To be someone for someone else: the role of architect(ure)s in counteracting homelessness
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability, MSc
Publicerad
2022
Författare
Lambert, Pauline
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This master thesis investigates the role of architects and
architecture in counteracting homelessness. For this
study, the project takes place in the context of Charleroi,
a Belgian city particularly impacted by a wide range of
social issues, including homelessness.
The latter’s definition is differentiated from the term
houselessness, which means not having a roof over
one’s head. Homeless here includes all people,
houseless or not, who lack a place to call home.
As simple as the definition may seem, homelessness
is a highly complex topic. It is thus crucial to have a
deep understanding of what it entails before trying to
find solutions. Knowledge is built by reaching out to
and collaborating with organisations confronted with
homelessness daily. Using reference literature, projects,
and movies, conducting interviews, and going into the
field are additional ways of enquiring about the subject.
The design proposal is based on reality because of the
need for contextualised understanding. It is conceived
on a plot acquired to build a centre for homelessness
and is inspired by the testimonies of local stakeholders.
Homelessness is deeply related to the social aspect
of sustainable development because it is about giving
the right to a segregated population to simply be, as
anyone else in society has the right to. Working with
homelessness is working with social gaps, and reducing
those is essential to living in a more just – and thus more
sustainable – society.
Knowing this, the outcome of this thesis is the design
of a community centre dedicated to social bonding,
autonomy development, inclusion, and empowerment
of the homeless population in the centre of Charleroi.
By designing such a place, the project aims at stepping
away from prejudices and being norm-critical. It also
aims at turning around the current marginalised position
society puts homeless people in. Most of all, it does not
aim at changing who homeless people are but rather at
giving them a space to be who they want to become.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Homelessness, Social Sustainability, Empowerment, Community