A Women’s Place

The Design of a Transitional Housing Comminuty for Women and Children

by

Camille A. Mitchell

A thesis

presented to the University of Waterloo

in fulfillment of the
thesis requirement for the degree of
Master of Architecture

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2009

© Camille A. Mitchell 2009
author’s declaration

I hereby declare that I am the sole author

of this thesis. This is a true copy of
the thesis, including any required final
revisions, as accepted by my examiners.

I understand that my thesis may be made

electronically available to the public.

ii
abstract

Transition homes are critical sources of support for women and children
fleeing domestic violence or facing difficulties with housing and poverty. More
than just a safe place to stay, transition homes offer residents access to a variety of
services that will help them to better their lives. The increasing rate of single women
heading households and the rise of homeless women and children are recent social
developments that reflect the need for transition homes. Changes in family lifestyle
require a redefinition of the traditional housing model to involve sharing and providing
services within a larger community. Studies of alternative housing indicate that some
women would prefer to live in women-only housing with moderate design alterations
that address safety concerns. This is particularly relevant to women who frequently
wind up homeless due to problems with career opportunities or managing households
on their own. A communal support structure can assist women with making new
lives for themselves and their families in a transition home and afterwards.
Furthermore, characteristics of the built environment influence personal
wellbeing, social interaction, relationships with staff, and the impression on the
surrounding community. This thesis explores the design of a transition home that
integrates social programs and outreach services to help improve the lives of women
and children in need. Through deliberate design choices, architects can offer an
appropriate solution to women’s housing issues that foster independence, provide
safety and give hope for a brighter future.

iii
acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to thank my thesis supervisor Kathy Velikov
for her invaluable insight, patience, and guidance throughout my work on this thesis.
My committee members Jeff Lederer and Val Rynnimeri also have my gratitude for
their support and encouragement. Special thanks to Andri Lima for her endless
efforts on behalf of all graduate students at the School of Architecture.
I would like to thank Bill Curran and the staff of Their + Curran Architects in
Hamilton for starting me out on this journey. Also to Jana Levitt of Levitt Goodman
Architects, Alan Whittle and those at Good Shepherd Centre, Ann Babcock and
those at WoodGreen Community Centre, for sharing their experiences. To the staff,
volunteers, and residents of Martha’s House, and all the women who graciously gave
their time to speak to me - this thesis owes much to your generous conversation and
discussion.
And finally, to my friends; Vien Nguyen, Amy Yang, Lejla Odabasic, Kelvin
Chan, E.Jae Hamilton, Rosanna Ho, Chloe Doesburg, Duncan Patterson, and
Michael and Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt. I really appreciated your help, the laughs
over exquisite meals and literally sheltering me from the storm.
Thank you.

iv
dedication

To my family. Eye of the tiger.

v
 List of Tables vii
List of Illustrations viii
List of Graphs x

Introduction 1
Methodology and Structure 5

table of contents 1 Women and Housing 9

1.1 Single Mothers 12
1.2 Housing Policies 14
1.3 The Housing Continuum 15
1.4 Affordable Housing 18
1.5 Design Precedents 20
1.6 Intentional Communities 25

2 Site Considerations 33
2.1 NIMBY 33
2.2 Location within the Community 36
2.3 Existing Facilities in Hamilton 39
2.4 Concession Street 48
2.5 Physical Layout 52
2.6 Security Concerns 54

3 Provide Positive Distractions 69

3.1 Noise Isolation 71
3.2 Access to Nature 72
3.3 Prospect-Refuge Theory 73
3.4 The Courtyard 77
3.5 Appropriate Lighting 78
3.6 Materials and Finishes 78
3.7 Colour 80

4 Enable Social Support 83

4.1 Design Layout and Planning 85
4.2 Support Services 85

5 Give a Sense of Control 91

5.1 Residential Units 94

Conclusion 97
References 103

vi
list of tables

Page Figure Description Source

8 1.01 Defining homelessness (Source: Homelessness Partnership

Initiative, 2007)
10 1.02 Resident demographics Statistics Canada, revised by author
13 1.07 Profile of single parents in Hamilton City of Hamilton SPRC Women and
Poverty in Hamilton, revised by author
16 1.09 Housing continuum of care Sam Davis, revised by author
1.10 Most common problems facing women Statistics Canada, revised by author
shelters
17 1.12 Subsidized housing availability in City of Hamilton SPRC On Any Given
Hamilton Night, revised by author

70 3.01 Sources of stress Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen,

and Martin Mador
3.02 Type of abuse experienced by shelter YWCA Canada
residents
3.03 Mental health / emotional issues of YWCA Canada
shelter residents

vii
list of illustrations

Page Figure Description Source

2 0.01 Changing Faces By author

19 1.13 The housing continuum By author
20 1.14 a-c Robertson House www.hariripontarini.com
21 1.15 a-c Les jardins du Y des femmes www.atelierbigcity.com
22 1.16 a-b Centre des femmes de Montréal Canadian Architect
23 1.17 a-c Huburtus House for Unwed Mothers, Aldo Van Eyck, Works
24 1.18 Relational Diagrams of Intentional Com- By author
munities

34 2.01 Entrance buffers By author

37 2.02 Locations within the community By author
38 2.03 Existing shelter services in Hamilton By author
40 2.04 Amenities and services in Hamilton By author
42 2.05 a Interval House, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
2.05 b-e Interval House, diagrams and photo- By author
graphs
43 2.06 a Inasmuch House, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
2.06 b-e Inasmuch House, diagrams and photo- By author
graphs
44 2.07 a MarthaHouse, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
2.07 b-e Martha House, diagrams and photographs By author

viii
45 2.07 a Native Women Centre, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
2.07 b-e Native Women Centre, diagrams and By author
photographs
46 2.09 a Family Centre, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
2.09 b-e Family Centre, diagrams and photographs By author

47 2.10 a Women’s Services Centre, arial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author

2.10 b-c Women’s Services Centre, diagrams By author
48 2.10 d Women’s Services Centre, rendering www.tcarch.ca
50 2.11 Concession Street amenities By author
52 2.12 Building scale By author
53 2.13 Building layout By author
56 2.14 Site amenities By author
57 2.15 Aerial view www.myhamilton.ca, revised by author
58 2.16 Ground floor plan By author
59 2.17 Second floor plan By author
60 2.18 Concession Street north elevation By author
62 2.19 Upper Wentworth Street west elevation By author
64 2.20 Alpine Street south elevation By author
66 2.21 Courtyard Section By author

72 3.04 The chapel By author

74 3.05 Prospect refuge theory By author
75 3.06 Aspects of security Nathan Petherick, revised by author
76 3.07 Site axonometric By author
79 3.08 Daylighting By author

82 4.01 Social support By author

84 4.02 Visual and acoustic permeability By author
4.03 Focal point placement By author
87 4.04 Furniture arrangement By author
88 4.05 Studio and coffee shop section By author

90 5.01 Spatial hierarchy By author

92 5.02 Unit plans By author
93 5.03 Unit plans By author
95 5.04 Household section By author

ix
list of graphs

Page Figure Description Source

11 1.03 Breakdown of poverty rates City of Hamilton SPRC Women and

Poverty in Hamilton, revised by author
1.04 Poverty in Hamilton City of Hamilton SPRC Women and
Poverty in Hamilton, revised by author
1.05 Income by gender City of Hamilton SPRC Women and
Poverty in Hamilton, revised by author
13 1.06 Income gap by family type City of Hamilton SPRC Women and
Poverty in Hamilton, revised by author
1.08 Percentage of single parent households YWCA Canada
in Canada
17 1.11 Rate of readmission Statistics Canada, revised by author

x
introduction

Initially, I was apprehensive about entering Martha’s House when I first got
there. Media portrayals and preconceived notions were filling my mind with visions
of what I might encounter inside. Martha’s House is an emergency shelter dedicated
to assisting women and children who are fleeing abuse. It is one of four Violence
Against Women Shelters in Hamilton. This facility is located in the city’s downtown
core; an area prone to crime, drug abuse and prostitution. The building itself is a
former Victorian estate home which has seen its share of haphazard renovations and
additions.
I built up the courage, ascended the uncovered porch, rang the buzzer and
then waited. I could hear muffled voices and feet scuffling from behind the door.
The blinds parted in the adjacent window and closed again once I identified myself
through the crackling intercom system. The door opened and I was warmly greeted
by a female case worker. She immediately escorted me through a maze of locked
doors to a small over-furnished room to await the facility coordinator. Nearly fifteen
minutes passed before the coordinator arrived, explaining that she had been tied up
in an important phone call. She proceeded to give a brief orientation of the shelter’s
programs, a quick tour of the facility, and then I was dropped off in the dining room
as the coordinator went to see about another matter.
I sat in the middle of the dining room at a table all to myself. I was sur-
rounded by plastic furniture, bare walls and locks on every door and cabinet. The
environment balanced somewhere between a day care centre and a prison. I watched
as staff busily went about their business and residents lingered from one room to
another in search of some form of activity.
Prior to arriving at Martha’s House that day, I was involved with a local archi-
tecture firm that was in the process of designing a new transition home for women
and children escaping violent homes in Hamilton. My objective was to discuss con-

1
Fig. 0.1  Changing faces Women residing in
transition homes are not a homogeneous group.

2
cerns regarding the current facility with staff and residents and to observe their daily
activities. This exercise was to assist with the design and programmatic layout of the
new building.
Curiosity eventually brought three of the residents to my table. They were
of various ages and races, and told different stories of what brought them to Martha’s
House. One woman explained that she had been living in and out of area shelters for
the past fifteen years. She was allotted subsidized housing several times but was never
able to manage raising her children, working, and running a home on her own. She
now resided at Martha’s House while her teenage sons lived in an adolescent group
home.
A younger woman talked about having recently emigrated from Ethiopia
with her husband. When she made the decision to leave their abusive relationship, she
was referred to Martha’s House since she did not know of anyone else to turn to.
I recognized the third lady from a public town hall meeting for the project
that was held a few weeks before. The design team, municipal figures, neighbour-
hood groups, and the not-for-profit organization had presented an overall review of
the new women’s transitional housing facility to the surrounding community. This
woman had continually interrupted all invited speakers as a means to bring attention
to all the homeless women, like herself, who were being denied the use of social ser-
vice programs in the area.
These stories are similar to the approximate 1,600 women that stay at one of
Hamilton’s Violence Against Women shelters annually.1 Among the residents, eight
out of ten are fleeing abusive environments. Domestic violence is the primary reason
women and children seek protection in an emergency shelter.2
Where do women go once they leave an emergency shelter? In Hamilton,
the maximum length of time an individual or family may stay in an emergency shelter
is forty-two consecutive nights. This is a short period of time to establish a new and
safe residence outside of the shelter community. The number of women and children
that are living below the poverty line, without decent affordable housing or any form
of support, has increased in Hamilton over recent years. The need for long-term
housing and affordable accommodations is an ongoing challenge for shelter pro-
grams across Canada.3 The availability of subsidized housing is quite limited and the
waiting list can range from weeks to years. The lack of affordable housing is one of
the main reasons women continue to live with abusive partners.4
Women and children are amongst the fastest rising group experiencing
homelessness in the area. Many women find themselves homeless because of pov-
erty, domestic violence or family breakup. Not having a place to call home restricts
access to necessities such as adequate shelter, security, nutritious foods, education and
outreach programs. Furthermore, many women and families are not physically, fi-
nancially or emotionally prepared for independent living and seek more support than
what is available through subsidized housing. The majority of single mothers require
social assistance in order to meet their daily needs. One’s vision of self-worth may
begin to erode due to fears, uncertainties, isolation or limited opportunities and cause

3
them to identify with failure and helplessness.5
Affordable housing alone cannot alleviate the problems domestic violence,
substance abuse or poverty inflict on the lives of women and children. Many require
counselling services, job training, childcare or are in search of an accepting commu-
nity. Transition homes provide essential programs that support women and children
when they leave emergency shelters or are referred from other agencies. These facili-
ties are an intermediate step between emergency crisis shelter and permanent hous-
ing. Transition homes are intended to be a safe and supportive environment where
residents can overcome trauma and begin to rebuild their lives. The programs are
geared towards helping residents become self-sufficient prior to assisting them with
locating permanent accommodations. The term of residency is temporary, but this
period may fall anywhere from two months to two years. A sense of stabilization is
required in order for women to independently manage a home and obtain perma-
nent housing. Through living within a community of shared and similar experiences,
women and families are regularly exposed to positive models for confronting poten-
tial challenges.
Housing a transitional community involves various social, political and eco-
nomical issues. It is also a design problem that requires the service of an architect
to help create a supportive and therapeutic environment. This thesis explores design
principle that can be used to situate a suitable transition home within an urban loca-
tion and create a therapeutic environment. A design proposal strives to integrate
communal living, public programs, and outreach services to help improve the lives of
women and children in need. Through deliberate design choices, architects can offer
an appropriate solution to women’s housing issues that foster independence, provide
safety and give hope for a brighter future.
The increasing rate of single women heading households and the rise of
homeless women and children are recent social developments that are in direct cor-
relation to the high demand for transition housing projects.6 Basic shelter alone can-
not provide the needed stability in the lives of women and children using this service.
Changes in family lifestyle require a redefinition of the traditional housing model to
involve sharing and providing services within a larger community. Studies of alterna-
tive housing indicate that some women would prefer to live in women-only housing
with moderate design alterations that address safety concerns.7 This is particularly
relevant to women who frequently wind up homeless due to stress of seeking career
opportunities and managing a household on their own. A communal support struc-
ture can assist women with making a new life for themselves and their families in a
transition home and afterwards. Furthermore, characteristics of the built environ-
ment influence personal wellbeing, social interaction, relationships with staff, and the
impression on the surrounding community.

