Disciplines
Architecture
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Domestic violence is a nationwide crisis affecting millions of women, with severity increasing since COVID-19. In Georgia, over a third of women report experiencing physical violence by an intimate partner, with rural victims facing even greater risks. They experience abuse more frequently, must travel farther for help, and are more likely to be turned away due to limited shelter capacity. Existing shelters often fall short due to poor design and security.
Several factors complicate the issue, including geographic isolation, religious and familial pressures to stay with an abuser, and financial barriers limiting transportation access. Addressing these challenges requires reimagining the women’s shelter typology to meet modern needs. This thesis proposes a new shelter model based on qualitative research and site-specific testing in Homerville, Georgia. Key design considerations include secure architecture, social spaces for community support, medical assistance access, and accommodations for women and children. The project must be cost-effective yet secure enough to protect victims.
Research includes surveys and interviews conducted in rural Georgia shelters during summer 2024, along with literature reviews to compare findings with past data. Mapping was used to identify a site with minimal access to domestic violence crisis centers. Finally, construction methods and architectural design will be studied through precedents that emphasize low-cost, remote, and secure solutions.
By integrating research with innovative shelter design, this project aims to create a more effective, accessible, and protective space for rural domestic violence victims.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Robin Puttock
Included in
The Translucent Fortress
Domestic violence is a nationwide crisis affecting millions of women, with severity increasing since COVID-19. In Georgia, over a third of women report experiencing physical violence by an intimate partner, with rural victims facing even greater risks. They experience abuse more frequently, must travel farther for help, and are more likely to be turned away due to limited shelter capacity. Existing shelters often fall short due to poor design and security.
Several factors complicate the issue, including geographic isolation, religious and familial pressures to stay with an abuser, and financial barriers limiting transportation access. Addressing these challenges requires reimagining the women’s shelter typology to meet modern needs. This thesis proposes a new shelter model based on qualitative research and site-specific testing in Homerville, Georgia. Key design considerations include secure architecture, social spaces for community support, medical assistance access, and accommodations for women and children. The project must be cost-effective yet secure enough to protect victims.
Research includes surveys and interviews conducted in rural Georgia shelters during summer 2024, along with literature reviews to compare findings with past data. Mapping was used to identify a site with minimal access to domestic violence crisis centers. Finally, construction methods and architectural design will be studied through precedents that emphasize low-cost, remote, and secure solutions.
By integrating research with innovative shelter design, this project aims to create a more effective, accessible, and protective space for rural domestic violence victims.