Architecture is often thought of as a grand, expensive
undertaking ? one reserved only for the privileged
and for those who can afford to build huge
houses, breathtaking museums, and playthings for
the rich.
However, it is my belief that not only can architecture
help those truly in need, but that it should.
Those who struggle most in our current climate are
usually those dealing with the struggles of living below
the poverty line. Low-income housing and community
centers are widely known to be often ugly,
ramshackle, and generally undesirable.
And yet, the people burdened with these failures of
architecture are those who are in most need of architecture?s
power. This project is a dual study into
the architectural needs of such communities, and a
possible building system, or center, that is not only
affordable, but is also strong, useful, beautiful, and
beneficial to uplift poor communities most in need.
This study would create a working design, but also
outline issues that most affect communities below
the poverty line. After not only reading and doing
research into those issues, but also directly asking
those in these communities what they most need,
an offering of a working solution to put into place in
other projects will be displayed