4
METHODOLOGY AND STRUCTURE

This thesis has been divided into four chapters that outline the research and
arguments to support the proposal for a new transition home for women and children
fleeing abuse in Hamilton. The issues and arguments presented throughout the thesis
have been assembled from a variety of sources including books, reports, newspaper
articles and the internet. The design and content has also been influenced by personal
experience working on the design of a women’s shelter in Hamilton and by conversa-
tions with architects, facility managers and shelter residents.
The first chapter, Women and Housing, provides background information
on those who are housed in transition homes. Statistics show that women, as a select
group, are at particular risk of poverty. This inequity is true for any indicator of age,
income, family status or ethnicity. In order to understand the complexities of poverty
in Hamilton and develop an effective response, this chapter examines how poverty
impacts men and women differently. Analytical reports from Statistics Canada and
YWCA Canada outline key factors and information to support a transition home
project. The lack of affordable housing and female poverty are common factors in
the demand for additional emergency housing projects across the country. The re-
ports also provide detailed accounts of the challenges existing facilities face when
providing affordable housing for a specific segment of the population. The Social
Planning and Research Council of Hamilton produced the reports “On Any Given
Night” and “Women and Poverty”. These help to understanding the most prevalent
issues in regards to women and housing in Hamilton.
I was fortunate to have met with individuals involved with facilitating existing
transition homes in our communities. Anne Babcock, the Vice President of Plan-

5
ning and Operations at WoodGreen Community Services, discussed the success and
challenges of implementing non-profit transitional housing for women and children.
Homeward Bound, a transition home in Toronto managed by WoodGreen Com-
munity and designed by Levitt Goodman Architects, was a precedent for design and
program decisions in this thesis. Alan Whittle, Director of Community Relations
and Planning for Good Shepherd Services in Hamilton, openly shared resource and
statistical information that influences their decisions on what type of services are
required in the city.
In October of 2008, I participated in a conference on awareness of abuse
against women that was sponsored by the Catholic Family Services of Toronto. This
was an open discussion to address family violence which included former shelter
residents, social workers, community activist and church leaders. Workshops centered
on specific topics such as children witnessing domestic violence or how to help the
men that abuse. The presentation from Deborah Sinclaire, a social worker and social
activist, was important in understanding how violence against women is portrayed
and tolerated in our society.
More than Housing: Lifeboats for Women and Children, written by Joan Forrester
Sprague, provides insight on the influence traditional women’s roles have on modern
housing structures. The author promotes communal living as a means to counter
women’s poverty issues in modern society.
The second chapter, Site Considerations, highlights the importance and af-
fect of location on the success and image of a transition home. Prevalent informa-
tion regarding site selection is presented in Shelters for Battered Women (Shotack), More
than Housing: Lifeboats for Women and Children (Forrester Sprague), and the article “Second
Stage Shelters: Closing the Gap” prepared by the Council of Women’s Shelters. I
also met with directors of transition homes in Hamilton and Toronto who addressed
their concerns on site selection. Initial planning must take into account the proximity
to public transportation, availability of local amenities and ways to address NIMBY
concerns. The site for the project was determined after compiling profiles of existing
women shelters in Hamilton and studying their relationship to the city and neighbour-
ing vicinity.
The final three chapters evaluate aspects and characteristics of the built en-
vironment that can affect human well-being. The statements regarding human be-
haviour or our attitudes toward the built environment are based on empirical research
within the field of environmental psychology. The architectural program was devel-
oped through various sources including literature, online material and conversations
with architects, facility managers, and shelter staff and residents.
Hospital interior architecture: Creating healing environments for special patient popula-
tions (Malkin), Designing Places for people: A handbook oh human behaviour for Architects, De-
signers, and Facility Managers (Deasy) and Housing as if people mattered: Site design guidelines
for medium-density family housing (Marcus Cooper) outline design principles that contrib-
ute towards creating a therapeutic environment in either a residential or a healthcare
setting.

6
 Biophilic design : The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life, edited
by Kellert, Heerwagen, and Mador, presents the necessity of maintaining, enhancing
and restoring the experience of nature in the built environment. The publication is a
collection of articles written by architects, behavioural scientists and healthcare pro-
fessionals for the use of natural elements in the built environment and their effects on
human behaviour. Roger Ulrich’s chapter, “Biophilic Theory and Research for health-
care Design” provides an introduction to the underlying concepts of Biophilic design.
“Architectural lessons from environmental psychology: the case for Biophilic Archi-
tecture” (Joye) and “When buildings don’t work: The role of architecture in Human
Health” (Evans and McCoy) are additional resources from the field of environmental
psychology that influenced the design decisions in this thesis.

Notes

1 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2007. On Any Given Night:
Measuring Homelessness in Hamilton.
2 Leslie M. Tutty, PhD. Effective Practices in Sheltering Women Leaving Violence in Intimate
Relationships. Toronto, ON: YWCA Canada, 2006.
3 Andrea Taylor-Butts, “Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2003/04” Statistics
Canada - Catalogue no. 85-002-XiE, Vol. 25, No.3, (2005)
4 Leslie M. Tutty, PhD. Effective Practices in Sheltering Women Leaving Violence in Intimate
Relationships. Toronto, ON: YWCA Canada, 2006.
5 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston ;
Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
6 Ibid.
7 Sylvia Novac. 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative housing. To-
ronto, Ont.: Women’s Services Network.

7
Fig. 1.1  Defining Homelessness

8
01
WOMEN AND HOUSING

The topic of the “homeless” in Canada once referred to a relatively small

number of transient single men living in flop houses in Toronto, Montreal or Van-
couver. Today, homelessness in Canada is recognized as a crisisthat is both rural and
urban. The mayors of Canada’s ten largest cities have declared homelessness as a
national disaster.1
Hamilton, like other Canadian cities, faces a range of serious social issues
which interact to create homelessness. Homeless people are not a homogenous
group. The homeless population consists of many single men and women, families,
youth, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, and some people with severe mental ill-
nesses and other serious health problems.2 The lack of adequate income and the lack
of affordable housing are major contributing factors to homelessness. In Hamilton
alone, nearly 4,000 men, women and children depend on emergency shelters for ac-
commodations each year.3
Women and children are amongst the fastest rising group experiencing home-
lessness in Canada. Many wind up homeless because of poverty, domestic violence or
family break-ups. The lack of affordable housing and pay inequity further contributes
to high poverty rates amongst women.4 Approximately one in four people living on
the streets of Hamilton are women. However, those visibly living on the streets are
not a true representation of women’s experience with homelessness.5 The suscepti-
bility to violence and sexual assault or child apprehension into government care make
living literally on the street nearly impossible for the majority of homeless women.6
Therefore, women at risk of becoming homeless may endure constant threats or do-
mestic violence in order to avoid losing the roof over their heads.
Statistics show that women’s housing problems are in direct correlation with
the disproportionate number of women living in poverty across the country. This
inequity is applicable to all women in spite of age, income, family status or ethnicity.7

9
Fig. 1.2  Resident Demographics

10
Fig. 1.3  BREAKDOWN OF POVERTY RATES

Fig. 1.4  POVERTY IN HAMILTON

Fig. 1.5  INCOME BY GENDER

11
Twenty percent of Hamilton’s residents are living on low income. However, women
are far more likely to live in poverty than men. In Hamilton, women consist of 52
percent of the adult population but they account for nearly 60 percent of those living
in poverty.8 This number rises when other factors are taken into consideration, such
as race, parental status, ability and age. These conclusions are confirmed by existing
shelter surveys that indicate a significant increase in the number of single women,
women with children, and particularly Aboriginal and black women who have had to
rely on emergency shelters for housing.9
Pay inequities must also be considered when comparing the poverty levels of
men and women. Canada has the fifth largest wage gap between women and men out
of 29 developed countries.10 Although more and more women are entering the work
force, equity in wages continues to be an uphill battle. Similar to the national trend,
women in Hamilton earn lower incomes than men. Full time employment, type of
work, age or education has little impact in reducing the wage gap.

1.1 Single Mothers

Census figures indicate that approximately a quarter of all households with

children in Canada are headed by single women.11 Over the past few decades, there
has been a steady increase in the amount of women managing the home and raising
a family on their own. Historically, the proportion of single-parent households in
Canada was high at the beginning of the 20th century. During this time, there was a
greater possibility of becoming widowed due to less developed medical technology,
poor health conditions, or through war. The number of single-parent households
was very low during the baby-boom period, from 1946 to 1965. This was a time when
families were more often comprised of married couples and children. Legalizing di-
vorce in 1968 was a significant factor in the growth of single parent households.12
Single parenthood is temporary for some women while for others it may
simply be preferred or a fact of life. Today, there are more single parents that have
never been married as opposed to widowed. This is partially attributed to a greater
social acceptance in having children outside of marriage or in common-law rela-
tionships.13 Furthermore, more middle class and educated women are intentionally
changing the conventional family structure through raising children on their own.14
However, these single mothers are likely to be self-sufficient, have a career and other
networks of support.
Single-parent households are often thought of as having high rates of pov-
erty. In actuality, it is single parent families headed by women that have significantly
high rates of poverty. Eighty per cent of single parent households are comprised of
women and their children. In Canada, poverty rates among single mothers are higher
than any other family type or group. Statistics Canada reported that an essential aspect
of women’s poverty is the presence of children. This factor had more relevance than
age, marital status, race or education. Women continue to be the primary caregivers as

12
Fig. 1.6  INCOME GAP BY FAMILY TYPE Fig. 1.7  PROFILE OF SINGLE PARENTS IN
HAMILTON

Fig. 1.8  PERCENTAGE OF SINGLE PARENT

HOUSEHOLDS IN CANADA

13
most children live with their mothers in two-parent or single-parent households. The
responsibility of child rearing, lower income levels, lack of adequate childcare and
financial responsibilities are elements that contribute to women’s poverty.15

1.2 Housing Policies

Not having a place to call home restricts access to necessities such as suitable
shelter, security, nutritious foods, education and outreach programs. It can also affect
the overall well-being of an individual and might increase stress, lower self-esteem
and isolate people from the community.16
Over the past few decades, a number of key Criminal Code amendments
have been put in place to improve the criminal justice and legal framework for ad-
dressing family violence and housing in Canada. These efforts were largely brought
forward by women’s groups and grassroots movements and reflected an increased
awareness of domestic violence and the issues that abused women face.17 The imple-
mentation of spousal abuse charging and mandatory prosecution policies stemmed
from the legal efforts to combat domestic violence.
The shelter and safe house movement in the Canada began in the early 1970s.
Raising social awareness about the serious nature of domestic violence was a difficult
task.18 Members of the women’s movement were among the first to recognize the
large volume of women that were experiencing physical and sexual abuse from their
intimate partner. These groups were instrumental in the development of drop in
centres, health service facilities and further activism on behalf of victimized women.
Victims of domestic abuse, community figures and political leaders all worked
together and determined that the absence of alternative housing was one of the most
critical issues facing women who leave an abusive environment. Protective housing
facilities started to appear across Canada in the 1970s once legislative changes were
formed to protect women’s rights and provide emergency shelters for secure refuge.
The first facilities in Canada were Interval House in Toronto and Vancouver’s Transi-
tion House.
Over the following decade, social awareness continued to grow of the chal-
lenges and problems rooted in domestic violence. Joint efforts and partnerships
amongst the federal and provincial governments and community organizations re-
sulted in the development of an extensive network of transition homes and emer-
gency shelters across the country. The fundamental cause of this shift during the
1980s was how the justice system responded to domestic violence: it was no longer
treated as a private matter.19 Each province and territory has charging and prosecu-
tion directives or policies in place to ensure that spousal violence cases are treated as
criminal offences. Moreover, these policies also aim to ensure the safety and security
of victims, promote victim reporting to police and increase the system’s capacity to
handle domestic issues. Mandatory prosecution policies require that charges be laid
where there are reasonable and probable grounds to do so, regardless of the victim’s

14
wishes. Therefore, the victim is relieved of the burden of determining whether or
not to press or drop charges.
In the 1990s, initiatives undertaken in the United States and Great Britain
influenced provincial governments across Canada to adopt legislation that offered a
civil remedy for victims of violence by their cohabitants. This type of initiative was
generally represented as an effort to be more responsive to the needs of victims by
providing more immediate and accessible options for safety than what was available
under criminal law. Components of the protective order may be to remove the abuser
from the home or to prohibit the abuser from communicating with the victim. Sas-
katchewan was the first province in Canada to implement such legislation in 1995.
The Victims of Domestic Violence Act has since served as a model for similar legisla-
tion in many other provinces.

1.3 The Housing Continuum

Women’s emergency shelters and transition homes are an important aspect

of the Homeless-Housing Continuum. This consists of a range of housing forms
that vary depending on support services and on the occupant’s ability to pay. The
Homeless-Housing Continuum is in recognition of housing needs as well as the vul-
nerabilities of those at risk of becoming homeless. Housing with support services
provides vulnerable individuals and families with the necessary support to live a stable
and independent life.20 Homeless shelters are at one end of the spectrum and home
ownership is at the other. Understandably, moving through the continuum is not
always a linear progression as individuals and families may move back and forth de-
pending on their circumstances. The project described in this thesis was based on the
assumption that the housing is largely transitional and clients would move through a
continuum of housing with ever decreasing levels of support.
The occupancy rates of emergency shelters for men, women, youth and fam-
ilies have increased across Hamilton. Based on available data, the number of people
accessing the city’s emergency shelter services has more than doubled since 1995.21
Currently, there are 509 emergency shelter beds in Hamilton serving all sectors of the
population. The majority of emergency shelter beds are for single men. The second
largest group of beds is for women and children staying in Violence Against Women
shelters. Approximately 1,600 women are admitted into one of the VAW shelters
each year. Nearly three-quarters of these women are accompanied by children.
The majority of women’s shelter beds are for women who experience vio-
lence, the major cause of homelessness for women in Hamilton. There are four
types of emergency services programs for women in in the city that offer temporary
accommodations. They are emergency shelters, Violence Against Women (VAW)
shelters, transition homes and seasonal programs such as Out of the Cold. The VAW
shelters and transition homes are the only facilities that will accept mothers accompa-
nied by young children.

15
Fig. 1.9  HOUSING CONTINUUM OF CARE

Fig. 1.10  MOST COMMON PROBLEMS FACING WOMEN SHELTERS

16
Fig. 1.11  RATE OF READMISSION

Fig. 1.12  Subsidized Housing Availability in Hamilton (2006)

17
 Some shelters have limits on how long a woman can stay, while others do not.
The longer a woman is allowed to stay, the more time she has to gather the resources
that she will need to look after herself. However, the longer the women stay, the fewer
women who are in crisis can be housed. Shelters that do not limit the length of stay,
find that most women will return home or make alternate living arrangements once
the crisis has passed.22 However, finding new accommodations may be limited by the
shortage of available housing. Other shelters limit the length of a resident’s stay, or
reach individual length-of-stay agreements with residents based on their needs and
how quickly they anticipate finding a place to live. Some shelters are able to combine
temporary shelter with transitional housing option. Women stay in the temporary
shelter, then move to longer-term transitional housing where they may stay for a year
or two until they find permanent housing.

