Biophilic Community Recovery Ecosystem

Hello, I’m SK, a junior at Ballantyne Ridge High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. I have a strong passion for CAD and design, and I currently serve as one of the lead designers for my FTC robotics team, Circuit Breaker 21829. I enjoy competing in CAD competitions because they offer a chance to challenge myself and improve my skills. For this project, I designed a disaster recovery ecosystem focused on helping survivors heal mentally and emotionally after natural disasters through sustainable architecture, modular housing, nature-focused spaces, and long-term recovery systems.

Materials :

-Gorilla glue super glue

-CraftSmart paint

-Brushes

-Natrure props

-Fake grass

-Fake moss

Tools:

-Pencil

-Inch tape/ a ruler

-A marker

-Some thing pointy to spread the super glue

-Gloves

-Scissors

-Ruler

-Eraser

-paper

Software:

-Fusion

-Bambu studio

Hardware:

-laptop

-3D printer

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and surrounding communities along the Gulf Coast, becoming one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. I remember watching footage of entire neighborhoods submerged underwater as families stood stranded on rooftops waiting for rescue. Seeing thousands of people lose their homes, schools, businesses, and community spaces was heartbreaking. Over 1,800 people lost their lives, and more than one million residents were displaced because their homes and neighborhoods could not withstand the flooding caused by the hurricane. These devastating disasters leave millions of people emotionally traumatized and struggling to recover long after the physical destruction is gone. Many survivors lose not only their homes, but also their sense of safety and belonging, making it difficult for vulnerable families to rebuild their lives and recover emotionally.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes destroy far more than buildings and infrastructure. They leave entire communities displaced, emotionally traumatized, and struggling to recover long after the disaster has passed. After events like Hurricane Katrina, thousands of families were left without stable shelter, access to resources, or safe community spaces where they could begin rebuilding their lives.

Organizations and emergency response teams worked to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance after Hurricane Katrina, but many communities still struggled to recover years after the disaster. Thousands of families were left displaced, and overcrowded emergency shelters often lacked the resources and support needed for long term recovery. For survivors already facing poverty or housing insecurity, the flooding and destruction made rebuilding their lives even more difficult, leaving many people without stable housing, emotional support, or safe community spaces to recover.

Many emergency shelters are only designed to address the immediate damage that is visible, such as providing food, water, and temporary housing. While these resources help survivors with surface level problems, they often fail to support the much deeper long term psychological and emotional recovery that many people experience after living through a disaster. Many survivors experience post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional isolation after these events. This trauma can stay with survivors for long periods of time, making recovery even more difficult and emotionally devastating. One of the biggest factors that worsens these mental health issues is the feeling of isolation. After disasters, families are often displaced for weeks, months, or even years while neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community spaces remain destroyed. With so much of their daily lives suddenly gone, many survivors are left feeling disconnected from their communities, which can make emotional recovery even more difficult.

Research supports the long term mental health impacts of natural disasters on survivors. According to a systematic review published through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 30% and 40% of direct disaster survivors experience symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the first year after a disaster. The study also found that survivors who experience displacement, loss of property, and disruption of their communities are at a significantly greater risk of developing long term mental health challenges. These findings demonstrate that the effects of disasters extend far beyond physical destruction and highlight the importance of providing spaces that support emotional recovery and community healing.

Although emergency shelters are essential during disasters, many are not designed to support long term recovery or help communities rebuild social connections. Most temporary shelters are overcrowded, stressful, and lack spaces that promote emotional healing, privacy, or community interaction. As a result, many survivors are left without environments that help them feel safe, supported, and connected during the recovery process. This creates a need for resilient community spaces that can provide both emergency assistance and long term emotional support after disasters occur.

Community center:

'To better address the challenges survivors face after natural disasters, I am going to create a community centre that supports both emergency response and long term emotional recovery after disasters. To determine the best ways to address mental health concerns after disasters, I conducted thorough research on what types of spaces and features should be included and how they can be designed to effectively support emotional recovery.

The reason I chose a community center is because it is a place where people can build community and feel a sense of connection. This space can also help people recover emotionally after disasters by providing support, safety, and opportunities to interact with others.

In times of crisis, many people lose not only their homes but also their sense of stability and belonging. A community center can serve as a safe environment where people can gather, access resources, and rebuild relationships.I also want my design to focus on affordability, sustainability, and modular construction so support spaces and shelters can be built quickly after disasters occur, allowing affected communities to receive immediate assistance while providing safe and supportive environments for survivors.

