STATEMENT

In Spokane, the urban fabric has been stripped of its original and unique connection to the surrounding pine forest, however, these forests take shape yet again just outside the city. By placing a piece of this local pine forest within the urban fabric of Spokane, it allows for the reconnection, increased interaction, and awareness of the struggling forests. Designing student housing around this local forest allows for it to act as a constant in the fluctuations of life. In the construction of this housing, the forest would be planted and over time with the aid of the students dwelling around it, the forest will grow and so too will the mental health of the students. When put into place, this patch of forest presents a new public gather space to relax, participate in recreation, or even help contribute to the growth of the forest. In addition to building around the pine forest, designing with increased exposure to natural light, cool green/blue colors, reduced visual distraction and increased interaction with green spaces all improve one’s mental state (Lautieri, Thomas, Kelley, Stein, Osbourne, & Ackermann, 2019). The design of the external translucent façade paired with the inner translucent wall to the residential units allows for the entire circulation to act as an artificial sunrise and sunset, a tool to combat seasonal depression and establish a consistent sleeping schedule (Hedaya, 2011). The new setting brings together the community of Spokane in a new public green space, allows for increased interaction and awareness to the local forest, and takes preventative measures to reduce poor mental health in its color theory, natural light, and caretaking of the forest.