1.4 Affordable Housing

In the 1950s, the federal government played a leading role in the develop-
ment of assisted rental housing. In 1993 the federal government froze federal contri-
butions to social housing. The federal cutbacks were followed by significant provincial
cutbacks. Ontario adopted policies that shifted the responsibility of housing and so-
cial programs onto municipal governments. A weaker municipal tax base was unable
to keep up with demand for affordable rental accommodation or the maintenance of
existing buildings.23 The extensive waiting list for social housing shows the need for
more subsidized housing in Hamilton.
There are approximately 4,000 people on the waiting list for social housing
in Hamilton. Despite recognition of abused women as “special priorities”, there is
no accurate way of determining the number of women on the social housing wait
lists.24 Provincial Coroner’s Inquests have recommended that access to housing for
women fleeing violence be improved and expedited. However, the “special priority”
status definition for access to social housing has recently been broadened to include
all forms of violence committed within any individual’s home. Due to lack of afford-
able housing, vulnerable women and families are forced to compete for basic shelter
needs.25 This may result in more women becoming homeless or others returning to
abusive homes, and quite possibly to their deaths.26
Over 300,000 households in Ontario still pay more than half their income on
rent.27 Vacancy rates are high in the upper end of the rental market, which largely
consists of condominium units. While most women are unable to afford these rents,
they may be forced into these expensive units due to the lack of alternatives. Women
often face a chronic struggle of living beyond their means with minimal resources for
food and clothing for themselves or families.
Other barriers to women obtaining decent, secure and affordable housing are
due to the physical and social needs that distinguish women from men.28 Women are
often the primary caregivers to all generations of family and therefore require housing

18
within close proximity to schools, hospitals, and community programs.
Emergency shelter workers report that women who have used the rent sup-
plement programs in privately owned housing are vulnerable to unscrupulous land-
lords who have access to personal and financial information. They may be subject to
threats and sexual harassment because they are dependent on the subsidy to afford
the rent.29
Studies of alternative housing have shown that some women have a prefer-
ence for women-only housing. The women preferred other women as neighbours
to avoid exposure to sexual harassment or threats of violence. Design alterations
are required to address safety concerns due to the amount of women fleeing abusive
environments.30
Transition homes for women and children can deliver essential programs
that support women and children when they leave emergency shelters or are referred
from other agencies. These facilities are also referred to as second stage shelters or
bridge housing.31 Transition homes help many women and families steer clear of a
life of abuse or homelessness. They give a woman the necessary time to heal from
the trauma of an abusive relationship, to pursue careers or educational opportunities
and a new home for her family.

Fig. 1.13  THE HOUSING CONTINUUM

19
1.5 Design Precedents

Robertson House Crisis Care Centre

Taylor Hariri Pontarini Architects, 1995
Toronto, ON

Robertson House is a temporary shelter for

A
women and their children located along Sherbourne
Street in Downtown Toronto. It is a two-storey,
L-shaped addition that wraps around Victorian
estates and forms a large courtyard. The courtyard
is central to the design as the principal program
spaces open directly onto it. The courtyard is the
focal point for the shelters internal community and
conveys a sense of protection. Common areas
provide opportunities for residents to interact and
share their experiences. This justified the architects’
decision to make the bedrooms smaller than
conventional practices. Smaller rooms discouraged
too much introversion and encourage residents to
participate community-based activities.
B
Awards
2003 Ontario Association of Architects Award
– Architecture of Excellence
2001 Wood Design Awards – Citation Award
– Residential Category
2000 Toronto Architecture & Urban Awards
1995 Canadian Architects Awards – Award of
Excellence

Fig. 1.14  ROBERTSON HOUSE

Fig. 1.15  LES JARDINS DU Y DES FEMMES
C

20
 Les jardins du Y des femmes
Atelier Big City - Howard Davis Architects
Montreal  

Les jardins du Y des femmes is a transition

A
home for women located downtown Montreal.
The courtyard is also a key element of the design.
The bright green siding is really vibrant compared
the dark stone exterior which helps to animate the
courtyard. Social interaction amongst residents in
encouraged through balconies that look over this
communal space.
The building was recognized by the Ordre
des architectes du Québec as a finalist for the
Awards of Excellence in the category of Muilti-
Unit Residential Project.

B C

21
Centre des femmes de Montréal    
Nomade - Lauzon Pelland Architects
Montreal, QC    

The mission of the Centre des femmes de

Montréal is to provide services to help women help A
themselves. To accomplish its mission, the Centre
offers educational and vocational training, infor-
mation, counselling and referral services.
This non-profit organization communicates wom-
en’s concerns to the public and acts as a catalyst for
change regarding women’s issues.
I have reviewed the therapeutic and educational
programs that the facility provides and wish to in-
corporate them into the project. A difference be-
tween the Centre des femmes de Montréal and the de-
sign project is that there will be a place for women
to live as well as learn.
The addition to the building by Nomade
- Lauzon Pelland architects was recognized by the
Ordre des architectes du Québec as a finalist for the
Awards of Excellence in the category of Institu-
tional Projects. B

Fig. 1.16  CENTRE DES FEMMES DE MONTREAL

Fig. 1.17  HUBURTUS HOUSE FRO UNWED MOTHERS

22
 Huburtus House for Unwed Mothers, Aldo
van Eyck, 1973-8
Amsterdam

This is a cheerful multicoloured place for

single women and children. Two of the building
previously existed prior to van Eyck’s colourful
contribution. Transparent elements and vibrant
colours are applied throughout the building to
help animate the relationship between exterior and
A
interior space.

B C

23
Fig. 1.18  RELATIONAL Diagrams of Intentional Communities

24
1.6 Intentional Communities

Women who have experienced domestic violence, who are recovering from
living on the streets, or who are struggling to raise a family, can benefit from close
peer support and sharing.32 Communal living offers opportunities for informal so-
cial interactions and encourages spontaneous cooperation with childcare or preparing
meals, which allows more time for personal development.
Many people choose to live in a community because it offers a way of life
which is different, in various ways, from that of the rest of society. An intention-
al community is a general term that represents a wide variety of living alternatives.
Thousands exist today and there is enormous diversity among them. Most communi-
ties share land or housing, but more importantly, their members share a common vi-
sion and work actively to carry out their common purpose. Intentional communities
include housing cooperatives, kibbutzim, ashrams, and monasteries.
The purpose of intentional communities may vary, but they account for
shared resources, egalitarian values or self-reliance. Similar programmatic elements
can influence and reinforce the physical design of a transition home for women and
children. Courtyards and access to nature is important to the various groups for
spiritual healing and physical recreation. Spiritual centres, education, childrearing and
dining are communal activities that are emphasised in these communities.
The degree of privacy and autonomy in communities varies as widely as the
kinds of communities themselves. In some communities individual families own their
land and house, their degree of privacy and autonomy is similar to the rest of society.
In communities with specific religious or spiritual lifestyles, such as monasteries or
some meditation retreats, privacy and autonomy are typically more limited, a part of
the reason for which the community was organized.

25
Cohousing

One of the fastest growing forms of inten-
tional communities is cohousing. Cohousing is a type
of collaborative housing in which residents actively
participate in the design and operation of their own
neighbourhoods. The concept originated in Denmark,
and was brought to North America the early 1980s.
The Danish concept of “living community” has spread
to hundreds of cohousing communities around the
world.
Cohousing residents are consciously com-
mitted to living as a community. The physical design
encourages both social contact and individual space.
Private homes contain all the features of conventional
homes but are often found clustered around a com-
mon house. Residents have access to extensive com-
mon facilities such as open space, courtyards, a play-
ground and a common house. The common house is
the social center of a community.33 It contains a large
dining room and kitchen, lounge, recreational facilities,
children’s spaces, and frequently a guest room, work-
shop and laundry room. Communities usually serve
optional group meals in the common house various
times throughout the week.
Cohousing residents participate in the plan-
ning, design, ongoing management and maintenance
of their community and meet frequently to address
each of these processes. Cohousing neighbourhoods
tend to offer environmentally sensitive design with a
pedestrian orientation. They are typically designed as
attached or single-family homes along one or more pe-
destrian streets or clustered around a courtyard. They
typically range from 10-35 households emphasizing a
multi-generational mix singles, couples, and families
with children, and elders. Cohousing provides per-
sonal privacy combined with the benefits of living in a
community where people know and interact with their
neighbours.

26
Monasteries

A monastery is the place of prayer, worship,

and residence of a religious community whose mem-
bers are bound by religious vows that separate them
from the world and its distractions. They are economi-
cally independent. The dominant feature of Western
monasticism was its communal character. The size of
individual communities varied according to their finan-
cial endowments and prestige. Some monasteries had
only two or three members while others consisted of
nearly a thousand members.
The origins of the typical monastic plan are
obscure. The intent is that it is inward-looking, with the
intention of seclusion. The cloister was often central
to the monastery plan. The word cloister derived from
the Latin word claustrum, “a shut-in place.”
Monastic life circulated around the cloister as
all buildings typically used by the residents opened off
of it. This included the church, the chapter house for
community meetings, the dormitory, the refectory, and
storage facilities. The infirmary was usually kept quite
a distance away from the cloister and the surrounding
buildings. Separate quarters were created for the com-
munity’s leader, the abbot or prior.
Many monasteries also maintained external
schools for children Within the complex there were
usually accommodations for guests separate from the
dormitories. Optional facilities might include a chapel
for the use of visitors as they were not permitted in the
church used by the monks or nuns. Gatehouses and
elaborate kitchens were occasionally built within a mo-
nastic complex.
The church was always the most imposing fea-
ture within a monastery and gave some indication of
the wealth and prosperity of the monastery.34 The plan
of a monastic church reflects the nature of the com-
munity. Most have large naves because public preach-
ing and teaching were extremely important.

27
Ashrams

Ashrams are a part of an ancient Indian tra-

dition that dates back thousands of years. The word
ashram is derived from the Sanskrit term “aashraya”,
which means protection. Traditional ashrams were a
secluded place for a community of Hindus leading a
life of peace and simplicity through religious media-
tion. They are considered as the house of where a
true Guru is living and teaching God-seekers seeking
spiritual advice and help. The purpose of Guru is to
provide the environment for a spiritual retreat to offer
the best possible environment in preparation to achieve
oneness with God.35 Most ashrams outside of India are
headed by religious leaders or Gurus of Indian decent.
However, ashrams are now guided by persons of any
gender, race, religion or cultural background. Ashrams
around the world no longer tend to focus on a particu-
lar religion and are open to everyone.
Ashrams have come to be recognized as inten-
tional communities that offer spiritual guidance for its
members. Traditionally, most ashrams accommodate
only the Guru while some offer visitors somewhere to
stay. The length of stay varies from months to years to
permanent residency which is similar to the tradition in
Christian Monasteries. It is customary for ashrams to
not charge for their services and to serve on a basis of
free donations in order to make spiritual services avail-
able to the less fortunate.
Some Ashrams are marked with a red flag to be
recognized by pilgrims on their spiritual journey. The
goal of a pilgrimage to the ashram may be for tranquil-
ity or to receive instruction in an art form or a trade.
Ashrams were traditionally located in secluded environ-
ments that were far from human habitation. They were
often situated in forests, mountainous regions, or natu-
ral surroundings favourable for spiritual instruction and
medetation. Ashrams range in size from a small cave to
as large as a temple or monastery. Residents of an ash-
ram regularly perform spiritual and physical exercises,
such as the various forms of Yoga. Many ashrams also
served as residential schools for children.

28
Kibbutzim

The first kibbutz was formed in 1909 by a

group of young Jewish settlers from Eastern Europe
that came to Israel to reclaim the soil of their ancient
homeland and to create a new way of life.37 They built
their new home on the principle of common owner-
ship of all assets and on responsibility of one for all
and all for one. All members were entitled to hous-
ing, furniture, food, clothing, medical services, cultural
activities, and education for themselves and their chil-
dren. In return, they were expected to work in the kib-
butz according to his or her ability.
The size of a kibbutz can vary from less than
a hundred members to over a thousand. Every kibbutz
had a communal dining hall, cultural centre, library, of-
fices, and children’s house. Some communities pro-
vided recreational facilities through swimming pools,
basketball courts, tennis courts, concert halls and play-
ing fields. The buildings were often set in traffic-free
landscaped public gardens. Any workshops, garages, or
factories were positioned to the side and out of sight.
In the 1920s kibbutzim began the practice of
raising children communally away from their parents in
special communities called Children Societies. Trained
nurses and teachers were considered more suitable to
raise children than their busy or inexperienced parents.
It was believed that children and parents would have
better relationships since parents would not have to act
as disciplinarians. The Children’s Society was intended
to liberate women from their maternal responsibilities
and they were free to work or enjoy leisure activities.
Egalitarian beliefs were expressed in housing
through uniformity, regardless of individual needs. In
the traditional kibbutz, the members’ living quarters
were built according to static patterns with identical ex-
terior appearances. There was often no consideration
in the planning for topographical differences within the
landscape, solar orientation or views of the landscape.
What was meant in good faith to create outward equali-
ty could contribute to inequality between the members’
quality of life. Disputes within several kibbutzes have
been attributed to the disregard of the environmental
context in the initial planning.38

29
Notes

1 Sylvia Novac, 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative housing. To-
ronto, Ont.: Women’s Services Network.
2 Ibid.
3 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2007. On Any Given Night:
Measuring Homelessness in Hamilton.
4 Ibid.
5 Sylvia Novac, op. cit.
6 Ibid.
7 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2006. Women and Poverty in
Hamilton.
8 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2006. Women and Poverty in
Hamilton.
9 Sylvia Novac, op. cit.
10 Ibid.
11 Taylor-Butts, Andrea. “Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2003/04” Statistics
Canada - Catalogue no. 85-002-XiE, Vol. 25, No.3, (2005).
12 Stats Canada – family structure
13 Stats Canada – family structure
14 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston ;
Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
15 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2006. Women and Poverty in
Hamilton.
16 Cathy Davis. Housing associations: Re-housing Women Leaving Domestic Violence: New Chal-
lenges and Good Practice.
17 Andrea Taylor-Butts, “Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2003/04” Statistics
Canada - Catalogue no. 85-002-XiE, Vol. 25, No.3, (2005)
18 Leslie M. Tutty, PhD. Effective Practices in Sheltering Women Leaving Violence in Intimate
Relationships. Toronto, ON: YWCA Canada, 2006.
19 Andrea Taylor-Butts, op.cit.
20 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2007. On Any Given Night:
Measuring Homelessness in Hamilton.
21 Ibid.
22 Leslie M. Tutty, op.cit.
23 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.

