its biodiversity encourages • ecotourism—beach, and many activities • Foreigners like the relatively high education level • There are free trade zones creating fiscal incentives • There is business issues such as weak investor protection, difficulty • enforcing contracts • Poverty is around 15-20% * • San Isidro, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica • Fastest growing city in Costa Rica until the economic issues • Population of almost 250,000 • Coffee and produce colors would be representative • Beach identity • Don’t design over the top • Materials are available via industry • Use biodiversity in design Coffee http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&va=coffee+plant&fr=yfp-t-701-s&tab=organic&tab=organic&b=61 Tourism http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=agriculture+costa+rica Agriculture http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=agriculture+costa+rica *Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011.

11. Cultural and Social Underpinning • Cultural • and • Social • Underpinning • Guidelines • 94% of the population is white • 76 % of the population is Roman Catholic • Language is English and Spanish • Population is 4,576,562 (July 2011) • 0-14 years of age is 24% • 15-64 years old is 69% • 65 years and more is 6.4% • There are full amenities such as supermarkets, hardware • stores, banks, lawyers, restaurants and nightlife. • It was also the only country to meet all five criteria established to measure environmental sustainability. • A local culture center holds weekly theatre performances (in Spanish) • Local artists have exposition of their work. *2 Farmers Market http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/columns/susanna_costarica/2004/september/home.shtml • Involve the community • Integrate young people with design features • Acting classes can bring English to • the theatre Cattle Show http://costarica.com/culture/holidays-festivals/ Festivals costarica-invest.blogspot.c... *1. Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011. *2. Land Assurance, Location. Retrieved 30 September 2011 from http://www.landassurance.com/CostaRica_SanIsidro.html

12. Summary There is a lot of diversity in economics, landscape, architecture, and socially. The biodiversity stands out the most. It affords a vast range of agriculture opportunities and tourist attractions. The architecture is also diverse from a gothic style to a colorful box shape. The life style is casual and yet there are cultural prospects. The communities is simple and loyal lending to a good environment for young people. • Summary • Guidelines • Diversity • Coffee and product colors would be representative • Beach, hunting, fishing, climbing, biking, hiking identity • Design Elements • Materials are available via industry • Use biodiversity in design • Spanish heritage—Spanish, 50thies, boxy, and Gothic style • Use of bright colors • Casual environment • Agriculture texture • Take advantage of the views • Eco technology is a natural • Don’t design over the top • Society • Patriotism and symbolism is important—red, blue, white and the 3 volcanoes • Woman elected to office illustrate free of rights • Elegant political parties-get-to-gather • Community involvement is important • Integrate young people in the community into the design • Acting classes can bring English to the theatre

13. Geographic Characteristics • Geographic • Characteristics • Guidelines • Costa Rica is bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean. Nicaragua is on their border to the north while Panama is to their South • Many Volcanoes • Climate is warm and damp in the lowlands 81º F and colder • on the Central Plateau 72º*1 • San Isidro (full name: San Isidro del • General Perez Zeledon) is located in • the Valley of El General, a fertile valley • at about 600 meters above sea level. • San Isidro de El General is 120 Km • from San Jose. • San Isidro is a key transportation and • agricultural town. • It is a short distant from • Pan-American Highway *2. • Integrate the natural environment into the design • Use the available views *1. Location, Climate, Language, Religion, Flag, Capital (Costa Rica), in Europa World online. London, Routledge. Florida International University. Retrieved 30 September 2011 from http://www.europaworld.com/entry/cr.is.2 *2. Land Assurance, Location. Retrieved 30 September 2011 from http://www.landassurance.com/CostaRica_SanIsidro.html

14. Site • Site presentation • Recent improvements: horse stables, greenhouse, orchards, hydro-electric system and landscaping • Site Location • Guidelines • 80% of site is usable • Rolling Hills • Horse friendly • About 3 hours from • San Jose • South of San Isidro • Has water, electric, • and communications http://www.chirriporealty.com/detalles.php?codigopropiedad=1874

15. Property Physical Characteristics— • 260 acres of rolling hills • Half forest and half open land • Beautiful view of the entire Valley (Valle General) below and • the Chirripo Park above • 4200 ft of elevation providing a variety of climate zones • Hiking paths, horse stable, pole barn, internal road(s), fruit trees • Electricity from a hydropower plant on the property. • Already a house on the property that can be used for a residence and office at start of construction. • Traffic— • San Isidro del General (Perez Zeledon) is 40 minutes away. • Perez Zeledon is the fastest growing city in the country. • Pacific Coast is 45 minutes from the site. • San Jose is 3 hours by the Pan American highway. • Most of the property is surrounded by lands that are • private or state protected; it is considered old forest . • City lights can be seen at night. • There is 1,978 meters (1.2 Miles) of Road frontage. • Water Features— • There are 6 creeks, springs, a large and small waterfalls Property Features

16. Recreational Center Selection • Small footprint • Youth home needs a gymnasium • and the size and height is • required for the home’s facility • An approximate 8,194 sq ft is • needed for the home’s rec center • so the court is little larger than • needed, but will probably take advantage of the entire facility • The windows on the front will take advantage of the beautiful view of the valley • The area between the entry and the courts will be used for the admin space and the front lobby. Can be suitable for entertaining • The back section of the center will be the housing for the children and the caregivers. Reasons for Site Selection Views of the building’s exterior and interior *Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011. Recreational Center

17. Court Admin Children’s Quarters Building Selection Caregivers Quarters Recreational Center Placed on Site *Central Intelligence Agency. The world factbook. ISSN 1553-8133, Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html , on September 30, 2011. Space Allocation and Building on Site

18. Site Images in By Directions View to the North of Chirripo Park East to Caribbean Sea View to the South • Casual • environment • Agriculture • Texture • Take advantage • of the views • Eco technology • is a natural View to the West of the city Future Site` Current Site 1874_22-finca-12.JPGImage 22 of 30

19. The role of the interior designer is to: • create a nurturing environment • fostering family interaction • include “homey” features such as hardwood floors in the living areas • and tile for the kitchen floor, large windows for natural light in all of the • spaces, mixture of overhead lighting (track and recessed) and wall sconces • would provide for a range of lighting levels for the various activities, open • archways, L-shaped or rectangular space with high ceilings, space that • opens to an outdoor area, more than one kind of setting in kitchen and • family room, circulation path in family room to encourage interaction • Establish a thriving supportive environment through the parents, • school, neighborhood, organization, and religious congregations • • Physical activities will be a major goal for the strengthening of the • children‘s mental and physical health • • LEED qualities as possible per the site • • Personal space for children Interior Designer Role Identified role of Designer

20. Challenges and Limitations • Children’s homes have moved away from an institutional setting to that of a home environment. The buildings in the list of selections do not fit this criteria • Develop a setting in which the children can be proud they live in • Creating a LEED environment Conclustions • Significance and Uniqueness of the project • The design of Youth homes have not been of significant interest for • many years for they are very expensive and there are horridness political • issue surrounding their existence • The care of dependant children between the ages of 10 to 14 are often • overlooked • General features—expected outcomes • the design of a youth home that displays nurturing and caring setting • an facility that provides a child with the physical and mental requirements • to succeed • a design that will fulfill the expectations of the client • an environment safe and healthy and energy efficient for it’s users. Summary