Trauma Informed Design:

After researching, I found that the way a building looks and feels can play a major role in the emotional recovery of survivors. Because of this, I looked further into what types of architectural designs and environments are most effective in reducing stress and supporting mental healing after traumatic events. This approach is commonly known as trauma informed design.

According to the article “Supporting Health, Well-Being, and Safety Through Trauma-Informed Design” by Bonny Slater, trauma informed design focuses on creating spaces that feel safe, calming, welcoming, and easy to navigate in order to better support people recovering from traumatic experiences. The research emphasized the importance of visual clarity, natural lighting, quiet spaces, inclusivity, and connections to nature in reducing stress and emotional isolation. It also explained how features such as healing gardens, meditation spaces, calming color palettes, and community gathering areas can help survivors feel more emotionally supported during recovery.

Through analyzing architectural designs focused on trauma relief and post disaster recovery, I was able to determine the specific architectural features needed to create a supportive recovery environment. These features include healing gardens, meditation and quiet spaces, large windows for natural lighting, open community gathering areas, calming interior color palettes, and clear building layouts that make spaces feel safe, welcoming, and easy to navigate for survivors recovering after natural disasters.

Biophilic Design:

One of the biggest concepts I want to incorporate into my design of the community center is biophilic design, which focuses on connecting people with nature through natural lighting, greenery, open spaces, and sustainable materials. This can help create a calming and healing environment for people recovering after disasters.

A study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that biophilic design elements such as natural lighting, indoor plants, green spaces, and views of nature helped reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions in healthcare environments. The research also showed that patients with access to nature experienced faster emotional recovery and improved psychological well-being. Another study conducted in a Norwegian mental health facility found that patients felt calmer, safer, and more emotionally supported in spaces designed with nature-focused and biophilic elements. Researchers concluded that these environments helped patients feel more open to recovery and therapeutic treatment. Incorporating this design into my community house will allow me to create a safe, calming, and supportive environment that helps people emotionally recover and reconnect with their community after disasters.

Some of the characteristics of a Biophilic Design include incorporating vines, plants, moss, and other natural elements throughout both the exterior and interior of the building. These features help create a stronger connection to nature and contribute to a calmer and more comforting environment for survivors, similar to the example shown below.

Community Spaces:

To support people’s mental health and help them recover after disasters, I plan to incorporate community spaces throughout the center. Community centers are known for providing support services and bringing people together during difficult times. After disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, many people were left stranded without resources, shelter, or emotional support. Similarly, after many natural disasters, communities are often left devastated and disconnected.

To help people recover, the community center will include recovery facilities and safe gathering spaces where individuals and families can receive support, rebuild connections, and regain a sense of stability. Multiple features will be implemented to support emotional recovery, community interaction, and overall well-being during the rebuilding process.

First, I will implement outdoor reflection gardens filled with beautiful flowers, greenery, and natural elements. These gardens will create a calming connection to nature and provide people with a peaceful environment during recovery. Individuals will be able to walk through the gardens, relax on benches, and spend time outdoors in a space similar to a park. The natural atmosphere can help reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and encourage social interaction within the community.

The gardens will also include spaces designed for children and families. There will be play areas, study spaces, and family gathering zones where children can relax, reconnect, and regain a sense of normalcy after disasters. These family-centered spaces will help strengthen community bonds and create a more supportive and welcoming environment for recovery.

Second, I will implement mental health and wellness areas throughout the community center. These spaces will include quiet rooms, meditation areas, and therapy or counseling spaces where people can relax and emotionally recover after traumatic disasters. The calming environment will provide individuals with privacy, comfort, and support while helping reduce stress and anxiety. These wellness spaces will also encourage emotional healing and help community members regain a sense of stability during the recovery process.

Living Areas:

After a disaster, as stated earlier, many people are often left stranded and may lose their homes or safe places to stay. To support these individuals, the community center will provide temporary housing and safe shelter while families and individuals work to rebuild their lives and stabilize their situations. While staying at the center, residents will also have access to the various community facilities, wellness spaces, and support services provided throughout the building. These resources will help people recover emotionally from the trauma they experienced and create a supportive environment focused on healing, stability, and community connection.

