Dwelling in Transition

This is a unique stage in our lifetime because this is the first transition that an individual typically undergoes without the support system of their family or an academic institution. Further, this is typically when an individual first establishes a distinct home for themselves. These are both issues that led my inquiry from the very start.

After researching the psychological aspects of transition and then mapping a range of domestic activities, I established a division of spaces by privacy. By having spaces that range from private to shared to public, the tenants have the choice to engage with others on their own terms, thereby flexibly providing autonomy within a community.

Site / Context

My selected site is two buildings between S. Main and S. Water Streets. It is  ideally located between two commercial districts allowing the tenants to live a car-free life in Providence. A planned footbridge connecting College Hill and the Jewelry District is steps away.

Private / Public

A single-story connector is removed and replaced with a spacious and transparent central circulation space that ties the buildings together and negotiates the different floor heights.

At street level and below, a micro-market and cafe provide a commercial presence in the neighborhood and engage the tenants with broader community. Private living spaces are arranged around the exterior of the building to provide the greatest amount of natural day lighting from the large existing windows.

Occupying the space between public and private are shared amenities and communal spaces, including laundry, kitchen & dining, workshops and an acoustically-isolated event space.