HEALTH FRIENDSHIP CURIOSITY OPENNESS JOY COLLECTIVITY EQUALITY SOLIDARITY
Manifesto
Ca 40-50 youth under 20 years commit suicide in Sweden every year, of them ca 5 are under the age of 15. Suicide is the leading de- ath reason among men between 15 and 44 years old in Sweden. During the last 15 years the amount of suicides has decreased by ca 20%, the same applies to most of EU. How ever the trend does not apply to the youth and young adults, where the suicide rates has been on
the same level for a long time.
Since the 1970’s a network of Youth Health Centers (Ungdomsmottagning, UMO)is incorpo- rated within the Swedish public health sys- tem. Today in the regular UMO the focus has been on sexual and reproductive health care, and the extent of integrating mental health
care services is less developed.
Youth is a delicate user who needs to be treated with caution and respect. Also men- tal issues are a delicate issue. Though the stigma slowly is broken down the health iss- ues remain and evolve. The healthcare need to meet the rising needs of this kind of care.
Generally today the UMO practice is outda- ted. In a scientific research made in Umeå University several strategies are presented, enabling improvement of the UMO. Introducing a mental health oriented and youth-friendly
organization.
These issues should be addressed in ways that encourage openness, humanity and respect.
Through architecture enabling these needs to be met by designing spaces where you feel safe and important. By attracting the youth and create a non-intimidating environment health can be fostered. Where health and lei- sure are merged, working together on a com- mon quest. A place for the youth to go where they are taken seriously, where health, so- cialization, equality and diversity are cul- tivated, a place where they have the possi-
bility to thrive.
Youth Center Holmsund
another youth health app-
roach
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Illustration UMO examining room
Illustration West facade // Main entrance
schools
significant routes SITE
proposal area leisure area industial area
new residential area residential area
traintrack with potential stops busline
HOLMSUND
UMEÅ
OBBOLA
Blå vägen
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Urban & Site strategy
In my interviews I included questions on prefe- rations from the agents on location, design and name, to make it as accessible and approachable as possible to the actual users.
My site preferences were accessibility with some seclusion (even though site seclution is more irrelevant when combining it with less stig- matized organizations like a youth house like Hamnmagasinet), closeness to public transport, schools and other public facilities to simplify and enhance the utalization and approachability.
The site is located in central Holmsund surroun- ded by important Holmsund institutions. The plot is approximately 100 x 50 m and sits right behind Coop. It is contiguous to various sized residen- tial buildings in west and east, in north to a small parking lot and Coop in south. There are two busstops within 100 m radie from the site, and the three Holmsund schools sits a 5-15 min walk away. There are several trees in the plot and topographically it is quite flat which will simplify the utilization.
UMO frequency
Umeå
Kajutan (restaurant)
Coop
Pizzeria Church
Health care center Skärgårdscaféet
Urban plan
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Obbola
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Site plan
1:300
Design strategy
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Illustration Theater
Skin // Glass facade
Structure
Concrete slabs Circulation //
Entrances //
Flows Programme Landscape
youth health care(UMO)(ca 100 sqm)
staff area (ca 100 sqm)
youth center (ca 250sqm)
Diagrams
Designing with the context in mind. The building has deve- loped as a reaction to its surroundings. Though it possesses characteristics generally found in large-scale projects, this building is adapted to the lowkey identity of the surrounding area. Heightwise and gridwise relating to the surrounding built environment, flows and site properties, consisting of only ca 500 sqm floor surface.
The slighty sloping topography of the site is permeating through the shape and design of the building, creating an
inside-outside continuity and relation. The shape metaphori- cally resemble a cut-out of the land erected, growing out of the ground. Creating a mountable green roof garden accessible to the public, offering views and possibilities of different activities around the year.
The main entrance is reached from the road paralell to the west facade, appearing like a hole in the surface of the fa- cade, inviting in through a semi-closed courtyard. Two se- condary entrances are accessible from the south and north
facades.
The three legs create natural partition and different spati- alities and atmospheres in the building and protected, se- mi-private inbetween outside spaces.
Basically the building is structured by three levels of concrete slabs and wooden columns and beams, with vertical circulation and bearing walls working as stabilizing (and bearing) elements. The glass facade generate light, openness and a welcoming feeling to the building.
Youth Center Holmsund // Rebecca Rudolph // UMA 3
Floor plans
ground floor 1:200
1st floor 1:200
The youth health center (UMO) should have a holis- tic approach to youth health with a focus on mental health. It should encourage positivity, health, ac- ceptance, unity, equality and trust, and at the same time offer a cool place where young people want to hang out.
Additional activities will be included to make it more approachable and attract the youngsters; this could be ping pong, workshops, group talks, book clubs, LAN, cultivation, self defense courses, physical ac- tivities like yoga, rock-climbing, maybe some kind of cooperation with IKSU etc. These activities could be on initiative from the youngsters themself. They could arrange activities and businesses them self – collect money for trips, run cafes, events, markets etc.
There is a lot of stigma connected to going to the UMO. By intertwining these two main programme compo- nents they could complement and enhance each other and work together as a unit in effort to attract and gather the youth, also activating the building evenly throughout the day.
Interior
Programme and activities
1
Staff area2
3 4 5 6
1
2
3 4
5
6
Staff office Entrance area Closable room Kitchen
Theater
7 8
7 8
UMO - waiting UMO - examining