Sustainable and Resilient deign:

The entire structure will incorporate sustainable features to reduce environmental impact and improve long-term efficiency. These sustainable systems will help the community center remain environmentally friendly while still supporting people recovering after disasters.

- Solar Panels - Solar panels will provide renewable energy to power parts of the community center. This will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower electricity costs during long-term operation.

- Rainwater Collection Systems - Rainwater collection systems will gather and store rainwater that can be reused for irrigation and other non-drinking purposes. This helps conserve water and improves sustainability.

- Natural Ventilation - The building will use natural airflow and open spaces to reduce the need for excessive air conditioning. This can improve air quality while lowering energy consumption.

- Recycled Materials - Recycled and sustainable building materials will be used throughout the structure to reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint of construction.

- Natural Light Incorporation - The building will include multiple windows and large glass areas that allow natural light to easily enter the facility. This will reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed throughout the day, helping lower energy consumption while also creating a brighter and more welcoming environment for survivors.

Incorporating these sustainable elements will help lower energy consumption, reduce waste, and create a more environmentally friendly space while still supporting the needs of the community after disasters.

Maker Space:

The community center will include a maker space where survivors can express their creativity and support their mental health during recovery. Individuals will be able to work on personal projects, participate in creative activities, and distract themselves from stress and trauma in a positive way. The maker space will encourage learning, creativity, collaboration, and emotional healing through hands-on activities and community engagement. It will also give survivors a sense of purpose and normalcy during recovery by allowing them to create, build, and explore new skills in a supportive environment. Additionally, it will also help reduce stress and anxiety after disasters.

Vertical Farm:

The community center will include a vertical farm that supports sustainable growth and food production within the facility. The vertical farm will allow fresh and natural food to be grown locally while reducing the need for outside transportation and resources. In addition, the space will help promote sustainability, renewable practices, and environmental awareness throughout the community center. The vertical farm will be located within a dedicated room designed to support plant growth while also creating a natural and calming environment inside the building.

Constraint 1: Shelter Limitation

After a devastating disaster, many people are often stranded and lose their homes, apartments, and safe places to stay. One major challenge communities face after disasters is providing enough shelter and temporary housing for the large number of affected people. Because so many individuals may need support at the same time, available shelters can quickly become overcrowded, leaving many people without access to safe housing during the recovery process. Having no areas to stay can leave survivors stranded and forced to live in stressful and unstable conditions for long periods of time while communities work to rebuild. This can increase feelings of fear, anxiety, and trauma, making recovery even more difficult for those affected.

Constraint 2: Energy Access

After a disaster, access to electricity and power may become very limited due to damaged infrastructure and power outages. In addition, because many people may be staying in the community center at the same time, the demand for electricity will be extremely high. Residents will need power for lighting, charging devices, communication, heating or cooling systems, medical equipment, and other daily necessities. Providing enough reliable energy for a large number of people during recovery can become a major challenge for the community center.

Constraint 3: Accessibility

Many people are injured after disasters, making accessibility a major challenge for the community center. Individuals with injuries or disabilities may struggle to move throughout the facility, especially when large numbers of people are seeking shelter and support at the same time. Ensuring the center can accommodate everyone during emergency situations can become difficult.

To ensure the center is able to accommodate as many people as possible and provide shelter during disasters, modular portable shelters will be implemented throughout the design. These shelters can be quickly constructed and expanded when additional housing is needed. Because they are modular, they can easily connect and integrate with existing units, allowing the community center to rapidly increase shelter capacity during emergency situations and better support displaced individuals and families.

However, trying to provide large numbers of shelters can become very expensive and difficult to construct quickly after disasters. To ensure the modular shelters remain affordable and easy to implement, I needed to find a material and construction process that is both cost-effective and efficient. After thorough research, I decided to use 3D-printed modular shelter components that can be produced off-site in controlled environments and transported whenever additional shelters are needed. Using 3D printing allows the shelter parts to be manufactured more quickly while reducing material waste and labor costs. The modular components can then be easily assembled and connected on-site, allowing the community center to rapidly expand shelter capacity for displaced individuals and families after disasters.

To solve the energy access crisis, I plan to implement generators that can store and distribute energy produced from the solar panels throughout the community center. During power outages or periods of high energy demand, these generators can provide backup electricity and help keep essential systems running. This will allow residents to continue accessing lighting, communication systems, charging stations, heating or cooling, and other important resources during disaster recovery.

