SHELTER HOME FOR MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN

The project is focused on creating a shelter for socially disadvantaged mothers with children. The goal is to create a safe and stimulating environment that supports their integration into society. The design takes into account the needs of women, children, and staff, emphasizing functionality, dignity, and support. The proposed building is located in Vokovice, Prague 6, near the Arabská Gymnasium and Červený Vrch. The area is rich in civic amenities, greenery, and primarily residential development, making it an ideal environment for a peaceful family life with good access to the city center. An important aspect of the design is the sensitive urban integration into the existing territorial structure and the creation of conditions for future development. The proposal also includes a public park and the expansion of the access road, which improve accessibility and connectivity with the surroundings. The plot on which the shelter is situated is easily accessible from the adjacent street while being sufficiently secluded behind a park located to the south of the site, between the neighboring police station and the shelter. The land is surrounded by green areas that provide privacy and tranquilityconditions that are key to the shelter's function. Parking spaces are proposed along the northern façade of the building. The pedestrian path crossing the site is preserved and revitalized, allowing access to the western part of the land. In the event of future development, this path can be expanded into an access road. The area in front of the shelter is separated by a sidewalk and allows for the creation of a public park that connects the shelter to its surroundings. The volumes of the shelter respect the surrounding buildings and maintain the gentle urban character of the area. The initial inspiration for the design came from a sculpture located near the site and the overall purpose of the proposed building. It often depicts a mother with a child in her arms, close to her heart, with the mother's head bowed and arms wrapped around the child. This symbolism represents love, safety, and unity, which I aimed to reflect through the two masses of the building representing the mother and child nestled together. The architectural solution divides the building into three parts. The first structure, with a circular floor plan, is located at the boundary between public and private space and serves as a link between the public and the shelters residents. This space is intended for hosting workshops and selling handmade products, thus promoting the integration of the shelter into the community. The two main buildings serve the shelters core function and are divided according to use. Accommodation, consisting of 16 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, is located in the western two-story structure. Two of the ground-floor units are designed to be wheelchair accessible. This wing has a secure entrance equipped with an electronic access system. On the other side, the ground floor features a 24/7 reception with the main entrance, childrens playrooms, common rooms, a stroller storage room, laundry facilities, and storage areas. The second floor houses offices for the shelter staff, a shared kitchen, toilets, and two emergency accommodation rooms. These two main buildings are connected on the second floor by a bridge for convenient access. For safety reasons, the entire shelter complex is fenced. The layout of the buildings creates two exterior zones. The courtyard between the buildings is an active area that promotes community and facilitates easy movement. The second zone, behind the residential wing, offers a quieter environment for individual activities.