Sustainable Residential Community for Immigrants

Hello! My name is Alexandra Navarro and I am a rising sophomore studying Architecture at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. As an architecture student and someone whose city is impacted by affordable housing, I was really drawn to this project. It's a critical issue in my city and I wanted to design something that would make a real impact in my community. Using shipping containers was my first idea. They are a sustainable option and a way to lengthen their lifespan. Over 11 million shipping containers just use space not being used. By using three shipping containers per apartment, I was able to create a spacious apartment with 2 bedrooms and one bathroom for a small family.

I also wanted to address another urgent concern which is the displacement of immigrants in Chicago. Over the last few years a larger number of immigrants have been placed in Chicago from other parts of the US with no place for them to stay. Shelters are overcrowded and many families, especially families with young children who have had to resort to living in the streets.

That is where project Camino Unidos - United Path comes in. The idea is to provide a temporary housing solution specifically for immigrants. It's more than just a roof over their head; it's a space where residents can recover and receive essential service as they prepare for permanent housing. United Path gives them an opportunity to make sure they are in good health in our clinic, ensure they have all the right paperwork and documents from our legal team, to eventually start working and saving money for their own place.

Physical Materials:

Hot Glue

Cardstock

Grass Mat

Paint

Fake plant pieces

Poster Board

Software:

AutoCAD

Rhino

What Camino Unidos provides:

1. Several two bedroom and one bath apartments that are designed to be temporary housing for immigrants in Chicago. The goal is to create a welcoming rest stop where immigrants can rest, recover, and get treated at our facility. We aim to provide opportunities and support that can help the residents transition into permanent housing and allow us to assist new arrivals.
2. The clinic offers six fully equipped treating rooms allowing the medics to treat a wide range of health needs. From a routine check-up to near urgent care. We also provide special services for women including reproductive health and post-natal care. In addition, we provide any vaccinations and mental health counseling. Prescription medications are available for those who need them, and all staff are bilingual to ensure clear communication. Our goal is to create a safe supportive environment where everyone feels heard and cared for.
3. Office area where our 4 dedicated legal attorneys will all have their own office. They are assigned 3-4 families each where they are able to work closely with and work with them to ensure a smooth transition to their new environment and have the necessary paperwork and legal support.
4. There will also be night classes and programs where adults are able to take English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, and various other workshops to connect the community.

I chose to have Camino Unido in East Garfield Park and at 3000 W Washington Blvd because the area is well connected with public transportation. Residents have easy access to the Sacramento and Madison bus routes, as well as the Green Line train, with stops nearby. The neighborhood is surrounded by community organizations and schools ranging from elementary to high school. This will provide extra support and opportunities to the residents. The lot itself is very spacious ensuring support to both the residential and community focused amenities like the garden and clinic. The area is in high need of something like Camino Unidos to make a meaningful impact.

In response to the issues of displacement of immigrants and the housing crisis I wanted to create a space that is more than a shelter. The goal was to create a space that helps immigrants each step of their transition. I was intrigued by the idea of making the space entirely by shipping containers. Using recycled shipping containers as the base for the housing units provides sustainable and low-cost housing. With great insulation the apartments will be just as good as any other building material. I could then plan out where the residents would live, where the medics would have their space, and where the attorneys would work. The design prioritizes support, health, and justice.

Using the help of AutoCAD and Rhino I was able to model out what Camino Unido would look like to scale. These tools allowed me to accurately map out key components to the space. Working to scale helped me understand better how the residents and staff will move through the space and helped me refine proportions of the space.

When creating the physical model, I had to analyze the specific dimensions of existing materials, like shipping containers, and solidify the design of the building. After confirming the logistics, I used a 1/100 scale to begin creating a scaled version. I organized the layout of the site, then started working on the buildings. I used card stock for the buildings and used folds to replicate the appearance of the key component, shipping containers. Finally, I used paint and more decorative materials that weren’t completely scaled, like fake plants, to fully immerse the design and represent features that add to the ambiance of the actual site.

Camino Unidos is not just housing for immigrants but a supportive community working to build a supportive and caring space for immigrants. A space where the system meets the people where they are and helps empower them.

Thank you for creating a space where future architecture can build their skillset and portfolio!