By combining renewable solar energy with backup generators, the community center can maintain a more reliable and sustainable energy supply while supporting the large number of people staying in the facility after disasters.

Disabled Accommodation -To accommodate injured individuals and people with disabilities, the community center will incorporate accessibility and inclusivity features throughout the entire design. The building will include wheelchair-accessible entrances, ramps, elevators, and wide pathways to ensure people can move safely throughout the facility.

Parking Accommodations – The community center will include a properly designed parking lot to accommodate residents, emergency responders, staff, and visitors during disaster recovery situations. The parking area will allow easier access to the facility while also supporting transportation, supply delivery, and emergency services during times of need.

Now that I have determined all the characteristics of the community center, I need to find a location for it. Some factors I need to ensure the site meets are that it is accessible for people, allowing them to easily visit the community center for activities and connect with nature. While it is accessible for survivors, it also needs to be located inland where it is safer from disasters. In addition, the location should support long-term recovery and contain existing infrastructure and community resources.

The first location we looked at was Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge was considered because it is located inland while still remaining close to many Gulf Coast communities that are frequently impacted by hurricanes and flooding. This allows survivors from affected areas to more easily access the community center during long-term recovery efforts. In addition, Baton Rouge contains existing infrastructure, transportation systems, healthcare facilities, and community resources that can help support recovery and rebuilding after disasters occur.

The second location that was considered was Shreveport. Shreveport was explored because it is located farther inland and has a lower risk of being directly impacted by hurricanes and coastal flooding. This would allow the community center to remain safer during future disasters while still supporting survivors throughout the recovery process.

Finally, I selected Baton Rouge as the location because it met most of the requirements for the site. Baton Rouge is located inland while still remaining accessible to many hurricane-prone Gulf Coast communities, allowing survivors to more easily reach the community center during long-term recovery efforts. The reason Shreveport was not selected was due to its location being farther away from many hurricane-prone Gulf Coast communities, making it less accessible for displaced residents and recovery support.

With this Gulf Coast region’s high vulnerability to hurricanes, I decided to create a community center that helps people recover from psychological trauma after disasters. After seeing the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the psychological and mental health of survivors and communities, I believed a space focused on long-term healing and recovery was necessary for future hurricanes and natural disasters.

The project will include one main community center in the middle of the site along with multiple housing units to accommodate displaced residents, it will also have parks and communal areas. Together, these spaces help create a recovery ecosystem that supports long-term healing, sustainability, community connection, and rebuilding after disasters occur. The goal of this project is to help people recover mentally from disasters, reconnect with nature, and overcome emotional trauma caused by these events. The project will also include another building called the Resilience Hub, which will contain the generators, water collection and filtration systems, emergency supply storage, maker spaces, woodworking areas, music and media rooms, and other important community, recovery, and operational spaces that help support long-term recovery efforts after disasters.

The community center will include modular and deployable housing units, allowing additional units to be added if more accommodations are needed. The modular housing units will be built using 3D-printed concrete to help ensure affordability, durability, and faster construction. The site will also incorporate solar panels and greenery throughout the design to support renewable energy while helping residents reconnect with nature. The main goal of the project is not to primarily provide housing or shelter, but to help survivors recover mentally and emotionally after disasters. However, housing will still be available for necessities and emergency situations that may occur during the recovery process.

The Resilience Hub is a secondary building designed to support the long-term operation, sustainability, and recovery functions of the community center. While the main community center focuses on healing and wellness, the Resilience Hub contains the systems and activity spaces that help the recovery ecosystem continue functioning after disasters occur. Separating these functions into another building helps reduce overcrowding, improve organization throughout the site, and create a calmer environment inside the main community center while still supporting creativity, learning, rebuilding, and long-term recovery efforts.

There will be multiple communal spaces where people can meet, socialize, relax, and reconnect with society after disasters. These areas will include parks, a large greenhouse, outdoor gathering spaces, walking paths, and children’s play areas. Inside the community center, survivors will have access to amenities such as counseling rooms, meditation areas, quiet rooms, skylights and natural lighting, communal gathering spaces, and maker spaces that encourage creativity, learning, and recovery.

Now that the research and the planning phase is complete, we can start putting our ideas on paper. The supplies you will need will be:

- Ruler

- Pencil

- Eraser

- paper

When having paper references it makes the process of CADing much easier, because then you can visualize the design details and make calculations based on them. Make sure to use a ruler so that the lines are straight and the drawing looks clean and accurate.