30
24 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
25 Sylvia Novac, 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative housing. To-
ronto, Ont.: Women’s Services Network.
26 Coroner’s inquest
27 Sylvia Novac, 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative housing. To-
ronto, Ont.: Women’s Services Network.
28 Sylvia Novac, op.cit.
29 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
30 Sylvia Novac, op.cit.
31 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
32 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
33 “About Cohousing” Canadian Cohousing Network (2005), www.cohousing.ca (accessed
July 12, 2008).
34 Ibid.
35 “Ashram’s Architecture” Anandmurti Gurumaa Ashram (2004), www.gurumaa.com/
ashram_architecture.asp accessed July, 2008).
36 Ibid.
37 Gavron, Daniel. Holy land mosaic: stories of cooperation and coexistence between Israelis and
Palestinians. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.
38 Ibid.

31
02
Site Considerations

A transition home for women and children deserves the best possible loca-
tion. The relationship between the indoor and outdoor environments is important
to the occupants and surrounding neighbourhood. Therefore, architectural services
should begin with site selection to evaluate the conditions of a property and how it
could limit or enhance a program. This is not always possible as some projects must
make do with donated land or an allotted section within an existing building.
Local zoning rules and procedures must be consulted before choosing a site
for a transition home. Current zoning regulations may prohibit multiple families
residing in a single house or further limit the number of unrelated persons that can
occupy these houses. Furthermore, historical districts may not allow the conversion
of one of their older buildings into a supportive housing facility. Multi-family dwell-
ings or group residences may be restricted in residential areas, and therefore limited
to commercial locations or to places where buildings are dilapidated or abandoned. A
new shelter might consider moving into a facility that had previously been approved
for multi-family use, such as a boarding house or inn. Permits may be granted as
of right if the new use is similar to the existing use of a building. If this is not the
case, or if new construction is planned, a public hearing may be required for a special
permit or variance. Any unfavourable decisions can be appealed but this may risk
attracting any unwanted attention to the project.

2.1 NIMBY

A new shelter development for women and children may frighten some of
the neighbours. When that happens, some local residents will claim that the develop-
ment is unsuitable or unwanted in their area. Some residents will agree the shelter is

33
Fig. 2.1  ENTRANCE BUFFERS. Large vestibules or courtyards can screen
neighbour’s view of residents entering the transition home and allot a level of
privacy.

34
necessary, but would prefer if it were located somewhere else. This challenge is some-
times called the Not in My Backyard Syndrome, or NIMBY.
NIMBY is a collective opposition taken against proposed physical and social
change to the local environment. NIMBY objections are based on the belief that
change will have a negative effect on the character, socioeconomic status, or quality
of life in a neighbourhood.1 This includes fears of property values dropping, on-
street parking problems or that shelters might attract violent individuals into the area.
Neighbourhood concerns partially stem from identifying women and children with
public housing, which is associated with crime and deterioration due to poor design
and management.2
NIMBY fears need to be addressed openly. To prepare for the challenge, pro-
gram developers and the design teams have organized public meetings to explain why
shelters for abused women and children should not be banished to the hidden corners
of the community. Residents need information to help them make better decisions
about issues that affect housing in their community. Acceptance by the immediate
neighbourhood is very important since unsupportive neighbours are more likely to
oppose a shelter project before the zoning board can cause negative media attention.
One of the most common complaints expressed by citizens with NIMBY attitudes is
that they were not sufficiently informed about proposed changes.
While working on the new transition home for women and children in Ham-
ilton, a series of community meetings were held well in advance of any final design
decisions. These were opportunities for the client, architect, municipal officials and
neighbourhood groups to present the project and address any concerns raised by the
general public.
This particular project was not well received by the neighbouring commu-
nity. I could understand some of the negative reactions the neighbours had to the
proposed design of the transition home. The initial scale of the project was massive
in comparison to the surrounding context. However, many of the other opposition-
al remarks were based on misconceptions. During the public meeting for Martha’s
House, one man complained that the new facility would block his view of church that
was a mile away from his house. Another woman was paranoid about being robbed
or attacked by the supposed vagrants that a transition home for women and children
would attract. The most common comment at these community meetings was simply
that the neighbourhood did not want “those people” to live amongst them.

35
2.2 Location within the Community

A transition home for women and children needs to be integrated into the
community in a manner that is sensitive to the unique obstacles that the residents face.
Facilities located on government property may avoid zoning disputes or complaining
neighbours. Levels of security are likely high as government areas tend to be well
guarded. However, this separation from society might result with immediate neigh-
bours being a mental health hospital, drug program, or jail. This is not an appropriate
environment for a transition home since it indirectly associates mental health prob-
lems, drug abuse and crime with the victims of domestic violence who are required
to stay there.3 High-crime areas within a city or places where residents are harassed
on their way to and from the building are also poor locations for a secured housing
program. Pathways to and from the facility should be easily viewed by neighbours
around the clock.
Approximately forty percent of the individuals admitted to women’s shelters
across Canada are children.4 Therefore, the availability of schools and proximity to
parks are important considerations when choosing a location. Access to public trans-
portation permits residents to meet their outside commitments and to keep in touch
with people who are important to them. They often rely on public transportation to
go to work, to find new accommodations or to visit relatives and friends. It is help-
ful if there are retail stores and services within the surrounding vicinity. Otherwise,
a shelter may have to provide transportation to shops and appointments for those
without their own cars. Stores should supply everyday needs and be stocked with
enough ethnic foods to assure a sense of home for residents with diverse cultural
backgrounds.5

36
 Industrial zones are isolated from social
programs and services.

It is difficult to access public transportation and

social programs from rural areas.

It is difficult to acquire a lot of outdoor

recreational space in built-up areas.

Residential neighbourhoods are often in close proximity

to schools, stores and required ameneties.

Fig. 2.2  LOCations within the Community

37
Fig. 2.3  EXISTING SHELTER SERVICES IN HAMILTON

38
2.3 Existing Facilities in Hamilton

Hamilton, like many Canadian cities, faces a range of serious social issues
which interact to create homelessness. It is widely reported that 20 percent or 95,000
Hamiltonians are living in low income. Less understood, however, is that poverty is
not gender neutral. Poverty in Hamilton has a female face that often goes unreport-
ed. Women are far more likely to live in poverty than are men. In Hamilton, women
make up 52 percent of the adult population but they represent almost 60 percent of
those living in poverty.
Many of the existing shelter programs for women in Hamilton tend to be
concentrated in low-income neighbourhoods. The cost of the land must be consid-
erably cheaper for the non-profit organizations that initiate these projects. This is
evident in the amount of emergency shelters for men, food banks, and other social
service agencies are located in the downtown core where there is a lower property
value.
Historian Bill Freeman writes about the deterioration of Hamilton’s city
centre. Hamilton has a strong economy in manufacturing and health sciences and
continually experiences large population growth. However, this growth is rarely ex-
perienced in the core where buildings are constantly being vacated or torn down as
new and improved infrastructure appears in other sections of the city. Visitors to
downtown Hamilton are continually confronted with abandoned buildings, vacant
store fronts and vast parking lots along the main streets. There are several factors that
contribute to the deterioration of this area. The numerous one-way thorough streets
expedite traffic and lend to a hostile environment for pedestrians.6 This has caused
many retail and commercial businesses to relocate to power centres and suburban
shopping malls in other parts of the city.
Furthermore, the natural geography of the Niagara Escarpment physically
and socially divides the city. The recent development of the Lincoln Alexander Ex-
pressway and the Red Valley Hill Parkway allows residents to completely bypass the
downtown area when needing to access neighbouring cities.
There are several existing facilities for women in Hamilton; most of them are
located in low income neighbourhoods near the downtown core. The location and
proximity to services are discussed in the following pages.

39
Fig. 2.4  Amenities and Services in Hamilton
The population and most services are distributed evenly
across the city. However, food banks and residential care
facilities remain concentrated in areas of low income or
with a high unemployment rate.

40
41
Interval House of Hamilton Wentworth
Interval House is transition home and of-
fers services specifically for abused women, with
or without children. In addition to meals, clothing
and shelter, the facility offers counselling and ad-
vocacy to current and former residents. There are
several advantages to where the program is located.
It sits directly on a bus route, close to an elementa-
ry school, adjacent to a residential neighbourhood
and there is ample outdoor space available within
the area. Unfortunately the site is located directly A
across the street of a large hospital complex. This
may indirectly imply to the residents and the sur-
rounding community that that there must be some-
thing wrong with those who are required to stay
there.7

Fig. 2.5  INTERVAL HOUSE

42
 Inasmuch House – Mission Services
This is a 37 bed emergency shelter for
women and children in crisis due to abuse and
homelessness for up to six weeks. Individual and
group counselling is provided along with courses
and educational programs geared towards wom-
en, youth and children. It is located on the edge
of a residential community downtown Hamilton
and overlooks a recessed train yard. The site is in
walking distance of one of the city’s largest parks.
A There are a few houses on the street, which reduces
foot traffic and passive surveillance by neighbours.
Access to public transportation and retail stores is
quite a distance away which might leave some resi-
dents uncomfortable walking home late at night.

Fig. 2.6  INASMUCH HOUSE

43
Martha House – The Good Shepherd Women’s
Centre
Martha House is a secure 28-bed transition
residence dedicated to assisting women and chil-
dren who have been victims of domestic violence
or abuse. It is a former Victorian estate home that
has been cut and pieced into a shelter. It is located
in an area of Hamilton prone to crime and prostitu-
tion. There is no secure outdoor area for children
to play on the property or within the surrounding
vicinity. The most disturbing aspect of its location A
is that its immediate neighbour is a half-way home
for men experiencing homelessness. Both facilities
are run by the same non-profit group. During my
brief stay at Martha’s House, residents talked about
being extremely terrified to walk to the facility at
night, fearing unwanted encounters.
-

Fig. 2.7  MARTHA HOUSE

44
 -
Native Women’s Centre
The Native Women’s Centre provides
safe, emergency shelter for all women with or
without children who are experiencing violence,
homelessness or conflict with the law. Services
are offered to all women regardless of age, an-
cestry, or race. They provide access to Native
Traditional methods of healing, but remain sen-
sitive to other cultural backgrounds. The shelter
is located along a bus route, adjacent to a resi-
A dential neighbourhood and faces a large park. A
very busy street separates the facility form the
park which might prove hazardous for children
to play.

Fig. 2.8  NATIVE WOMEN’S CENTRE

45
Good Shepherd Family Centre
Good Shepherd Family Centre provides
temporary accommodations for families experienc-
ing homelessness. Their goal is to assist families in
developing effective short and long term strategies
for re-establishing housing and integrating into the
community. The building’s former tenant was the
Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton. The building
was converted into the main headquarters of Good
Shepherd services with rent-to-geared apartments
on the upper floors. The parking requirements A
of the previous tenants have resulted in small play
yard for outdoor recreation.

Fig. 2.9  FAMILY CENTRE

46
 Good Shepherd’s Women’s Service Centre
This is the proposed 51,000 sq. ft. facility
that I once had the pleasure of working on. It is to
be located in a mature neighbourhood along with
three other subsided apartments. It is in an ideal
location close to shops, transportation and outdoor
parks. The project has received a lot of opposition
from concerned community groups for various
reasons. A controversial aspect of the program is
that it is too accommodate a transition home for
A mothers and children along with a women’s emer-
gency shelter within the same building. These two
groups have many similarities but also may differ-
ences. Putting them all under one roof may only
compound the programs.

Fig. 2.10  WOMEN’S SERVICE CENTRE

47
2.4 Concession Street

Finding the ideal location for a transition home is a very important task.
Building a new transition home near or beside an existing women’s emergency shelter
may be a logical choice. Locating these programs within close proximity of each
other has the advantage of sharing resources, monitoring security, and managing the
administrative duties.
On the other hand, some transition home executive directors have recom-
mended that the new facility be located a fair distance from the emergency shelter.
Their view is that overall administration and the sharing of resources is still possible.
They observed that the women and children made a much easier transition, with less
reliance on shelter staff, when they physically left the emergency shelter to move into
a more independent environment that a transition home provides.8
I chose to locate the design project on Concession Street. This is the most
northern street on Hamilton Mountain and runs parallel with the edge of the Niagara
escarpment. Concession Street is home to Henderson hospital, the Juravinski Cancer
Centre and a variety of professional medical and health care services. The surround-
ing housing consist of a mix of apartment complexes, single family homes and mil-
lion dollar estates. It is one of the oldest commercial districts in the city even though
many small businesses have disappeared from the area over the years. The street is
currently lined with vacant store fronts, junior retailers and discount outlets. The site
for the project is currently a walk-in medical clinic and a large parking lot. The lot size
is suitable for the required program and also faces three streets.
Domestic violence does not discriminate and effects women of all ethnic

48
and socioeconomic backgrounds. Middle-class women may not feel comfortable or
fear stigmatization residing in a shelter located in a poor neighbourhood. If a shelter
plans to serve all segments of the population, its neighbourhood must be safe, clean
and accessible. Some victims of violence shun a shelter located among warehouses
or abandoned houses. Women who are subject to hostile glares from neighbours
are likely to leave after a short stay. A pleasant neighbourhood and community ac-
ceptance are essential aspects of a supportive environment. Concession Street is not
prone to crime or an area where residents would be harassed on their way to and from
the building.
Safety is a major consideration when locating a transition home for victims
escaping their abusers.9 Concession Street has a moderate level of traffic that will
provided additional protection for women and their children by means of passive
surveillance. There are numerous shopping, eating and entertainment venues in this
area. The local stores are a benefit for residents to buy personal items, access specialty
grocers or get their hair done. Otherwise, a shelter may have to provide transporta-
tion to shops for those without their own cars. The area is easily accessible by public
transportation as many residents have to go to school, meet medical appointments
or visit relatives and friends. The availability of buses permits residents to meet their
outside commitments and to keep in touch with people who are important to them.10
There are two elementary schools within walking distance of the site. Secondary
schools or adult continuing education programs are accessible through public trans-
portation for older children and women.

