How can we include homeless people and people who need a second chance in life, people who were racially seen down, previous veterans and people with disability and most importantly the First Nations community into our own community?

My project is called the Harbor of Hope, because it includes everyone of all ages, backgrounds, and race. Harbor stands for somewhere protective, safe and somewhere even I would feel comfortable being in, and most importantly somewhere I can call home. Hope stands for the courage to try again, make mistakes in life, stand back up, try again and to accomplish your goals and believe in yourself.

This complex I designed makes life easier for people who were once homeless, people who previously have fought for us, people who want a racially inclusive community, people who suffer from disabilities and for those who want to be able to call this place home, feel safe, and included in this community.

This project I have made is a prototype of what I would envision this complex to be, shaped, and what I think would be most suitable for my environment (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and to the nearby community and society.

Tools:

1. Scissors
2. Hot glue
3. Hot glue gun
4. Wood sticks
5. Cardboard
6. Knife for cutting the wood sticks
7. Paper and Pen/pencil
8. Image for cover generated by ChatGPT for Realistic Presentation (visualizing in detail)
9. TinkerCAD for simple design to build off of
10. Images of the Human Rights museum and the St Boniface Cathedral was taken when I went to the Forks, where First Nations people and Europeans used to do the Fur Trade.

Sources:

1. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/state-of-the-inner-city-report-winnipeg-crisis-1.723122
2. https://waapihk.com/2023/03/31/the-challenges-of-on-reserve-housing-in-manitoba
3. https://u-channel.ca/social-isolation-is-one-of-the-most-significant-challenges-facing-seniors-in-winnipeg/
4. https://atstimber.com.au/what-is-lvl-timber/
5. https://multiworkstimber.com/lvl-timber-applications-benefits-and-types/
6. https://www.insulspan.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-sip-roof/
7. https://www.sips.org/what-are-sips
8. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=axkEtZivnV4&pp=ygUII2p1c3RpY2Y%3D
9. https://www.foxblocks.com/blog/benefits-of-icf-construction
10. https://www.superformicf.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-using-icf-foundations-for-construction-projects/

What are some challenges in Winnipeg?

Winnipeg is a culturally rich and diverse city, but like many urban centers, it faces significant social and systemic challenges that impact vulnerable populations. Below are some of the key issues affecting the city:

1. Homelessness

Homelessness remains a serious concern in Winnipeg. I have witnessed over the years living here as a child that hundreds of individuals are unhoused or barely have a stable shelter to live in, often facing extreme conditions, especially during the city’s harsh winters, which have reached lower than -30 degrees celsius before, and as someone who grew up in Winnipeg, it’s really cold. The root causes include a shortage of affordable housing, mental health and addiction issues, poverty within the city, and systemic barriers in access to healthcare and social services for those who are homeless and might not have a ID. Emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and outreach services are active in Winnipeg, but demand continues to outpace capacity. Long-term solutions, such as "Housing First" models, are increasingly being prioritized, but we need more solutions, which is why I am here today.

2. Challenges Facing First Nations and Indigenous Communities

Winnipeg is home to one of the largest urban Indigenous populations in Canada, like the Red River Métis, and North Dakota. I acknowledge that I am on treaty no. 1 territory, which is the land of the anishinaabe, cree, oji cree, and Red River Métis, and I work towards reconciliation of the past. However, many Indigenous individuals face disproportionate levels of poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, and barriers to education and healthcare; outcomes that are tied to the lasting impacts of colonialism, residential schools, and systemic racism which still exists today. Efforts toward reconciliation include Indigenous-led service organizations, cultural revitalization programs, land-based education, and policy advocacy. However, significant disparities remain and require sustained commitment from all levels of government and society and help from people like me and you.

