Date of Submission
Spring 5-11-2026
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Robin Puttock
Abstract
Juvenile crime is rising in many U.S. communities, amplifying stress, anxiety, and safety concerns for teens—especially in high-crime neighborhoods where supportive spaces are scarce. This thesis examines whether environmental design practices in teen-focused third spaces—specifically lighting, materials, and restorative views—can measurably reduce stress, anxiety, and violence among youth. Grounded in environmental sociology, trauma-informed design, and biophilic theory, this study centers on creative third-space design that locates maker spaces for cooking, coding, woodworking, welding, and ceramics within a calm common area and an outdoor setting.
The proposed design integrates skill studios, creative labs, and maker spaces connected to shared commons and outdoor learning gardens. Prior research identifies key factors that guide the design process, including lighting quality, materiality, and views paired with flexible space. Glare-controlled daylight, supplemented by warm artificial lighting, supports calm, attentional focus, and perceived safety. Tactile, durable, youth-safe finishes, combined with meaningful acoustic absorption, reduce ambient noise, enable de-escalation, and signal care and stewardship. Layered sightlines to nature, opportunities to engage with outdoor environments, and spaces that transition from quiet study to active making cultivate belonging and encourage interaction.
The intent is to provide a constructive, skill-building alternative to destructive behaviors by channeling after-school hours into supervised making, learning, and community engagement. Context mapping focuses on the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, identifying boundaries and layering candidate third spaces, high schools, and residential hubs to better understand teen access and connectivity.