49
Fig. 2.11  CONCESSION STREET AMENTIES

50
51
Fig. 2.12  BUILDING SCALE The exterior appearance should be
indistinguishable from the surrounding community.

2.5 Physical Layout

The physical layout of transition homes vary amongst communities, and be-
tween urban and rural locations. Some transition homes are designed as apartment
complexes, while others are more similar to row housing or duplexes. The specific
program requirements of the transitional housing community will determine the size
of the lot. The lot should be large enough to provide space for outdoor recreation,
parking and service areas. The actual size of transition homes vary depending on the
characteristics of the services provided. I sought advice on the number of residents
to accommodate for this project from Alan Whittle, Director of Community Rela-
tions and Planning for Good Shepherd Services in Hamilton. The Good Shepherd
manages several emergency shelters for men, women and youth across the city. They
have determined that forty residents form an ideal community and it also meets gov-
ernmental regulations for funding. The capacity of a shelter also depends on the
variations in the characteristics of the residents.
The transition home community in this thesis consists of four townhomes
and a larger building for outreach services and public programs encircling a secured
courtyard. Previous design schemes included apartment style housing, but I felt that
it did not complement the surrounding Victorian homes.

52
a. Individual buildings with b. Outdoor community and recreation c. Several buildings form a campus
controlled entrances and a space is enclosed within a courtyard. and are enclosed by a fence that
fenced enclosure to protect A possible solution for shelters located separates them from the surrounding
outdoor recreational space. in undesirable area but may become neighbourhood.
a barrier between surrounding
community.

Fig. 2.13  BUILDING LAYOUT The required program can adapt to

any of the following forms on the site.

Architectural design decisions can also help communities overcome their re-
luctance to have an emergency shelter or transition home for women and children
built in their neighbourhood. The scale, height and character of surrounding build-
ings or houses must be taken into consideration. Larger facilities appear too institu-
tional or impersonal. Smaller buildings tend to feel more residential and welcoming.
Most residents prefer that new projects to maintain the same scale and appearance of
the surrounding context. Neighbours are likely to perceive a smaller project as having
less impact on the area than would large complexes.11
Design of affordable housing should be indistinguishable from nearby hous-
ing so that the residents will not be stigmatized and will feel a part of the surround-
ing community. The design of by Taylor Hariri Pontarini Architects made use of
existing building façade for the design of Robertson House Crisis Care Centre in
Toronto. Elaborate colour schemes and ornamentation may not be suitable for the
design of transition homes. Aldo Van Eyck’s design of Hubertus House, a home for
unwed mothers in Amsterdam, garnishes too much attention. Staff are constantly
bombarded with people requesting tours of the facility which makes the residents feel
uncomfortable.12

53
 2.6 Security Measures

A sense of security is an integral to the design of a transition home. Spe-

cifically, it means protection from the streets as well as protection from intruders.
Women and children must initially feel safe prior to participating in any therapeutic
activities. Enraged and irrational batterers pose a constant threat. Batterers have used
threats and violence against victims and staff members in attempts to gain access to
their partners or children. Although no protective housing facility can completely
guarantee the safety of its residents or staff, many precautions can be taken to help
ensure the security of those who live and work there.
Security measures pose dilemmas which require architects to balance a set of
conflicting goals. A transition home must be impregnable, but not seem forbidding
or out of place in residential neighbourhoods. Alarms, locks, high fences and other
security devices spoil a welcoming or homelike atmosphere. Concern for personal
safety extends beyond the transition home. It includes the safe use of outdoor spaces
and a safe route to and from the building. Children are often confined to the property
and not permitted to play with friends in any outdoor activity.
The locations of many emergency centres or transition homes for women
are kept secret or are difficult to locate through a telephone directory or online. Tran-
sition homes might choose to avoid posting exterior signage that identifies the facili-
ties’ purpose. Many emergency centres for women do not admit visitors in fear of
them disclosing their location, inflicting physical or emotional harm on a resident, or
recognizing unrelated residents who wish to keep their status confidential. Friends
and relatives are usually discouraged from entering the premise and must meet resi-
dents at a separate location.
It is nearly impossible to keep a shelter’s address confidential for very long.
Neighbours and local retailers become aware of a shelter’s location due to the number

54
of women and children that passing through there on a regular basis. Sympathetic
neighbours tend to keep an eye out for lurking intruders and alert the shelter or police
if necessary.13
Apart from the impracticality of concealment, secrecy is not necessary for
the protection of its residents. Studies in Canada and the United States have found
that domestic violence usually occurs in private, and batterers are rarely violent out-
side the home. Therefore, a publically identified location would deflect a batterer’s
anger that would otherwise be intensified by a long search for his partner.14 On the
other hand, batterers are irrational individuals which make it difficult to assume how
they will react to a situation.
Nevertheless, publically identified protective housing raises awareness on
women issues and help to expand community support for protective and educational
programs.15 A woman should not be ashamed of needing help or be forced to hide
away in an undisclosed location. Domestic violence, homelessness and poverty are
societal problems that require a community of committed individuals to resolve.
Active surveillance or Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
(CPTED) is a security technique that can be imposed through the design of the facil-
ity. The form and layout of the building can encourage residents and staff to take
an active role in policing the grounds.16 This is a crime prevention strategy used by
planners, architects, police services, security professionals and all users of space. The
proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in
the incidence and fear of crime. Emphasis is placed on the physical environment, pro-
ductive use of space, and behaviour of people to create safe environments. In these
spaces, environmental cues that create opportunities for crime are reduced.

55
Fig. 2.14  Site Amenities

56
Fig. 2.15  Aerial View

57
1. Entrance 10. Childcare Centre
2. Reception 11. Staff Lounge
3. Intake Room 12. Computer Stations
4. Meeting Room 13. Kitchen
5. Office 14. Outdoor Storage
6. Common Lounge 15. Covered Porch
7. Community Room 16. Patio
8. Donation Room 17. Coffee Shop
9. Chapel 18. Salon

Fig. 2.16  Ground Floor Plan

58
1. Waiting Area
2. Reception
3. Clinic
4. Outreach Services
5. Studio
6. Storage

Fig. 2.17  Second Floor Plan

59
Fig. 2.18  Concession Street North Elevation

60
61
Fig. 2.19  Upper Wentworth Street West Elevation

62
63
Fig. 2.20  Alpine Street South Elevation

64
65
Fig. 2.21  Courtyard Section

66
67
Notes

1 Sylvia Novac, 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative housing. Toronto,
Ont.: Women’s Services Network.
2 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Bos-
ton ; Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
3 Albert L. Shostack. Shelters for battered women and their children: a comprehensive guide to plan-
ning and operating safe and caring residential programs. (Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas
Publisher, Ltd., 2001).
4 Andrea Taylor-Butts. “Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2003/04” Statistics Canada
- Catalogue no. 85-002-XiE, Vol. 25, No.3, (2005).
5 Joan Forrester Sprague, op. cit.
6 City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2007. On Any Given Night:
Measuring Homelessness in Hamilton.
7
8 Kate Woodman, PhD. Second Stage Shelters: Closing the Gap. Edmonton, AL: Alberta
Council of Women’s Shelters, 2008.
9 Ibid.
10 Albert L.Shostack, op. cit.
11 Sam Davis. Designing for the Homeless: Architecture that Works. (Los Angeles,CA: University
of California Press, 2004).
12 Works of Aldo Van Eyck
13 Albert L. Shostack. op. cit.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Kate Woodman, PhD. op. cit.

68
03
provide positive distractions

A sizable body of research suggests that the design of a physical setting

impacts the wellbeing of both residents and staff.1 It is clear that housing and space
play a role in the quality of life of individuals and communities. What makes some
spaces comfortable and while others remain threatening? What key elements can be
applied to the design of a supportive housing program that can further contribute to
the health and care of its residents?
Psychologists and other behavioural scientists have studied how people re-
spond to colour, light, room sizes, seating arrangements, and other components of
architecture or interior design. Science involves testing theories according to certain
rules of evidence and these studies are often performed under controlled laboratory
conditions. This approach may not be entirely useful when dealing with architecture
since the findings collected in basic research are hard to apply in real-life situations
and human testing of subjects is often necessary.2
The field of Environmental Psychology bridges the gap between scientific
researchers and design professionals.3 It studies the relationship between environ-
ments and human behaviour as well as how they affect one other. Humans react both
consciously and unconsciously to the area in which they live and work. Both natural
and manmade environments have a profound effect on feelings, behaviours, general
health issues, and productivity.4
Many sources of personal stress are beyond the influence of the built envi-
ronment. Even so, an understanding of the stress sources that are subject to design
influence can help various design professionals, such as architects, interior design-
ers, and urban planners, have a better understanding of human behaviour. This, in
turn, improves the design process and the resulting occupant experience of the built
work.

69
 Fig. 3.1  SOURCES OF STRESS
Many factors contribute to a
stressful environment.

Fig. 3.2  TYPE OF ABUSE EXPERIENCED BY SHELTER RESIDENTS

Fig. 3.3  MENTAL HEALTH / EMOTIONAL ISSUES OF SHELTER RESIDENTS

70
 Restorative qualities are the potential of design elements to function thera-
peutically, reducing cognitive fatigue and other sources of stress. Positive distractions
provide resources that can allow design to function as a coping resource and help
building occupants ease stress. Certain types of settings within the transition home,
such as the chapel and the courtyard, are included with restorative intent. Such envi-
ronments can help to uplift the human spirit and reduce stress. Individual stress levels
can be reduced through appropriate programmatic layout, noise isolation or lighting
design. Positive distractions or diversions can help to focus resident’s minds away
from the trauma that brought them to the facility. Architectural diversions include
views and access to nature, mediation rooms and areas for art and exercise.

3.1 Noise Isolation

In a transition home, the sound of people talking, children playing or loud

paging systems can be the route of intense stress for residents. Excessive or unpre-
dictable noise can cause blood pressures to rise along with irritability, tension and
headaches.5 High levels of background noise can impair the ability to concentrate and
impede the completion of complex assignments. Noise pollution can have a nega-
tive effect on sleep quality and the care residents receive. It can also damage group
dynamics, as people in a noisy environment tend to become more irritable and less
willing to help one-another.6
Solutions to unwanted noise include acoustical separations of staff rooms,
offices and corridors beside resident rooms. This is a necessary step to prevent pri-
vate discussions among residents or staff from being overheard by others. Distancing
residential quarters away from louder common areas will improve the quality of sleep
throughout the facility. The level of noise within a common area can be reduced
through the use of separate rooms for meetings and for children’s play. Designated
quiet rooms are essential for activities that require more concentration.
The chapel was included in the architectural program to accommodate resi-
dents seeking a quiet place for prayer, meditation and solitary reflection. Religious
services can be organized for larger groups for those not prepared to attend a service
outside of the transition home. Small concerts can also be performed inside of the
chapel. Music therapy can help to distract people from their pain and encourage them
to make plans for their future.7 Music has been used to treat depression, to reach
autistic children, and to relax agitated psychiatric patients.

71
Fig. 3.4  The Chapel

3.2 Access to Nature

Cultural and societal influences tend to leave people with a positive impres-
sion of gardens and other natural environments.8 Urban areas are associated with
work, loud noises, and high pollution levels. Vacations and retreats from the city
often take place in rural or natural settings. Behavioural scientist, Roger Ulrich, con-
cluded through various scientific studies that our preference for nature is rooted in
human evolution and it was essential to the survival and wellbeing of early humans.9
Evolutionary theory proposes that modern humans have a partly genetic predisposi-
tion to natural environments. Therefore, we are more likely to pay attention to, affili-
ate with or respond positively to nature.10
The life of prehistoric man was compounded with demanding and stressful
threats and risks. The capability for fast recovery from stress following demanding
and threatening situations was critical for enhancing chances of survival. This would
occur in a savannah-like setting that was open and presented little risks. Therefore,
evolutionary theory explains why views of natural content such as vegetation, water,
or sunlight; should have stress-reducing and beneficial influences.11

72
 Women and children living in transition homes are often fearful and uncertain
about their safety, their future, and their isolation from normal social relationships.12
The complex environment of a shared residence also contributes to the stressful situ-
ation. Stress can cause a person’s physical, mental and emotional condition to weaken
and affect the healing or recovery process.13 Data from homeless shelters, assaulted
women’s shelters, supportive housing and drop-ins show that a high percentage of
women experience on-going living difficulties as a result of trauma, and that they
require support to maintain their housing.14
Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with natural forms and
systems.15 Biophilic design theory can be used to explain why exposure to nature and
sunlight in the built environment could help transition home residents reduce stress
and develop different coping strategies.
In 1984, Behavioural scientist, Roger Ulrich, conducted a study of patients
recovering from gallbladder surgery and found that patients assigned to rooms with
views of trees were able to be discharged earlier, had fewer negative evaluations from
nurses, and required less painkilling medication than patients assigned to rooms that
faced a brick wall.16 Therefore, views of natural content can be incorporated into the
design of a transition home in order to provoke therapeutic responses from residents,
resulting in a more restorative and healing environment.

3.3 Prospect-Refuge Theory

English geographer Jay Appleton introduced the prospect-refuge theory as

an explanation of human environmental preferences and coping technique. It states
that environments that offered open views (prospect) or a certain amount of conceal-
ment (refuge) provided an evolutionary advantage to humans.17 The concept of pros-
pect refers to settings or landscape elements that assist with obtaining information
about the environment. On the other hand, refuge refers to settings that can provide
shelter and protection. According to Appleton, humans preferred settings with both
prospect and refuge because such places aided survival from imminent dangers by of-
fering an observation point to see, to react, and if necessary, to defend.18
Opportunities for contact with these particular landscape elements of pros-
pect and refuge are reduced in modern urban life.19 However, key features of the
nature and structural configuration can be integrated into the built environment. Ele-
ments of prospect within a transition home increases a resident’s visibility and, there-
fore, opportunity for social interaction. For women seeking privacy, elements of
refuge create areas for solitude and reflection.