For my community center drawing, I want to include the features I talked about before, but along with that, I also want to focus on other important elements. I want to add architectural features that help create a calming, welcoming, and healing environment for survivors while also making the building feel modern, open, and connected with nature.

a) Main building

This is the basic sketch of the body of the community center. This deing encapsulated all the requirements that i had put in place for the community center, it had the modern look to it while have areas for the biophilic design. It also has large windows to allow as much natural light in as possible and reduce the usage of lights.

b) Adding the Raised structure

I added a raised structure on the roof with surrounding windows that allows more natural light to enter the building while creating a more open and modern architectural design. This feature also helps create better views and make the interior spaces feel brighter and more connected to the outdoors.

c) Adding the meditation bay

I added the meditation bay in the back, which is located above the vertical farm area. The meditation bay is an open space designed to allow people to meditate while being surrounded by nature and greenery. This space helps create a calm and peaceful environment that supports relaxation, emotional healing, and mental recovery after disasters while also allowing residents to feel more connected to nature and the environment surrounding them.

For the housing structure, the main idea is to use modular housing units. Each module will contain four housing units, creating one complete floor. The modular units can also be stacked on top of each other to increase the number of available housing units when additional accommodations are needed. These units will be built using 3D-printed concrete, allowing the structures to remain strong, resilient, and affordable. In addition, the modules will be prefabricated off-site, making the setup process faster and more efficient through easy assembly and deployment after disasters occur. On the last module there will be a roof added that will have solar panels on them.

a) General structure

I created the general shape of what the front of the housing unit would look like. As shown in the sketch, there is a middle passageway that acts as the main entrance and shared access area. On both the right and left sides of the passageway, there are two housing units, creating four units in total within each modular structure. This layout allows the housing units to remain compact, organized, and easily expandable while still providing accessible living spaces for residents.

b) Add the details

This is the front view of the housing unit with added shading and architectural details. As shown in the design, there are housing units located on both the right and left sides, with additional units positioned behind them as well. This layout allows each modular structure to contain four housing units while maintaining a compact arrangement that can easily be expanded when additional housing is needed by adding another unit above them.

c) Top view

This is the top view of the housing module, with four units. This is a better view, so that it's easy to understand how the units are organized to form on the floor.

d) Final look

This is the view showing two modular units stacked on top of each other, increasing the total number of housing units to eight. The design demonstrates how the modular structures can be expanded vertically to provide additional accommodations when needed. You can also see the roof that will be added to the structure, which includes solar panels to support renewable energy and help power the housing units sustainably.

The Resilience Hub is a secondary building designed to support the long-term operation, sustainability, and recovery functions of the community center. It helps the site function more efficiently and sustainably after disasters occur while also providing spaces that support creativity, learning, rebuilding, and community engagement during the recovery process. Separating these functions from the main community center also helps create a calmer and less overcrowded healing environment for survivors.

The structure of the Resilience Hub will be modular for efficiency, allowing additional units to be built quickly and efficiently if more accommodations or operational space are needed in the future. The modular design also helps improve affordability by simplifying construction and deployment. The building also incorporates a flat roof design that allows space for solar panels and other sustainable systems to support renewable energy throughout the site. Large windows and openings were incorporated throughout the structure to allow more natural light into the building, helping create a brighter and calmer environment. In addition, the elevated siding design was added to create visual depth and architectural detail while also improving airflow, shading, and the modern appearance of the building.

a) General structure

This is the general structure of how the Resilience Hub will look. As shown in the sketch, the front two units of the hub are elevated to create a more open and modern architectural design while also adding visual depth to the structure. There is a middle passageway that allows people to enter the building and access the different units and spaces within the hub.

b) Add the details

This is the final drawing with the added details. It is now more clear how the units are elevated and where the entrance is located. There are also large windows throughout the structure that allow natural light to enter the building, helping create a brighter and more open environment inside the Resilience Hub.

c) Top view

This is the top view of the Resilience Hub. This view gives a better understanding of how the building is structured and organized. As shown in the sketch, the components for the rainwater storage and generator systems are located toward the back of the building, allowing the operational systems to remain separated from the main activity and community spaces within the hub.

Now that all the ideas are put on the paper, we can start bringing the designs to life using the power of CAD. For this project, the software we will use will be Fusion 360, it’s a software created by Autodesk. Fusion is known for its extremely smooth CADing experience and its user-friendly interface.

