Swell
2021 IDEC Student Design Competition - First Place
Saebom Kim, Jessica Tarumoto, and David Kim
This competition asked to design a “socially sustainable” adaptive reuse proposal for a veteran living community.
Our team researched articles, case studies and studies about what the veteran community would need in their life and what is need to be done. Throughout effective research, we got our design concept and direction as swell.
Estimated Veteran Population by Province
Based on demographics, the majority of veterans live in Victoria in BC, so we chose our site in Victoria. In Vancouver Island, we narrowed down our location as you see in the left picture as “SITE 2”. This location is close to rehab, community centre and has a lot of walking trails nearby.
Our design focuses on sympathy for the needs of aged and differently-abled people.
Our residents have an increasing need for compassionate care. Local demographic projections have shown that the average age of veterans will increase between 2016-2026, and housing solutions will be of greater need.
Veteran Population 2016 and 2026
Veterans With a Disability By Age Group
The first concept started as ripple, which has an idea of rhythmic outward growth. They represent a circling embrace or surrounding; a sense of protection.
Ripple became swell. Swell has a meaning of excellent, a gull or gently rounded shape or form which is suitable for our design direction.
Concept Statement
Individual swells of a ripple come together to represent a rhythmic outward growth; a reaching motion and ever-expanding radiation from a central point into the distance. The Swell Veteran Living Community will be a place where individual Veterans come together and feel supported through community integration and connections. This allows Veterans to grow and progress much like the swells of a ripple. A space that facilitates a multi-layered and expanding holistic approach to social sustainability of its residents fosters a community that can provide comfort, build confidence, and encourage personal development.