73
 Consequently, elements of prospect and refuge provide opportunities for a
potential offender and must be taken into consideration when designing the exterior
environment.20 Estranged spouses or intimate partners may attempt to hide in areas
with a high degree of refuge outside of the transition home. Areas characterized by
large amounts of refuge or concealment; and minimal prospect evoke the highest de-
gree of fear amongst individuals.21 These areas would be characterized by lurk lines,
blind spots or numerous hiding places within the surrounding environment. The
safest areas are characterized by minimum refuge for a possible offender and high
prospect for a potential victim. 22

Fig. 3.5  PROSPECT REFUGE THEORY

Fig. 3.6  ASPECTS OF SECURITY Elements of Prospect-Refuge
Theory should be considered as secuiity measures.

74
75
Fig. 3.7  Site Axonometric

76
3.4 The Courtyard

One of the constraints of living within a protected facility is the ability to

enjoy outdoor spaces. Some residents may not feel comfortable leaving the building
due to the fear of their abuser finding them. A courtyard gives the needed security
while providing an outdoor space for a range of activities. The courtyard accommo-
dates multiple women and children and includes a variety of outdoor spaces. Trees,
arbours or canopies can provide additional shade or wind breakers or help create vari-
ous levels of privacy since some residents may not want to socialize and may prefer to
read, write a letter or study while outside. Areas for group activities are provided to
encourage residents to socialize in order to discourage feelings of isolation, boredom
or depression.23 Architecturally, courtyards bring light into the building’s interior or
provide sight lines into controlled space. This is particularly useful when the facility
is situated in an unpleasant area.24 Courtyards also help to reduce the shelter’s noise
and visual impact on the neighbourhood since they concentrate all activity within the
facility. This area is often fenced to provide additional security.
A community garden can serve as a restorative escape from the possibly
hectic environment of a transition home. Planting, caring for, and watching seedlings
grow can serve as a learning experience or hold a symbolic meaning for both women
and children.25 Gardening and horticulture can be enjoyed at many levels such as
taking an active role in planting and maintaining a garden or the passive involvement
of simply sitting in a garden. Both have been documented to increase happiness,
contentment and overall well being.26 After the First and Second World Wars, special-
purpose garden facilities were often provided in hospitals for veterans, the elderly,
and the mentally ill. Many specialized facilities that are built today for those suffering
from AIDS or cancer have of also recognized the therapeutic effect of the garden.
Ronald MacDonald Houses, which are places for children with cancer and their fami-
lies, typically provides a homelike environment and an adjacent garden.27
Children living in transition homes should have access to a secure outdoor
area for play and recreation. Otherwise, children might be confined to the shelter for
security reasons. Other playgrounds within the neighbourhood that are not on the
grounds of the transition home are not comparable to play areas on the property that
children can use casually, without having to rely on adults or older siblings for super-
vision. Clear sightlines are needed for supervising adults between indoor common
rooms and the playground.
A specific area within the courtyard must be allocated for residents to smoke.
This is partly in recognition of the prevalence of smoking among occupants and
building code regulations. Residents staying at Martha’s House in Hamilton were
required to leave the security of the building when they smoked since there was no
enclosed outdoor space. They were encourage to go for walks around the neighbour-
hood but most preferred to sit on the porch or stand on the sidewalk. A smoking area
in a courtyard helps to reduce neighbours’ concerns of residents loitering on public
sidewalks to smoke.

77
3.5 Appropriate Lighting

In addition to nature, daylight and sun exposure were also critical for the
wellbeing, health, and survival of early humans. Daylight and sunshine enabled visual
surveillance of surroundings, finding food and water, and avoiding threats such as
predators that would be concealed in darkness.
Building interiors today are lit by a combination of daylight and electric light-
ing. Different types of lighting conditions impact human health and performance
by affecting mood, perception and ability to complete visual tasks. Light is also an
important factor in reducing depression, decreasing fatigue and improving alertness.28
An advantage of natural light is that it helps to regulate circadian rhythms and is a
natural source of vitamin D. Daylight entering through windows can be extremely
beneficial to residents and staff provided there is no glare or thermal discomfort.
Furthermore, accessing natural light is of no additional cost to the facility. The need
or artificial lighting can be reduced by efficient utilization of sunlight wherever pos-
sible.
Furthermore, spaces and zones can de differentiated through variations in
lighting. Overhead fluorescent lighting is typical of institutional environments while
wall sconces or suspended fixtures have less of an institutional feel. Daylight or warm
incandescent light sources and movable lamps also have a more domestic quality.

3.6 Materials and Finishes

The quality of the interior communicates program values to both residents

and visitors.29 Studies of maintenance in group homes and transitional housing in-
dicate that residents take better care of physical environments that are comfortable,
familiar or homelike.30 The choice of materials used in the construction of transi-
tion homes corresponds to the maintenance of the facility. The materials used in
transition homes are generally identical to those used in multifamily housing. On the
interior, this includes gypsum board walls and ceilings, vinyl tile floors, and plastic-
laminate countertops in bathrooms and kitchens. These are all legitimate materials,
but they often do not tolerate heavy use or abuse, which is to be expected in housing
for a transient population.31 However, building made entirely of durable materials
such as concrete, steel, glass or ceramic tiles lose its residential appeal and are more
comparable to schools or hospitals.32 Durability is essential, but an institutional envi-
ronment that appears to be indestructible may challenge residents to destroy it.33
The same principles apply to the design and selection of furniture. The
items available to the general public through large retail stores that specialize in mass
produced, partially assembled furniture, although stylish and cost-effective, will not
work in most shelter contexts. They simply are not sturdy enough to withstand hard
use by many different residents. The plastic-laminated finishes often chip, and legs
tend to snap off when items are moved. Furniture made of solid wood or covered

78
Fig. 3.8  DAYLIGHTING Design features can increase or
reduce the amount of natural light entering buildings.

79
with floor linoleum rather than plastic laminate is available, and some has been cre-
ated expressly for use in shelters. Upholstered items, such as sofas and lounge chairs,
have to be similarly sturdy. Arms are the most vulnerable and therefore are often not
upholstered. Solid-colour cushions show dirt and stains more readily than do bright
patterns.34

3.7 Colour

Colour, while subjective, can be a design factor in reducing environmental

stress when understood and used in the context of a specific population. Careful use
of colour can help to create certain atmospheres or make a room appear to be more
pleasant.35 The colour green was once associated with creating a calming mood in
public gathering areas. However, the colour grew to be identified with institutions and
produced ineffective results.36 A typical paint colour found in residential facilities is
off-white. This is a good background colour for accent walls, changeable artwork, or
murals that personalize different spaces. Special colours for residential suites and for
common rooms produce a variety of characteristics and spaces throughout the tran-
sition home. Doorways painted in specific colours can serve as orientation points,
especially for children who have trouble finding their way in new places.

Notes

1 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston
; Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
2 Ibid.
3 Jain Malkin. Hospital interior architecture: creating healing environment for special patient popula-
tions. New York, N.Y.: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1992.
4 Robert Sommer, 1969. Personal space; the behavioral basis of design. Englewood Cliffs: N.J.
5 Jain Malik, op cit.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ulrich, Roger S. “Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design.” In Biophilic
Design : The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. edited by Kellert, Stephen
R., Judith Heerwagen, and Martin Mador. 2008. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
11 Kellert, Stephen R., Judith Heerwagen, and Martin Mador. 2008. Biophilic design : The
theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
12 Donileen R. Loseke, 1992. Battered woman and shelters : The social construction of wife abuse.

80
 SUNY series in deviance and social control. Albany: State University of New York
Press.
13 Jain Malkin, op. cit.
14 Ibid.
15 Kellert, Heerwagen and Mador, op. cit.
16 Jain Malkin, op. cit.
17 Nathan Petherick. “Environmental Design and Fear: The Prospect-Refuge Model
and the University College of the Cariboo Campus” Western Geography, Canadian As-
sociation of Geographers (2001).
18 Ibid
19 Yannick Joye. “Architectural Lessons From Environmental Psychology: The Case of
Biophilic Architecture” Review of General Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2007.
20 Nathan Petherick, op. cit.
21 Nathan Petherick, op. cit.
22 Nathan Petherick, op. cit.
23 Clare Cooper Marcus and Wendy Sarkissian. 1986. Housing as if people mattered : Site
design guidelines for medium-density family housing. Berkeley: University of California Press.
24 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
25 Woodman, Kate. Second Stage Shelters: Closing the Gap. Edmonton, AL: Alberta Council
of Women’s Shelters, 2008.
26 Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, http://www.chta.ca/contact.htm
27 Claire Cooper Marcus, op. cit.
28 Anjali Joseph. “The Impact of Lighting Outcomes in Healthcare Settings” The Centre
for Health Design. Concord, CA, 2006.
29 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
30 Ibid.
31 Sam Davis, op. cit.
32 Ibid.
33 Joan Forrester Sprague, op.cit.
34 Ibid.
35 Jain Malkin, op. cit.
36 Ibid.

81
Fig. 4.1  SOCIAL SUPPORT

82
04
ENABLE SOCIAL SUPPORT

Women who have experienced domestic violence, who are recovering from
substance abuse, or who are struggling to raise a family, can benefit from close peer
support and sharing.1 Therefore, it is important for the design to encourage social
networking within the centre. Cohabitation and shared amenities encourages social
interaction among the residents. Relationships are based on shared interests and
backgrounds; they are also dependent on opportunity and how our environments are
arranged.2 Making it possible for people to make contact or to avoid contact as they
choose should be an important consideration for designers. Unless there is a chance
to meet, neither friendship nor acquaintanceship is possible.
One of the purposes of a transition home is to provide long term accom-
modations along with continual support, information and referrals to assist women
and children to become independent and move forward. Programs and services of-
fered wit in a transition home naturally encourage residents to share their personal
experiences. Residential programs may include individual counselling and support, as
well as group programs for women or children. Outreach counsellors, community
educators, and legal advocates can work within the facility as opposed to external of-
fices. Counselling for non residents can be held within the building and participants
can share their experience and become familiar with the facility. Childcare is essen-
tial for residents and non-residents since many women are prevented from pursuing
their education or employment goals because they do not have access to affordable
childcare.

83
Fig. 4.2  VISUAL AND ACOUSTIC PERMEABILITY Being able
to see or hear increases opportunities for social interactions
amongst residents

Fig. 4.3  FOCAL POINT PLACEMENT

84
4.1 Design Layout and Planning

The extent to which spaces are interconnected via doorways and passages
influences the social capabilities of a space.3 Common rooms divided by solid walls
or closed doors hinder spontaneous social interaction since residents cannot easily see
or hear each other. Screens and wall openings permit visual and acoustic permeability
across solid barriers. This arrangement reinforces a sense of community by allowing
those passing by to participate in the activities taking place within the public rooms.
The focal point in a room provides an area for residents to interact.4 Focal
points are determined by the directness of doorway openings or are where circulation
paths intersect. The size of a room can also help to enable social support among
residents of a transition home. Deeper and larger rooms provide residents with more
visual exposure. Larger rooms are also more suitable for those who would like to
hold more private conversations as they are given more privacy. Groups located fur-
ther away from circulation paths reduce the likelihood of their conversations being
overheard by those passing by.5

4.2 Support Services

The ultimate purpose of transition homes is to provide long term accommo-

dations along with continual support, information and referrals to assist women and
children to become independent and move forward. Shelters respond to immediate
crises but also try to prevent future episodes of violence or homelessness. Programs
and counselling services are essential to the success of the residents. Residential pro-
grams may include individual counselling and support, as well as group programs for
residents. Outreach counsellors, community educators, and legal advocates can work
within the facility instead of in external offices. Counselling for non residents can
be held within the building and participants can share their experience and become
familiar with the facility.
The following are other elements of the transition home that have been inte-
grated into the architectural program to encourage social support.

Retail Outlets
A coffee shop or salons are places to indirectly educate the public about
domestic violence, poverty and other women issues. Posters or pamphlets highlight-
ing programs within the transition home can be displayed and force a conversation
amongst the customers. Some women experiencing a crisis may be intimidated to go
directly to a shelter for help. Therefore, they can retrieve basic information about
shelter services from the staff. This is also an opportunity to educate relatives and
friends of those in need.
Many women that have been homeless or lived in an abusive environment
have developed a sense of isolation and distrust which works against their willingness

85
to receive help. Restabilising one’s self-esteem is an important component to over-
coming homelessness or abuse.6 Women struggling to secure shelter and food may
find it difficult to maintain personal hygiene and appearance. The physical contact of
having hair washed and cut helps to comfort fears and establish receptiveness to other
forms of assistance.

The Entrance
The entrance to the transition home needs to be inviting and portray a sense
of refuge. The entrance should be clearly visible from the street. Residents may not
feel comfortable using a side entrance that cannot be monitored by neighbours. A
change in plane and height, along with appropriate lighting and differentiation of
material can help to draw attention to the entrance.7
There are two secured entrances into the transition home. The first entrance
is directly off Concession Street in order to accommodate staff and residents that use
public transportation or to provide direct access to local shops. This is also the en-
trance for members of the public to access some of the services that the facility pro-
vides. Occupants that drive can access the transition home through a second secured
entrance that is closer in proximity to the parking lot. Therefore, residents and staff
are not required to walk around the building late at night in order to gain access.
Security factors greatly into the design of the entry sequence. Many facili-
ties have adopted a policy where only staff is permitted to let people enter and leave
the residence. However, staff is not always positioned at the door and residents or
visitors must wait outside until their call is answered. This can be an uncomfortable
situation for residents fearing exposure to potential harm or harassment. The entry
sequence also serves as a buffer between the transition home and the surrounding
community. Neighbours might be easily annoyed by large groups congregating on
an open porch. Design features that might help to avoid these concerns include a
gated courtyard or a large reception area. Loitering is done either inside the building
or in the courtyard. This minimizes the visual impact on the community and screens
women from dangerous encounters with their abusers.
The location of the reception desk is also a security component. It is ideal
for a staff member to be able to monitor the entrance, the common lounge and pro-
vide information from a single station. A shelter for families requires a well super-
vised area to accommodate children while the mother is sorting through administra-
tive issues.

