MENTAL SECURITY

Label: On Security & Sanctuary
Year: 2023
Tags: #security / #sanctuary / #psychologicaltrauma / #survivors

Mental Security is a permanent sanctuary for domestic violence and human trafficking survivors of the Bay Area. The project is highlighted by various levels of privacy and security implied within the design.

The design mirrors the scale and pattern of adjacent streets and blocks in order to “camouflage” the housing complex into the context. As a result, the complex is divided into 17 masses, with private and public alleys running across the site.

Being on a large site, Mental Security acknowledges the difficulties with socializing in large scale communities for psychological trauma survivors. Therefore, each building is comprised of 10-15 units to form smaller and more intimate communities that provide a comfortable setting for socializing.

MASSING DIAGRAM

2ND FLOOR PLAN

MICRO-BLOCKS

The housing complex is comprised of 17 micro-blocks. Each micro-block gets a large exterior courtyard on the First Floor, and an interior lounge on the Second Floor to provide residents with choices to socialize in an open or enclosed setting.

RANDOM FENESTRATION EFFECT

Fenestration towards the exterior facade is randomized in size and shape to make unit locations illegible from the public. This provides an elevated layer of privacy and security for survivors of psychological trauma, helping residents feel safe and comfortable in their units.

PRIVATE VS. PUBLIC ALLEY

There are two types of alleys within the complex. The private alley (left) is used mainly by residents at 10’ width. The public alley (right) is used by the public as a path across the site at 20’ width. The public alley runs through the center of the site, connecting the commercial street to bus stops. Private alleys are always disrupted by a building mass to discourage public access, whereas the public alleys are complete thorughways to encourage public access.