Freedom United:
a transitional community for
survivors of human trafficking
Jacksonville, FL
Multi-Family Residential
15,000 SF
The United States government has made strides in developing anti-trafficking campaigns. Due to an increase in awareness of the issue and an evolving approach to survivor support through our legal system, those who escape trafficking have greater opportunities for rehabilitation and community support.
Design Development
Overarching Design Considerations:
Personalization/ Control:
foster feelings of self-worth through customizable spaces and an environment that reacts to the resident
Privacy, Circulation, and Wayfinding:
establish an environment /feeling of security using the prospect and refuge theory; allowing users to see their surroundings without feeling as if they were on display
Sustainability:
create and sustain pride of the program and self through specification of materials that are comfortable, long-lasting, and easy to clean/maintain
Community:
encourage organic growth of community through shared spaces that are engaging and attractive
Materiality:
cultivate resident dignity through use of comfortable and honest materials
I invite you to click the image above to peruse my visual presentation
Dining Room
Home Entry
Art Studio
Upstairs Hallway
Resident Lounge
Conference Room
Group Therapy Room
Covered Patio
Meditation Labyrinth
Design Research Summary
My Level 1 Research + Programming
I invite you to click the image above to peruse my pre-design summary
The Problem:
As a city with an international airport, seaport, central highways, and growing urban environment, Jacksonville, Florida is a hub for human rights violations. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Jacksonville ranked among the top 50 cities in the U.S. for total number of substantive human trafficking and related issue calls.
Human trafficking, as defined by the United Nations, involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Although traumatic by nature, women are often coaxed back into “the life” because they lack community, stability, and attainable prospects.
Goals:
BUILD from existing shelter models to implement trauma-informed design for vulnerable populations.
DEVELOP a template to be used in various locations within the city as well as across the country.
ENCOURAGE the broader community to invest in and engage users with opportunities for growth and future success.
EXPLORE alternative environments within the cohousing community to support autonomous living and empowerment of the individual
Users:
There is no one profile for survivors of sex trafficking. Human trafficking spans all demographics with a unifying element of vulnerability.
The proposed transitional housing environment will serve single, adult, female survivors of sex trafficking.
This vulnerable population, at risk of regressing back into what is called “the life,” or sex work, requires multi-disciplinary trauma-informed care and design.
Programming Purpose:
This community’s purpose is to create a safe, rehabilitative environment
1) for users to receive social and professional services and
2) which enables them to understand their value and learn skills for an independent future.
This hypothetical design will be implemented at 2138, 2142, + 2150 Park Street in Jacksonville, FL A total of four buildings are currently situated on the combined properties. I plan to add a fifth behind the 2138 Park Street home.
The area is desirable as it has many amenities nearby with “very walkable” and “bikeable” transportation scores essential for the residents to establish themselves within the community.