Learning Fusion 360 wasn’t too complicated, especially because my previous experience used another Autodesk software called ThinkerCad, along with other CAD softwares. While I still had to learn some of the new tools and their shortcuts by watching a bunch of youtube tutorials, the process was still enjoyable and helpful. Autodesk also offers a web page with a downloadable desk mat which lists all the Fusion 360 keyboard shortcuts. This resource was especially helpful as I was getting familiar with all the shortcuts.

Autodesk desk mat:

Source:https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/images/autodesk-fusion-shorcuts-deskmat-1.png?_gl=1*1jt90jp*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTAxOTgyNTIuQ2p3S0NBandwTVRDQmhBLUVpd0FfLU1zbVJpWVA0Vzl1bW1vLVFMUkprd3pEa0FvODhWd21vVkllVG5zU1d1c0xrcmk3OUk5T1NQTm14b0N6cHdRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4MjU0MjIyMy4xNzQ5OTAyNTk1*FPAU*MTY0MDg3NDk3Mi4xNzQ5OTAyNTk1*_ga*OTg1NjEzMjUzLjE3NDk5MDI1OTQ.*_ga_NZSJ72N6RX*czE3NTAzOTQwNjMkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzUwMzk0MTM2JGo1OCRsMCRoMA..

These are the youtube videos that used to get familiar with fusion 360:

LINK 1:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyFbIpzzxFE

LINK 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZnHQTPP-Ps

Now that we have a proper idea of how all the structures will look, we can begin the CADing process. First, we will begin with the main community center. Before we start changing the units to. The vertical fins were added to provide architectural rhythm, shading, airflow, and visual texture while helping unify the modern design language used throughout the project. The curved architectural elements help soften the overall structure and create a calmer, more welcoming environment that contrasts with the rigid geometry often associated with emergency shelters and disaster recovery spaces. The large glazed areas were designed to maximize natural lighting, improve visibility toward outdoor green spaces, and strengthen the connection between occupants and nature during recovery. The open entrance and passage areas help improve circulation throughout the community center while creating gathering spaces where residents can socialize and reconnect with others during the recovery process. The large overhangs and extended roof structures were incorporated to create shaded outdoor areas that improve comfort and encourage people to spend more time outdoors and connected with nature. The overall architectural design focuses on openness, natural lighting, curved forms, and environmental connection to create a calmer and less stressful environment compared to traditional emergency shelters. In the back of the community center, you can see the vertical farm area, which was incorporated to support sustainability and provide a stronger connection to nature throughout the site. The vertical farm has many windows and uses a circular design to allow more natural light to enter the space while creating a more open and calming environment.

The roof of the community center was designed to create a more open and modern architectural appearance while also supporting the healing-focused environment of the project. The large angled roof structure helps direct natural light deeper into the building through the Observation Wing, which is surrounded by windows that overlook the surrounding environment and nature. Inside the Observation Wing, there will be multiple rooms and spaces designed for relaxation, reflection, wellness activities, and quiet gathering areas for survivors. The roof also incorporates open spaces and flat sections that allow room for sustainable systems such as solar panels and rainwater collection. In addition, the layered and curved roof forms help break up the large scale of the building, creating a calmer and more welcoming design that feels less overwhelming for survivors during the recovery process.

The next step in the CADing process is creating the meditation bay located in the back section of the main community center above the vertical farm area. The meditation bay uses a circular and open design to create a calmer and more peaceful environment that allows residents to reconnect with nature during recovery. The meditation bay also includes large openings and window sections that allow more natural light and airflow into the space while creating stronger views toward the surrounding environment and greenery. The airflow throughout the meditation bay allows survivors to feel more connected with the surrounding environment and nature during the healing process.

The next step in the CADing process is creating the main body of the living module. The housing structure uses a modular layout that contains four living units connected through a shared middle passageway. This design allows the modules to remain compact, organized, and easily expandable when additional housing is needed after disasters occur. Large windows and openings were incorporated throughout the structure to allow more natural light into the units while helping residents feel more connected to the surrounding environment. The vertical fins and exterior detailing were added to provide shading, airflow, and architectural texture throughout the housing modules. In the CAD model, you can see the four units located on each floor, which represents the modular design of the housing structure. Each module contains four living units, and when additional living space is required, new modules can be deployed and stacked on top of each other to increase the number of available housing units.

