Emotions, Architecture, Opioids (2020)
Brief summary
Architecture affects emotions. Every environment you are in triggers an emotional reaction. Strong or faint, the built environment has an impact on how we feel and behave. Just like art, or music, or anything else that makes people feel something. The fact that the built environment has an emotional impact on people also means that architecture can be used as a tool to influence people’s behavior. Although nothing new, it is an aspect of architecture that isn’t always explicitly considered by designers – much in the same way one might not always reflect on the relation our surroundings have with the way we think and feel. Combo Competitions wants to explore the subject further by asking participants to actively use it as a design tool.
Today’s opioid epidemic in the United States likely began during the 1980’s, when pain was characterized as something that could, and should, be treated long-term with opioids – drugs previously reserved mainly for short-term treatment due to their highly addictive nature. During the 1990’s pharmacy companies started producing opioid-based pain medication, aggressively – and falsely – promoting it to doctors as a safe and efficient way to treat pain with a very low risk for addiction. This in turn led to an increase in prescriptions by doctors, snowballing into the epidemic of today.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) can be treated through medication-assisted treatment (MAT): the use of medication combined with behavioral therapy. Along with counselling and social support, methadone is administered to patients to reduce withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings. To ease access to methadone, medication units are being introduced as a complement to existing methadone clinics: small facilities where those enrolled in an MAT program can receive methadone, making it easier for people not living near a main clinic to collect their daily dose.
Drug use has long been regarded as a criminal problem rather than a health concern. This stigma of addiction has played a huge role in why the opioid epidemic has spiralled into a national health crisis. Consequently, it is also a fundamental part of the solution. Solving the opioid crisis requires efforts from the government by making addiction treatment available and accessible to those who need it, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic factors – but as with many other issues, politicians won’t act until enough members of the public demand so. If enough people started viewing addiction as a health problem – and demanded it be treated as such, policy, health care and more would soon be reformed to address the demand.
The goal of Emotions, Architecture, Opioids is to design a methadone medication unit located in Venice, Los Angeles. Proposals should address the stigma surrounding opioid dependency: in addition to administering methadone, the medication unit and its setting should offer an environment that is appealing regardless if you struggle with OUD or not.
Inviting two disparate groups to share the space has the aim of dispelling prejudice and building trust, on both sides. Whether this is achieved by design, concept, the incorporation of a secondary function – or a combination of all of the above – is left to the discretion of each participant.
Awarded proposals
1st prize – Here, In Our Backyard by Hyjnid Metaj and Elizabeth Yeoh
JURY’S COMMENTS: Here, In Our Backyard’s successful combination of well-thought-out concept, detailed building program, and appealing presentation makes it a worthy winner.
By offering treatment therapy in combination with public programs like the food garden, kitchen and outdoor dining, the proposal invites anyone to visit and organically get to know new people within the community, quietly dispelling prejudice on all sides. The secondary activities also provide visitors with opportunities for personal self-reflection rather than social activities if desired.
Architecturally the varying degrees of building permeability is compelling, and by allowing the building spatiality to follow the program functions make for a varied yet coherent design with the exterior stair as a clear invitation for people passing by to sit down for a while and for kids to play on.
The beautiful hand-drawn illustrations and story vignettes communicate the ideas very convincingly.
2nd prize – Common Ground by Cindy Nachareun, Melissa Amodeo, Natalie Sandelli and Vivian Ton
JURY’S COMMENTS: By inviting those working to overcome addiction – and those safely sheltered from it – to draw on the notion of art and creativity to process or understand their situation, Common Ground strikes a very convincing balance between clinic and art studio where anyone in the community is invited to attend.
Along with a gallery and an area for outdoor activity, the incorporation of these secondary functions gives people the opportunity to focus on a creative outlet while at the same time meeting and getting to know new people for who they are as a person, without any preconceived labels.
A formally unique proposal, the curving wood facade is an open and intriguing face on the street. Another nice architectural touch of the concept is the idea of paving the floor with ceramic tiles created by those attending pottery sessions upstairs, giving the clinic a continuously evolving appearance.
3rd prize – A Roof, A Fusion, A Cure by Yiran Ma
JURY’S COMMENTS: A proposal with a strong architectural gesture, A Roof, A Fusion, A Cure has an appealing clarity of form and attempt at communal outreach. The shape and translucency of the upper level has the potential to act as a beacon in the neighbourhood, figuratively in the daytime and literally in the evening - an icon for inclusion and community activity. It has a good balance of public and private space, encouraging integration with the community while still allowing for privacy where needed. The undulating facade toward the street creates a soft and welcoming interface with the public.
The inclusion of a ground floor exhibition area dedicated to the opioid epidemic - as well as the entire upper floor focused on lectures and events - highlights the intention of A Roof, Fusion, A Cure to involve and educate the public, presumably leading to a more involved understanding of the epidemic’s impact on society, and how to help.
The muted playfulness of color palette and illustration style helps to reinforce the inviting character of both building and presentation.
Honorable mention – An Embodied Encounter by Zishi Li
JURY’S COMMENTS: By focusing on the story of a set of plausible characters from different sides of opioid addiction, An Embodied Encounter vividly argues for the importance of empathy to combat the stigma of addiction.
At the same time pivotal aspects of concept and design are communicated through subtle hints in the text, effortlessly explaining the project without relying on traditional architectural tools of communication.
The presentation style works well with concept and story theme, with the illustrations giving the text additional depth – and vice versa.
Honorable mention – The Shade-Shack by Julian Bektashi
JURY’S COMMENTS: By offering a beautiful green space within the structure, the Shade-Shack merges the notion of inside and outside, and entices passers-by to enter for a moment of pause and reflection.
Consistently using exposed wood as the main building material, the structure stands out in the area, at the same time invoking curiosity. The material allows for a subtle but continuous change as the wood ages over time
Captivating renderings of the interior and clear drawing communicate the design well, as does the text justifying design decisions.
