Yue Zhang

Advisor: Brian T. Rex

Site plan
The site plan indicates the location of the proposed housing design and its relationship with surrounding properties.
Site plans
Main floor: the general area includes kitchen, dining hall, and lounge are located. The healing circle is in the center of the area and is surrounded by supporting functions such as medical, consultation and detox rooms. The veterinary clinic and indoor door park occupy the rest of the main floor.
Basement: Directly underneath the healing circle, there is a space for the deceased animals with a ceremony room and an aquamation room.
Second Floor: The housing units are located on the west and north side of second floor. The animal adoption center is located directly above the healing circle.
Third Floor: Majority of the space on the third floor are housing units. The animal shelter is located right above the animal adoption center.
Section drawings
The section drawings reveal height of each level and the spatial relationship between each floor. The circular space in the center of the building is the focal point of the entire project: the space on the main floor is about healing people physically and spiritually; the space directly above is about giving the animals who were abandoned or born on the street a new chance in life and a new family; the space on the top is a place where animals being healed physically and emotionally by the occupants of the housing complex; at the bottom of the space beneath the ground, it is a space for the deceased animals to walk their final journey along with their loved ones.
Interior rendering
The interior renderings visualise the spatial quality of the healing spaces and the visual engagements between the spaces.
Facade design
The facade design is to be inspired by Indigenous Beading. The initial concept of the design is to simulate the design pattern and colours of beading and implement the style in the facade design. However, the colours of the interior wall finishes are projecting through all the glazing which form patterns and rhythms on their own; the interior colours now become part of the façade. The exterior finishes are now left white as a canvas to emphasize the colours protruding from the interior spaces. Vertical slats are added on various walls of the building to generate texture and visual interests through light and shadows.
Exterior rendering
Exterior renderings
Exterior rendering
Exterior renderings

SANCTUARY

The design thesis project SANCTUARY explores the idea of a place driven by the symbiotic merger of two distinct social issues in Winnipeg --people experiencing homelessness and animals sheltered after abandonment or rescuing. 

Both populations suffer from a similar social stigma in the public eye. Peer-reviewed studies and anecdotal cases cited below show that animals can assist in modifying and supporting positive human behavior that can lead the homeless to regain place in the community. In turn, animals in need of shelter get care and attention. The proposed hybrid program uses the interaction between the animals and people to help create emotional bonds.   It encourages and assists people to become more self-sufficient & independent. The relationship between people and animals is symbiotic both physically and emotionally. The animals can eventually be adopted and find their forever home.

Many of the unfortunate homeless people feel isolated and invisible to society. It is crucial to establish connection between the homeless of Winnipeg and its wide-ranging public. The presence of animals presents an “ice breaker” opportunity for the general Winnipeg public to find common ground and put aside their prejudice and stereotypical view on homelessness. When interacting with the animals, people will have a chance to communicate with the person who is taking care of the animal. Hopefully, the general public will look beyond the negative labels being put on the homeless population and treat them with the respect and understanding they deserve. The interaction both with and across animals helps the homeless population to rebuild associations and relationships. This is intended as the basis for measuring the “fit” of the programs and their architecture.

The outcome of this design study is the establishment of a model of hybrid housing facility to be co-occupied by both homeless people and animals. There will be spaces for programs to help both groups of occupants medically and emotionally. Additional social and training programs will be established to assist the human occupants; animals will be nurtured and trained for adoption. The residents of the housing units will play the role in assistance to the animal shelter as well as the role of foster parents to the animals. A function and space that is inviting and interactive with the general public will be one of the key programs for the architectural design.