The next step in the CADing process is creating the roof for the living modules. The roofs use a unique slanted design with a split in the middle that allows more sunlight to enter through the upper windows and into the living spaces below. The angled roof design also creates space for the placement of solar panels to support renewable energy throughout the site. In addition, the slanted roofs help redirect rainwater toward the water collection system, supporting the sustainability and long-term functionality of the recovery ecosystem.

This is the complete digital view of how the living modules will look when multiple modules are stacked on top of each other. The design demonstrates the modularity of the housing structures and shows how additional units can easily be added when more accommodations are needed after disasters occur.

The next step in the CADing process is creating the Resilience Hub, which is the secondary building that supports the long-term recovery systems and operations of the community center. While the main community center focuses more on healing and wellness, the Resilience Hub focuses on sustainability, creativity, and operational support throughout the recovery ecosystem.

The structure uses a modular and modern architectural design that allows the building to remain efficient, expandable, and affordable if additional operational space is needed in the future. The front units of the building are elevated to create more visual depth and openness throughout the structure while also helping separate the different spaces within the hub. The elevated design also helps protect the structure from potential water damage during floods and hurricanes. A central passageway was incorporated into the middle of the building to improve circulation and accessibility between the different units.

Large windows and openings were added throughout the structure to allow more natural light into the building while creating a brighter and calmer interior environment. The vertical exterior detailing and fins help provide shading, airflow, privacy, and architectural texture throughout the design. In addition, the flat roof design creates space for sustainable systems such as solar panels while maintaining the clean and modern appearance of the building.

Above are the three structures rendered using rendering software to provide a more realistic visualization of how the buildings and recovery ecosystem will look once completed.

This sketch shows the general layout of how the recovery ecosystem throughout the property will be organized. The main community center is located toward the top of the site, while the Resilience Hub is placed near the center to allow easier access to the long-term recovery systems and operations throughout the property. The housing units are positioned around the site and connected through pathways and circulation routes, creating a well-connected and organized community layout. This arrangement allows residents to easily access the community center, communal spaces, nature areas, and recovery resources while also encouraging interaction, accessibility, and stronger community connection throughout the recovery process.

This is how the rainwater collection system throughout the community center will function. During rainfall and storms, vents and intake systems placed across the property and on the roofs of the buildings will collect rainwater and redirect it through underground piping systems. The water will then travel toward the large storage tanks located inside the Resilience Hub, where it will be filtered, refined, and stored for future use throughout the site. The collected water can then be reused for irrigation, maintaining greenery, and other non-drinking purposes throughout the recovery ecosystem.

This is how the solar panel system throughout the community center will function. Solar panels will be placed across the property on multiple buildings to maximize the amount of renewable energy collected throughout the site. The solar energy generated from the panels will then be transferred through connected electrical systems toward the Resilience Hub, where the energy will be stored within the generators and solar battery storage units. As shown in the diagram above, the energy collected from the solar panels travels through the system and is stored for later use throughout the recovery ecosystem. This allows the community center to maintain more reliable and sustainable energy during long-term recovery efforts after disasters occur.

The atrium was incorporated into the design to create a larger open gathering space that helps improve circulation, openness, and natural lighting throughout the community center. The curved atrium design helps soften the architectural appearance of the building while creating a calmer and more welcoming environment for survivors during recovery. In addition, the atrium allows stronger visual connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, helping residents feel more connected to nature and the surrounding environment. The open design also creates a communal area where people can gather and reconnect with others during the healing process.

During the design process, I was able to consult with two individuals through online Discord communities who had experience in architecture and environmental design. One individual worked as an architectural designer, while the other had experience in sustainable urban planning and CAD modeling. Based on their feedback, I adjusted the layout of the recovery ecosystem to feel more naturally connected through pathways, communal areas, and nature-focused spaces. Their suggestions also helped improve the placement of the buildings throughout the property to create a calmer environment that better supports healing, accessibility, and long-term recovery after disasters occur.

Building a physical model will be an important part of the design process because it will allow a better visualization of the scale, layout, and overall appearance of the recovery ecosystem in a real-world form. Creating the physical model will help provide a clearer understanding of how the different buildings, pathways, communal spaces, and natural areas connect throughout the site. It will also make it easier to evaluate the architectural design of the structures compared to only viewing them digitally. In addition, the physical model will help improve the presentation of the project by giving a more realistic representation of how the community center and recovery ecosystem would function and look once fully constructed.

