PRIVACY

A room divider to provide privacy

With A SENSE OF PRIVACY, there was close collaboration with homeless youth to dlve deeper into their needs within a shelter on de Elandsstraat in Amsterdam. As part of ongoing research, funded by the Creative Industries Fund NL in collaboration with Garage2020 and Khani Architects, multiple workshops and sessions were organized in which the voices and experiences of the homeless youth took center stage.

“When I wake up, the first thing I see is my roommate, and I have to check if my blanket is still over me,” said one young person in the shelter, illustrating how the lack of privacy can be a constant source of concern and discomfort.

It is well-known that many young people in such environments face daily struggles with stress and anxiety, especially due to the lack of individual space and privacy in shared bedrooms. By working closely with the homeless youth, we identified which spatial elements could contribute to a sense of calm and ownership. This led to the concept of the room divider, developed through research by design. Together with the youth, we organized the building process, with them taking co-responsibility for their own room divider. The room divider not only provides a sense of privacy but also practical benefits such as additional storage, seating, improved acoustics, and ventilation. The design is modular, making it adaptable to different bedroom layouts and needs.

“It’s very efficient. The plants create a nice atmosphere. Now, I can get up calmly and dress myself,” said a young person in the room. This emphasizes how a relatively simple and modular design can positively impact the daily lives of young people in the shelter.

Program: 4 m²

Completion: 2021

Location: Amsterdam - Elandsstraat

Client: Stimuleringsfonds

Design: A SENSE OF_ and Khani Architecten

Visuals: 3D ontwerp visualisatie

Collaboration: Khani Architecten and Opvang Elandsstraat