No place like home: reclaiming historic urban spaces into a community of care

Abstract

This architectural thesis explores the adaptive reuse of an abandoned site surrounding an existing church, repurposing it for community programs and surrounding it with intergenerational, low-income, and accessible housing. This project reimagines the church site as a vibrant community anchor, preserving cultural heritage while integrating essential services and medical staff, and providing public amenities. Through sustainable design and intentional land use, the proposal establishes a resilient model of housing and healing that strengthens social connection and supports diverse populations. By integrating therapeutic design principles with existing architectural design theories, this study will propose a new framework for community care that is both adaptive and human-centered, redefining how built environments can enhance quality of life for individuals within the community. It challenges conventional housing models by demonstrating how the built environment can serve as a platform for healing and social cohesion.