Classroom
Planning for the future is an essential component of a transition home. The
classroom is to help residents gain the skills that will enable them to be employable
and independent. Instructional courses and seminars can also be presented to for-
mer residents and members of the community. A community kitchen can help resi-
dents and non-residents to learn new cooking and budgeting skills. The social aspect

86
of a community kitchen is also an important component for the women participating
in the program.

Childcare Centre
Childcare is essential for residents and non-residents attending programs in
the transition home or meeting other appointments. If a woman is pursuing her edu-
cation or employed, childcare becomes a major issue. Many women are prevented
from pursuing their education or employment goals because they do not have access
to affordable childcare. Acquiring childcare services is a significant barrier for women
fleeing domestic violence.

Day Room
The day room or common lounge is an area where residents can relax and
socialize, as they would in the living room of their own home. The area is easily
monitored by staff and serves as an alternative to sitting in a lobby or standing in line.
There is also a library and tables for residents looking for a place to study. The lounge
is a prime area for socialization. Women who have experienced domestic violence or
homelessness are unlikely to have a social network or a strong sense of community.8
Living in permanent housing, obtaining and retaining employment, and simply nego-
tiating daily life require social skills.
Furniture arrangement is very important to the social interaction potential of
a space.9 Sociopetal seating arrangements encourage interaction by movable furniture
pieces or comfortable interpersonal distances. This results in ease of eye contact and
physical comfort during conversations. Seating arranged in groups of two to four in
large communal spaces provides choices and a small-group sense of privacy.10 Sociofu-
gal seating arrangements usually involve inflexible furniture and direct people away
from each other so that eye contact is difficult. Sitting too close or too far tends to
discourage social interaction.11

Fig. 4.4  FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTS Sociopetal seating

arrangementsencourage social interaction. Sociofugal seating
arrangements direct people away from each other.

87
Counselling and Outreach Services
Individual and group counselling is an essential service that is available at
most emergency shelters and transition homes across Canada. The majority of the
residents are suffering from either physical or emotional abuse when they first arrive
at a transition home.12 A medical room is provided for health-care specialists to regu-
larly visit the facility. Access to these services can also be made available to current
and former residents.

Studio
A place to exercise also provides some therapeutic value. Physical abuse,
homelessness and stress can take a toll on the body. As other aspects of women’s
lives improve in the transition home, so will their willingness to pay attention to their
physical health. Regular exercise is one component of establishing discipline and
structure.13 Residents and non-residents could participate in weight lifting, yoga or
self-defence classes. Group exercise provides further opportunities to interact with
other women.
Out of the Cold is a drop-in program for people seeking temporary accom-
modations during the winter season. It is operated by local faith groups and provides
sleeping mats for the homeless at various locations across Hamilton. When I spent
the day at Martha’s House in Hamilton, residents and staff were concerned about
homeless individuals being allowed in the facility at a moment of crisis. They feared
theft, drug abuse or violence by this unknown group. Therefore, during extremely
cold nights, homeless women can be sheltered in the studio. This permits the differ-
ent populations to be sheltered and secured at the same time.

Fig. 4.5  Studio and Coffee Shop section

88
Notes

1 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Bos-
ton ; Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
2 C.M. Deasy and T. E. Lasswell. 1985. Designing places for people : A handbook on human
behavior for architects, designers, and facility managers. New York: Whitney Library of De-
sign.
3 Ralph B Taylor. 1988. Human territorial functioning : An empirical, evolutionary perspective on
individual and small group territorial cognitions, behaviors, and consequence. Environment and
behavior serie. Cambridge [England] ; New York: Cambridge University Press.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Sam Davis. Designing for the Homeless: Architecture that Works. Los Angeles,CA: Univer-
sity of California Press, 2004.
7 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston ;
Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
8 Ibid.
9 Robert Sommer, 1969. Personal space; the behavioral basis of design. Englewood Cliffs: N.J.
10 Joan Forrester Sprague, op. cit.
11 Robert Sommer, op. cit.
12 Leslie M. Tutty, PhD. 2006. Effective Practices in Sheltering Women Leaving Violence in Inti-
mate Relationships. Toronto, ON: YWCA Canada.
13 Sam Davis, op. cit.

89
Fig. 5.1  Spatial Hierarchy

90
05
GIVE A SENSE OF CONTROL

Residents are often encouraged to be as independent as they wish. However,

there are many rules and restrictions when living in a transition home. Control is
defined as the ability to either altar the physical environment or regulates exposure
to one’s surroundings. Physical constraints, flexibility, privacy, defensible space, and
certain symbolic elements are key design concepts significant to control. Physical
constraints within the built environment that reduce choice or behavioural options
can cause stress.1 Prolonged exposure to uncontrollable environmental conditions
has also been linked with learned helplessness. Helplessness is related to psychological
distress and may be associated with physical disease.2 Insufficient spatial resources,
inflexible spatial arrangements, and lack of climatic or lighting control, all threaten in-
dividual needs to effectively interact with interior space.3 Privacy and spatial hierarchy
are major contributors to providing shelter residents with a sense of control.4
Communal housing may be a preference for some but it is also a source of
stress. Whenever people live together for extended periods common problems are
likely to appear. Friction between residents results from sharing the same space with
people of different values, interest and habits. Therefore, the townhome model was
adapted to separate the residents into smaller household communities. More children
are starting to accompany their mothers into transition homes. Therefore, three of
the townhomes are dedicated to families. A fourth townhome is assigned to single
women or teenagers.
All of the townhomes have an area where residents can relax, socialize, and
watch TV as they would in the living room of their own home. A shared kitchen al-
lows residents to learn new cooking techniques, nutrition information and budgeting
skills. The social aspect of preparing a meal is also an important component for the
women living in the residence.5 Sharing meals is a way of connecting with others in a
relaxed setting. Sharing a kitchen takes coordination and cooperation on behalf of all

91
 1. courtyard entrance
2. lounge
3. communal kitchen
4. accessible suite for single women or
teens
5. suite for single women or teens

Fig. 5.2  Unit Plans: Home for Single WOmen and Teenagers

92
 1. courtyard entrance
2. lounge
3. communal kitchen
4. suite for mother and two (2) children
5. accessible suite for mother and two (2)
children
6. suite for mother and six (6) children

Fig. 5.3  Unit Plans: Home for Women With CHildren

93
those involved. For women who have been homeless for some time, have no cooking
skills, have specific diets, or have no inherent connections with other residents, this
arrangement may be unworkable.6

5.1 Residential Units

When I spent the day at Martha’s House, I was given an additional tour of
the shelter but this time I had a resident as my guide. She brought me to her bed-
room so I could see for myself how she had been living for the past three weeks. The
room was roughly 150sf with walls painted a intense shade of green and bare of any
artwork. The view from the window was towards the alley that separated the shelter
from the neighbouring building. There were two sets of twin mattress sitting directly
on the floor and jammed against adjacent walls. One bed was stripped completely
bare as it was not being occupied at the moment. Besides the mattresses on the floor,
there was no other furniture in the room. What belongings the women had brought
with her were stored in a black garbage bag beside her bed.
There was no place available in Martha’s House for residents to have a mo-
ment to themselves to reflect and contemplate the next steps in their lives. All rooms,
including bedrooms and bathrooms, were communal and did not allot for privacy.
The sleeping quarters for the design proposal are separate suites as opposed
to one large room or dormitory. More children are starting to accompany their moth-
ers into transition homes. Therefore, the number of one-bedroom units is limited.
Larger apartments with space for two or three beds accommodate families much
better.
The design proposal for the transition home requires members of the same
family to share a single room. Private space is important for strengthening the family
household. Both adults and children need privacy as single mothers often have little
opportunity for time away from their children. 7 At least half of an adult’s or a child’s
time is spent in personal private activities which include sleeping, playing, contempla-
tion, dressing and personal hygiene. Space for these activities may be in a separate or
shared room. Low walls and open shelving are used for visual and acoustical separa-
tion between mother and children areas to reinforce personal space. Open shelving
also provides storage space and an area to display of photographs and personal be-
longings. This encourages personalization of a space for the changing population of
a transition home. Arranging furniture and displaying personal objects can reinforce
a mother’s and child’s ability to take control over other aspects of their lives. 8
Furthermore, sleeping is the most personal activity, requiring the most per-
sonal space.9 Private territory is reduced to a bed and the area around it when mem-
bers of a household share a single space. Larger beds are provided for mothers and
reflect their dominant personal space. Some residents may also find sleeping in a
single bed quite unsettling once they were not accustomed to doing so.10
Design may offer opportunities to combat stress by providing rest, recovery,

94
Fig. 5.4  Section through household units

95
or contemplation. Reflective activities in particular demand a minimum of distraction
and some degree of isolation. Privacy nooks and alcoves provide a space to retreat to
and buffer some of the negative impacts of residential crowding and loud noise.

Notes

1 F Cuthbert Salmon. Rehabilitation center planning; an architectural guide. Pennsylvania State

University Press, 1959.
2 C.M. Deasy and T. E. Lasswell. 1985. Designing places for people : A handbook on human
behavior for architects, designers, and facility managers. New York: Whitney Library of Design.
3 Yannick Joye. “Architectural Lessons From Environmental Psychology: The Case of
Biophilic Architecture” Review of General Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2007.
4 Ibid.
5 Kate Woodman, Second Stage Shelters: Closing the Gap. Edmonton, AL: Alberta Council
of Women’s Shelters, 2008.
6 Shostack, Albert L. 2000. Shelters for battered women and their children : A comprehensive
guide to planning and operating safe and caring residential programs. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C
Thomas.
7 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston ;
Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
8 Joan Forrester Sprague, op. cit.
9 Ibid.
10 Allen Whittle (Facility Manager, Good Shepherd Centres oh Hamilton ) in discussion
with the author, March 2008.

96
CONCLUSION

I got off the bus a block away from the transition home. Luckily, I did not
have too far to go because the weight of the groceries and my book bag was starting
to put pressure on my shoulders. As I approached the building, the smell of freshly
baked muffins grew stronger from the coffee shop on the ground floor. The patio was
quite busy with small groups and individuals taking in the afternoon sun. I spot-
ted Lucile, one of my neighbours, inside the coffee shop. She was deeply engrossed
in a conversation with another woman whom I have never seen before. I wonder if
that is her sister. I believe she mentioned that she was expecting her sister to visit
from Ottawa when we were in the laundry room last week. Lucile is originally from
that area, but was referred to a transition home in Hamilton because her husband’s
constant threats of violence presented a serious risk.
The door to the adjacent salon was left ajar, which permitted the sound of
endless gossip and blow dryers to flood the air. Two of the stylists are former resi-
dents. They help to inform the general public of the various events and community
programs that are held within the facility every month.
During the day, the entrance doors remain unlocked so that visitors can eas-
ily access community programs, counselling services and medical appointments. In
all accounts, the receptionist has a clear view of whoever enters the building at all
times. The foyer is mainly lit by the large louver window on the far wall. The angles
of the wood trellis permit daylight from the courtyard to enter the space but visibly
screen the activities that are taking place outdoors. The courtyard is only accessible to
residents and staff. I gained access to the courtyard by passing through the childcare
centre. The room was empty and the youth worker informed me that all the children
were playing outside. From the garden path, I spotted my daughter performing cart-
wheels on the lawn with two other girls. Once she saw me in the courtyard, she ran
over and yanked one of the bags from my arms.

97
 She skipped along as we crossed the garden to our townhome on the other
side of the courtyard. A few of our neighbours were gathered in the common lounge
and were transfixed by a soap opera playing on the television. We all exchanged greet-
ings then my daughter and I ascended to our apartment on the second floor. Once
inside, my daughter ran over to the drawing set that was left on the floor by the couch.
Through the open shelves, I could still see her vigorously colouring in shapes as I lay
down on my bed. It had been a long and exhausting day, but I could not be happier
to finally be home.

Many homes today are far from resembling sanctuaries and cause its occu-
pants to seek alternative accommodations. Not having a place to call home restricts
access to necessities such as suitable shelter, security, nutritious foods, education and
social service programs. It can also affect the overall well-being of an individual and
might increase stress, lower self-esteem and isolate people from the community.1
Women arrive at a transition home for a number of reasons. For some the
cause is primarily economic—high rents, low income, and a great scarcity of afford-
able housing. Others are fleeing abuse either by a parent or a partner. In the past
few years an increasing number of refugees have arrived at women’s shelters. Others
have come through the mental health system and ended up on the street. For many
it is a combination of factors but the majority will have experienced abuse at some
point in their lives.
Transition homes are critical sources of support for women and children in
crisis. They are an essential component of the services and programs that respond to
the needs of individuals fleeing domestic violence and those facing difficulties with
housing and poverty. More than just a safe place to stay, transition homes2 offer resi-
dents access to a variety of services that will help them to better their lives. In addi-
tion, shelters often engage in outreach activities, thereby extending their much needed
support to those residing outside the doors of the facility. They allow a woman the
necessary time to heal from the wounds of an abusive relationship, to find counsel-
ling, a job or educational opportunity and a new home for her family.
In order to understand the complexities of poverty and develop an effective
response to women issues, it is important to examine how poverty impacts men and
women differently. The thesis documented some of the gender dimensions of home-
lessness in Hamilton and across Canada and the links between gender and poverty.
Violence against women and childrearing are significant factors in homelessness and
the availability of housing for women.
Women and children living in transition homes are often fearful and uncertain
about their safety, their future, and their isolation from normal social relationships.3
The complex environment of a shared residence also contributes to the stressful situ-
ation. Stress can cause a person’s physical, mental and emotional condition to weaken
and affect the healing or recovery process.4 Data from homeless shelters, assaulted
women’s shelters, supportive housing and drop-ins show that a high percentage of
women experience on-going living difficulties as a result of trauma, and that they