3. Issues Affecting the Elderly Population

Many seniors in Winnipeg face challenges such as social isolation (which is a major problem here), reduced mobility, fixed incomes, and limited access to healthcare and community services. As the population ages, there is increasing demand for age-friendly infrastructure, accessible housing, and in-home support services which are way less common and less affordable. Programs such as meal deliveries, companionship visits, and transportation assistance help reduce these burdens, but accessibility and affordability to these services and needs remain concerns.

4. Support for Veterans

A number of veterans here in Winnipeg experience lots difficulties transitioning to civilian life, often due to physical disabilities from service, psychological trauma (such as PTSD), and lack of employment opportunities. Some veterans also face homelessness or/and housing insecurity. While support exists through organizations such as Veterans Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion, gaps in mental health services, affordable housing, and long-term support systems continue to affect the well-being of many former service members.

Overall Issues:

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted and collaborative approach involving government, non-profit organizations, community members, and those with lived experience. Sustainable solutions must focus on housing, mental health, culturally appropriate services, accessibility, and reconciliation. Winnipeg’s future as an inclusive and equitable city depends on how effectively these issues are acknowledged and addressed.

Overall Floor Planning:

First floor:

1. Community kitchen and dining area for events and accessible dining for people with disabilities and the elderly
2. Health and wellness room (visiting nurse or counselor)
3. Indigenous cultural space (for ceremony, artwork, elders' gatherings)
4. Laundry room for easy access for the elderly
5. Multipurpose room (workshops, elder storytelling, support groups) also for gatherings and events, to socialize elders, and make them less lonely and isolated
6. Outdoor ground level area, for elders going outside in courtyard and garden

Second floor to the Fifth floor:

1. ~8–10 units per floor (total ~32–40 units)
2. Mix of:
3. Studio apartments (for homeless individuals transitioning to stability)
4. 1-bedroom units (for seniors or veterans needing privacy)
5. 2-bedroom units (for small families or care partners)
6. Soundproofing and natural light prioritized (windows)
7. Each floor includes:
8. Small lounge area for small social spaces
9. Shared kitchen (for those who want to cook communally)
10. Emergency call buttons and support intercom for the elder and disabled

Roof:

1. Can consist of a rooftop patio for meditation, exercice for children, events, and saves space
2. Solar panels can be both on the roof and on the sides of the building, for green energy (environmental impact) and to save and improve affordability over the long term

Construction Materials impact:

There are many options for construction material, at first, I thought that 3D printing cement would be a cost effective and quick solution for this complex, but in winter here, temperatures can drop below 20 degrees celsius. 3D printing the complex would require tons of extra insulation which will effect the overall goal, so after some research I found out that ICFs or Insulated Concrete Forms were a much more practical solution instead. I have listed many other solutions for things at first I never thought I would use or needed on this journey.

After some research, I will list some of the options that I would recommend to use, based on cost, efficiency, and comfort for the residents. I will list reason to use it, alternative and some things to keep in mind.

Walls and structure: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Description:

ICFs are hollow foam blocks that are stacked like bricks and filled with reinforced concrete. The resulting wall combines insulation and structural strength in one system.

Reasons to Use:

1. High thermal insulation (R-22 to R-30), making it critical for Winnipeg’s climate here, and better than 3D printing insulation for cold weathers, although you can use 3D printing if you live in a more warmer climate over all four seasons
2. Airtight and energy-efficient, reducing heating demand by up to 50% (from what I searched)
3. Soundproof, fire-resistant, and mold-resistant which significantly effects the effectiveness and long term performance
4. Faster build time compared to traditional wood framing, which is essentially important for quick construction
5. Minimal maintenance over time, long lifespan (50+ years or so)

Cost Considerations to keep in mind:

While slightly higher in initial material cost, ICF construction significantly reduces long-term operating costs due to lower energy use and durability efficiency, which is also good for the environment.

Alternative:

Traditional concrete block with interior insulation is more familiar to some contractors but provides lower thermal performance and requires more labor thus making it colder in winters, which supposedly isn’t good.