I inserted all the parts into Bambu Slicer and was able to print them one by one. The total print time for all the components was approximately 23 hours. Using Bambu Slicer was very helpful throughout the building process because it allowed me to organize all the parts efficiently, calculate the printing time for each component, and better manage the overall printing workflow. This helped make the construction process more efficient and allowed me to plan the assembly and printing of the structures more effectively.

The following files are all the necessary files required to print the Community center

The following files are all the necessary files required to print the Living Modules & the Resilience Hub

After all the parts were printed, I gathered all of them together to ensure that every component was successfully completed and ready for assembly. This also helped me organize the pieces, determine the most efficient order to begin constructing the structures, and identify which parts still needed to be painted and finished before the final assembly process.

Painting the structures was an important part of the building process because it helped make the final model look more realistic, organized, and visually understandable. Adding color and detail to the buildings allowed different architectural features and sections of the recovery ecosystem to stand out more clearly. The painting process also helped create a cleaner and more professional appearance while improving the overall presentation of the project. In addition, using natural and neutral colors throughout the structures helped strengthen the calming and nature-focused atmosphere that supports the overall goal of healing and long-term recovery after disasters.

I assembled the roof sections first so that it would be easier to later attach them onto the main body of the structures during the final assembly process. Building the roof separately also helped improve organization throughout the construction process

This the main body of the community constructed, it gives a glimpse how how it would look.

This is the meditation bay and how it is constructed before being attached to the main body of the community center.

In this step of the building process, the Resilience Hub is assembled. The Resilience Hub was constructed separately from the main community center because it contains the long-term recovery systems and operational spaces that support the overall recovery ecosystem. During assembly, the modular sections of the building were connected together to create the complete structure while maintaining the modern and open architectural design. The elevated front sections, large windows, and central passageway became more visible during this stage, helping show how the building supports accessibility, natural lighting, airflow, and long-term sustainability throughout the site.

During this step, all the sections of the community center were assembled together to create the final main structure of the building. The roof sections that were previously constructed separately were attached onto the main body of the community center, along with the elevated Observation Wing located on top of the roof. I also added biophilic design elements such as moss, greenery, and natural textures throughout the structure to strengthen the connection between the architecture and nature. Greenery was incorporated onto the roofs and surrounding areas of the building to connect back to the project’s focus on healing, sustainability, and environmental connection throughout the recovery ecosystem.

This is all the parts of th housing module and them being socntrucuted and being connted with the other moduel

For the build plate I took the fake grass and laid it over a foam board. After, I used the super glue to stick it on after i got the desired look.

During this step, greenery, trees, plants, and pathways were added throughout the property to help create a more connected and nature-focused recovery ecosystem. The pathways were designed to improve circulation throughout the site while allowing residents to easily move between the community center, housing units, communal spaces, and natural areas. Different types of greenery and landscaping elements were incorporated across the property to strengthen the biophilic design and create a calmer and more welcoming environment for survivors during recovery. The addition of trees, gardens, walking paths, and open green spaces also helps encourage outdoor activity, relaxation, social interaction, and stronger connections with nature throughout the site.

During this step, all the completed structures were placed and assembled onto the final property layout to create the full recovery ecosystem. The main community center, Resilience Hub, housing modules, greenhouse, pathways, and natural areas were organized throughout the site based on the planned ecosystem layout. The placement of the structures helps create a well-connected environment where residents can easily access communal spaces, recovery resources, nature-focused areas, and housing units. Greenery, pathways, and open spaces were also incorporated throughout the property to strengthen the biophilic design and create a calmer and more welcoming atmosphere that supports long-term healing and recovery after disasters occur.

These are the final photos of the completed physical model and the fully assembled recovery ecosystem. The images showcase the overall layout of the property, including the main community center, Resilience Hub, modular housing units, greenhouse, pathways, greenery, and communal spaces. The final model demonstrates how all the structures and natural areas connect together to create a well-organized and nature-focused recovery environment that supports long-term healing, sustainability, and community recovery after disasters occur.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FYiv8vhsU-MbR8lk29S1i5_Y2vibBjZc/view?usp=sharing

This is a short video of the Final Recovery Ecosystem Model

Thank you to my parents for supporting me throughout this entire project and encouraging me during the design and building process. I would also like to thank Autodesk for providing this opportunity to explore my passion for CAD, architecture, and design through this competition.