98
require support to maintain their housing.5
Transition homes are designed not only to support and facilitate outreach
programs or to provide a safe place to stay, but they must also embrace the women
and children that reside there in a supportive therapeutic environment. A women’s
place is not limited to a single location. However, a women’s place cannot be in a
home that does not offer security, respite and warmth.
The intention of this thesis is to look at how design and architectural deci-
sions can impact women and children residing in a transition home. There is a grave
misconception that designing for the less fortunate does not require achieving any
standards for quality or comfort. The design of our surrounding environment affects
our behaviour, the way we feel about ourselves, and the way we get along with others.
The design of a transition home for women and children must take into consideration
the relationship between behaviour and environment if they intend to create a com-
munity where these effects are positive and beneficial.
A sizable body of research suggests that the design of a physical setting im-
pacts the wellbeing of both residents and staff.6 Therefore, housing and space play
a role in the quality of life of individuals and communities. To create a therapeutic
environment, architects are responsible for using design to find solutions that will af-
fect the residents and staff in positive ways, throughout the transition home.
What are the architectural qualities that are found in buildings that are re-
sponsive to both the needs and the feelings of the people who used them? There
are no official design guidelines or standards to create a transition home for women
and children. Therefore, I reviewed information about the ways human behaviour
is influenced by the buildings human inhibit. Much of this information was derived
from analysing existing women shelters, healthcare settings and intentional commu-
nities. More of it was drawn from research in the humane sciences and the field of
environmental design.
Theories from the field of environmental design have a lot to offer the archi-
tectural profession. Psychologist and other behavioural scientists have studied how
people respond to colour, light, sizes of rooms, seating arrangements and other issues
that can be applied to architecture or interior design. However, the task of sorting
through the information available and translating it into design recommendations was
a long and complicated process. Fortunately, the thesis derives four design principles
that can be used to situate a suitable transition home within an urban location and
to create a therapeutic environment. Site selection, providing restorative qualities,
enabling social support and giving a sense of control all contribute to the design of a
transition home. By better understanding these elements and their physical proper-
ties, designers are more consciously prepared to create a therapeutic environment.
Through deliberate design choices, architects can offer an appropriate solution to
women’s housing issues that foster independence, provide safety and give hope for a
brighter future.
Site consideration involves architects playing a critical role in overcoming
a communities’ reluctance to have transition homes for women and children built

99
in their neighbourhoods. If these programs are to succeed, they must be situated
in residential and commercial areas, near public transportation, jobs, social services,
and schools – not at the outskirts of town or at the margins of industrial zones. The
neighbouring community needs access to information to help them understand the
issues that affect housing in their area. A common complaints expressed by neigh-
bours is that they were not sufficiently informed about proposed developments and
changes.7
Positive distractions help to take residents attention away from the stress or
trauma that brought them to the transition home. A courtyard is essential to the de-
sign and success of a transition home. A courtyard provides positive distractions by
offering views of nature and social activities within the space. One of the constraints
of living within a protected facility is the ability to enjoy outdoor spaces. Some resi-
dents may not feel comfortable leaving the building due to the fear of their abuser
finding them. A courtyard gives the needed security while providing an outdoor space
for a range of activities. A community garden serves as a restorative escape from the
possibly hectic environment of a transition home. Children might be confined to
the shelter for security reasons. Therefore, an exterior courtyard provides them with
a safe place to play. Architecturally, courtyards bring light into the building’s interior
and provide sight lines into controlled space. Courtyards also help to reduce the shel-
ter’s noise and visual impact on the neighbourhood since they concentrate all activity
within the facility.
A difficulty I encountered with the exterior design of the transition home
was the location and planning of the parking lot. The size of the parking lot was de-
termined by municipal guidelines and regulations. It does not reflect the needs of the
population requiring these services as the amount of parked cars at one time is likely
to be limited. The parking lot also needed to be visible at all times therefore under-
ground parking was neither feasible nor practical. In reflection, surface treatments,
visibility and the location of building entrances could help to animate the parking lot
for the transition home occupants and the surrounding community.
Women who have experienced domestic violence, who are recovering from
substance abuse, or who are struggling to raise a family, can benefit from close peer
support and sharing.8 Therefore, it is important for the design to encourage social
networking within the centre. Cohabitation and shared amenities encourages social
interaction among the residents. Relationships are based on shared interests and
backgrounds; they are also dependent on opportunity and how our environments are
arranged.9 Making it possible for people to make contact or to avoid contact as they
choose should be an important consideration for designers. Unless there is a chance
to meet, neither friendship nor acquaintanceship is possible. Communal housing may
be a preference for some but it is also a source of stress. Whenever people live to-
gether for extended periods common problems are likely to appear. Friction between
residents may result from sharing the same space with people of different values,
interest and habits. Therefore, the townhome model was adapted to separate the resi-
dents into smaller household communities. However, the inclusion of townhomes

100
hinders supervision and the formation of relationships between residents and staff.
Giving a sense of control encourages residents to be as independent as they
wish. Control is defined as the ability to either altar the physical environment or
regulates exposure to one’s surroundings. Physical constraints within the built envi-
ronment that reduce choice or behavioural options can cause stress.10 Prolonged ex-
posure to uncontrollable environmental conditions has also been linked with learned
helplessness.11 Therefore, areas for privacy and reflection are provided throughout
the design.
The stated design principles are not intended to imply that it is the sole re-
sponsibility of the architect to make a positive impact on a building’s occupants. De-
sign alone cannot cause two strangers to become friends or instantaneously calm a
person upon arrival. However, design can provide opportunities for these events
to occur. Additionally, it is the presence of other people that is important. This is
reflected in all the principles from the selection of the site to the location of the com-
mon rooms.
There is a need for research to provide designers with scientific evidence to
support their selections of colour, layout of space, lighting design, or any number
of other issues. However, not enough research presently exists testing these issues
in specific settings comparable to that of a transition home. The practicality of do-
ing so makes this work especially challenging. There are numerous variables such as
resident’s history with abuse, presence of children, access to social programs, contact
with family and friends, and the attitude of staff that are hard to control. How the
community environment is managed also affects both the residents’ and the building’s
long-term success. A well-managed building strengthens program goals, has lower
repair costs, and better financial feasibilities.
This thesis is intended to be a useful, practical resource for the designers as
well as the operators and managers of transition homes and related facilities. The
research and information provided can guide decisions made by those who design
and administer transition homes and benefit all who share a concern for improving
the design process. More importantly, it will greatly benefit the many women and
children that are expected to live and interact in these places and depend on these
services.

101
Notes

1 Cathy Davis. Housing associations: Re-housing Women Leaving Domestic Violence: New Chal-
lenges and Good Practice.
2 Jain Malkin. Hospital interior architecture: creating healing environment for special patient popula-
tions. New York, N.Y.: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1992.
3 Donileen R. Loseke, 1992. Battered woman and shelters : The social construction of wife abuse.
SUNY series in deviance and social control. Albany: State University of New York
Press.
4 Jain Malkin, op. cit.
5 Ibid.
6 Joan Forrester Sprague. 1991. More than housing : Lifeboats for women and children. Boston
; Toronto: Butterworth Architecture.
7 Albert L. Shostack. Shelters for battered women and their children: a comprehensive guide to
planning and operating safe and caring residential programs. Springfield, Ill.:Charles C Thomas
Publisher, Ltd., 2001.
8 Joan Forrester Sprague, op. cit.
9 C.M. Deasy and T. E. Lasswell. 1985. Designing places for people : A handbook on human
behavior for architects, designers, and facility managers. New York: Whitney Library of De-
sign.
10 Ibid.
11 Jain Malkin, op. cit.

102
references

Architecture and Housing

Alexander, Christopher. 1979. Timeless way of building. New York: Oxford University
Press.
———. 1979. Timeless way of building. New York: Oxford University Press.
Alexander, Christopher, Sara Ishikawa, and Murra Silverstein. 1977. Pattern language
: Towns, buildings, construction. New York: Oxford University Press.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 1983. Resident gardening in social hous-
ing environments - identifying the need.
Davis, Sam. 2004. Designing for the homeless : Architecture that works. Berkeley, Calif.
; London: University of California Press.
Davis, Sam. 1995. Architecture of affordable housing. Berkeley: University of Califor-
nia Press.
Marcus, Clare Cooper, and Wendy Sarkissian. 1986. Housing as if people mattered :
Site design guidelines for medium-density family housing. Berkeley: University of
California Press.
Newman, Oscar. 1973. Architectural design for crime prevention. [Washington]: Na-
tional Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.
Ward, W. Peter. History of domestic space : privacy and the Canadian home. Vancouver,
BC: UBC Press, 1999.

103
Violence Against Women, Emergency Shelters and Affordable Housing
Abramovitz, Mimi. 1988. Regulating the lives of women : Social welfare policy from
colonial times to the present. Boston, MA: South End Press.
Bridgman, Rae. 2003. Safe haven: the story of a shelter for homeless women. Toronto,
ON: University of Toronto Press.
Bridgman, Rae. 2006. StreetCities : Rehousing the homeless. Broadview ethnographies
& case studies. urban series. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press.
———. 2002. Safe haven : The story of a shelter for homeless women. Toronto ; Buf-
falo: University of Toronto Press.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 1983. Resident gardening in social hous-
ing environments - identifying the need.
Cieraad, Irene. 1999. At home : An anthropology of domestic space. Space, place, and
societ. 1st ed ed. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press.
Dandekar, Hemalata C. 1993. Shelter, women and development : First and third world
perspectives : Proceedings of an international conference, college of architecture
and urban P. Ann Arbor, Mich: George Wahr Pub. Co.
Davis, Cathy. 2003. Housing associations : Rehousing women leaving domestic violence
: New challenges and good practice. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Davis, Sam. 1995. Architecture of affordable housing. Berkeley: University of Califor-
nia Press.
Davis, Sam. 2004. Designing for the Homeless: Architecture that Works. Los Angeles,
CA: University of California Press.
Harman, Lesley D. 1989. When a hostel becomes a home : Experiences of women. 1st
ed ed. Toronto: Garamond Press.
Gondolf, E.W. & E.R. Fisher. 1988. Battered women as survivors: an alternative to
treating learned helplessness. Lexington, Mass.:Lexington Books.
Lenk, Anna. “Transitional Housing: Objectives, Indicators of Success and Outcomes”
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Series 04-017, (2004).
Loseke, Donileen R. 1992. Battered woman and shelters : The social construction of
wife abuse. SUNY series in deviance and social contro. Albany: State University
of New York Press.
Novac, Sylvia. 1996. Borderlands of homelessness : Women’s views on alternative hous-
ing. Toronto, Ont.: Women’s Services Network.
Sinclair,Deborah. “Living Without Fear: A Day of Social Justice”. (Conference on
Awareness of Abuse Against Women, sponsored by the Catholic Family Ser-
vices, Toronto ON, October 18, 2008).

104
Shostack, Albert L. 2000. Shelters for battered women and their children : A compre-
hensive guide to planning and operating safe and caring residential programs.
Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas.
Tutty, Leslie M., PhD. Effective Practices in Sheltering Women Leaving Violence in
Intimate Relationships. Toronto, ON: YWCA Canada, 2006.
Taylor-Butts, Andrea. “Canada’s Shelters for Abused Women, 2003/04” Statistics
Canada - Catalogue no. 85-002-XiE, Vol. 25, No.3, (2005).
Woodman, Kate. Second Stage Shelters: Closing the Gap. Edmonton, AL: Alberta
Council of Women’s Shelters, 2008.

Women and Poverty in Hamilton, Ontario

City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2006. Women and Poverty in
Hamilton.
City of Hamilton and Planning and Research Council. 2007. On Any Given Night:
Measuring Homelessness in Hamilton.
Whittle, Allen (Facility Manager, Good Shepherd Centres oh Hamilton ) in discussion
with the author, March 2008.
Freeman, B. (2001). Hamilton : A people’s history. Toronto: J. Lorimer.
Rockwell, M. T. (2009). A facelift and the wrecking ball: Urban Renewal and Hamil-
ton’s King Street west, 1957-1971. Urban History Review, 37(2), 53.

Behavioral Psychology
Deasy, C. M., and Thomas E. Lasswell. 1985. Designing places for people : A handbook
on human behavior for architects, designers, and facility managers. New York:
Whitney Library of Design.
Kellert, Stephen R., Judith Heerwagen, and Martin Mador. 2008. Biophilic Design : The
theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
Malkin, Jain. 1992. Hospital interior architecture : Creating healing environment for
special patient populations. New York, N.Y.: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Marcus, Clare Cooper, and Marni Barnes. 1995. Gardens in healthcare facilities : Uses,
therapeutic benefits, and design recommendations. Martinez, CA: Center for
Health Design.
Sommer, Robert. 1969. Personal space; the behavioral basis of design. Englewood
Cliffs: N.J.
Sommer, Robert. 1983. Social design : Creating buildings with people in mind. Engle-
wood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

105
Taylor, Ralph B. 1988. Human territorial functioning : An empirical, evolutionary
perspective on individual and small group territorial cognitions, behaviors, and
consequence. Environment and behavior serie. Cambridge [England] ; New
York: Cambridge University Press.
Joseph, Anjali. “The Impact of Lighting Outcomes in Healthcare Settings” The Centre
for Health Design. Concord, CA, 2006.
Joye, Yannick. “Architectural Lessons From Environmental Psychology: The Case of
Biophilic Architecture” Review of General Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2007.
Petherick, Nathan. “Environmental Design and Fear: The Prospect-Refuge Model and
the University College of the Cariboo Campus” Western Geography, Canadian
Association of Geographers (2001).
Salmon, F Cuthbert. Rehabilitation center planning; an architectural guide. Pennsyl-
vania State University Press, 1959.
Ulrich, Roger S. “Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design.” In Biophilic
Design : The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. edited by
Kellert, Stephen R., Judith Heerwagen, and Martin Mador. 2008. Hoboken, N.J.:
Wiley.

Intentional Communities
Gavron, Daniel. Holy land mosaic: stories of cooperation and coexistence between
Israelis and Palestinians. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.
Lenoir, Albert. Monastic Architecture. Paris, France. Impr. Nationale, 1972.
Schehr, Robert C. Dynamic Utopia: establishing intentional communities as a new
social movement. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey, 1997.
“About Cohousing” Canadian Cohousing Network (2005), www.cohousing.ca ac-
cessed July, 2008).
“Ashram’s Architecture” Anandmurti Gurumaa Ashram (2004), www.gurumaa.com/
ashram_architecture.asp (accessed July, 2008).

106