Roofing material: SIP Roof Panels (Structural Insulated Panels)

Description:

Prefabricated panels made from OSB (oriented strand board) and a rigid foam core, used in roof systems to provide structure and insulation is a good option for insulating heat in winters. Keep in mind that it’s airtightness is not always a good thing, it is equally important to install good air conditioning and HVAC systems. (At first I didn’t even know what to use! So I am also learning a ton in this instructable)

Reasons I would use this:

1. High thermal resistance (R-30 to R-50)
2. Reduced thermal bridging compared to rafters
3. Fast installation, which lowers labor costs greatly
4. Ideal for sloped roof designs that shed snow effectively, or if I want a patio, I can create a heating system that melts the snow and then drains the water

Alternative:

Engineered truss systems with batt or blown-in cellulose insulation are lower-cost but take longer to install and are more prone to air leakage which isn’t awesome in cold climates.

Flooring and/or Frame: Engineered Wood (LVL or LSL)

Description:

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and laminated strand lumber (LSL) are manufactured wood products that are stronger and more stable than conventional lumber. In modern buildings and homes, Laminated veneer lumber flooring and frames are getting more and more common, even your home might use it! Like the one I showed in the pictures it what it looks like in my apartment. And it’s been standing for a while.

Reasons I would use here, compared to other materials, or non laminated wood:

1. More dimensionally stable, less prone to warping or shrinking over time during the seasons,
2. Allows for longer spans and flexible interior layouts
3. Sustainable when sourced from certified forests
4. Reduces construction waste due to predictable sizes and strength

Alternative:

Conventional dimensional lumber is familiar and slightly cheaper but requires more material, generates more waste, and is more vulnerable to seasonal expansion/contraction over long terms.

Things to Do for the Economy:

1. Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives for healthier indoor air and more eco friendly
2. Recycled steel or wood for non-load-bearing interior components
3. Reclaimed wood accents in shared spaces for aesthetic and cultural significance (Cedar as ancestral medicine) There are lots of Cedar trees here in Manitoba, like the one in the picture I took is a White Cedar tree in our courtyard.
4. Rainwater management system integrated into site design, possibly integrate with collection, and filtration to use in some places, such as laundry, and others.

Some Designs I made

First of all, I am going to inform you that I am not an architect (sorry) and I am going with my instincts and some things I have learned over the years. So please forgive me if any of my drawings have mistakes, or inaccuracies (although if you spot anything wrong, tell me please!) I have designed the lower floor, or below ground level, where the laundry room is, nurse’s office, or therapy office, a gym for easy access to those who want to stay home and be healthy (also more cost effective, rather than going to buy gym memberships over the long term, especially for the elderly who want to exercise often), the main ground floor I added the kitchen, a event room, and other things. I have tried to add stairs more evenly across the halls and building, so that it will be more easily accessible.

Here is the TinkerCAD design link: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/0ahglKgfglT-harbor-of-hope?sharecode=GvqV3HWnrtol1ifqSrDjOWzEUAtdZI4odDhURvOYZeo

It’s a simple version of what I envision the complex to be, I am not a great 3D modelist, so I didn’t really add any extra details, for me, I prefer the KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) rule, or just KIS.

Cons or things I worry about my design:

I have not yet implemented any standards or requirements from the government that are required to be in place for buildings here, and I just build from what I think our community needs, and always, everyone can adjust things accordingly to make it work, so feel free to edit anything you learned here, and I would be glad to learn new things! I would greatly appreciate feedback on designs and ideas, plus additional thoughts.

P.S I have used Canadian English, for example “Center” is spelt “Centre” here in Canada. Just to clear some confusion you might have.

Physical Design:

My physical design includes the main floor, and what the second to fifth floors would look like (the second and fifth floor have same structuring and will not change). The building shape will be like a U, so that the middle there is space for an outdoors garden, or courtyard. I used wooden skewers to act like supports, and each layer of cardboard acts like a floor.