Painting done of Working Woman by Seantel Trombly
Center for Life
YR. V
Group Members: Seantel Trombly and Craig Johnson
The design for the Center for Life provides layered spaces, to protect and support the women and people occupying it. The rooms located in the center (or “womb”) of the community are providing a safe and clean environment for child birth. The next layer out is an intermediate space for members of the community to come together to teach and learn from one another. There is room for family to come and support their mothers, for children to visit, and for the women themselves to continue their work and engage with other women. The final and outer layer is a space for public community to interact with the center. A wall is designed for people to sell, to meet, and to work with one another. It will create engagement and set an example of the positives that come with a thriving and connected community.
The storyline of our lives, from birth to adulthood, is represented in the hierarchy of these spaces. It represents the need for privacy and support, then teaching and growth, and then networking and markets. The layers are in a way the phases one goes through before they can stand on their own and then help another.
Private - Birthing Center
Intermediate - Support Spaces
Public - Gathering and Market
Ground Level Plan
Women in local market
Hut in front of Primary School in Akpapa Dodomey
Local girl standing on remnants of local town
We began our design process by engaging with the locals of Akpakpa-Dodomey. We curated interviews focused around
the roles in the individuals in the community and if the
structures available allow them to feel empowered or
stagnant. We learned how the lives of many working
woman are often focused to stay in the home,
making it difficult for them to find education
and opportunity. As the providers and
nurturers of this area, she is expected to
sell, care for children, and provide
money and cleanliness. When
money is tight many young
girls are forced to stay at
home to help rather than
embracing opportunities
that may present
themselves.
Section D
Section B
Professor: John Ellis, Architect
Section A
